Free Great Gatsby Essays: The Ideal Self †Made Man :: Great Gatsby Essays

The Great Gatsby and the Ideal ego Made Man   In the same way that the all-embracing idea of the American Dream suffered certain degradation during the course of its historical development, so, too, the noble 19th century ideal of the self-made man was conveniently change to suit the clean climate of the 1920s. Referring to Fitzgeralds main character in his raw The Great Gatsby, the young James Gatz is obviously modeled in this expectation of personality upon Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), who is often quoted as the earliest example of this occurrence type of homo americanus. As the youngster of a big family he soon went to work for his father, at the age of only ten aft(prenominal) only two years of schooling. After his apprenticeship as a newspaperwoman he concentrated on educating himself trough reading. In 1818 Franklins Autobiography was published, which contains respective(a) enumerations of moral virtues he met with in his reading to arrive at moral perfecti on. His intention was to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, so he arrange it better non to distract his attention by attempting the whole at once, barely to fix on one of them at a time, and if he should be master of that, he would proceed to another, and so on, till he should film gone trough them. These names of virtues, with their precepts, were TemperanceEat not to dullness drink not to elevation. SilenceSpeak not but what may benefit others or yourself avoid trifling conversation. Order permit all your things have their places let each part of your business have its time. ResolutionResolve to perform what you ought perform without fail what you resolve. Frugality founder no expense but do good to others or yourself i.e. hazardous nothing. IndustryLose no time be always employed in something useful cut off all unnecessary actions. unassumingnessUse no hurtful deceit think innocently and justly, and, if you chat, speak accordingly. JusticeWrong none by d oing injuries, or committing the benefits that are your duty. mitigationAvoid extremes forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. Cleanliness place upright no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. TranquilityBe not mad at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. Chastityseldom use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the speck of your own or anothers peace or reputation.