💼 The Self-Made Man: From Rags to Riches 🏰
Definition:
A self-made man is an individual who has achieved significant success through personal effort and perseverance, devoid of any inherited advantages or external assistance. The term gained popularity in the nineteenth century, coinciding with the rise of individual success stories.
Synonyms:
- Self-reliant individual
- Industrious achiever
- Autonomous success
Antonyms:
- Nepotistically privileged
- Silver spoon
- Born with a golden foot in their mouth
Humorous Definition:
A self-made man is one who gleefully pats his own back, better known to his chiropractor than his local bank manager before he struck gold!
Quotes:
- “A self-made man is one who believes in luck and sends his son to Oxford.” – Christina Stead, House of All Nations (1938).
- “Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.” – E. B. White, One Man’s Meat (1944).
Proverbs & Expressions:
- “Success is determined by those who prove the impossible, possible.”
- “Every man is the architect of his own fortune.”
- “No pain, no gain.”
Suggested Literature:
- Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (offers a critical view)
- Rags to Riches: Motivational Classic Lives by various authors
Songs:
- “Started from the Bottom” by Drake
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
- “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship
Movies:
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
- Rocky (1976)
- Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Related & Similar Terms:
- Rags to Riches: The classic narrative of rising from poverty to wealth.
- Bootstrapping: Building success from minimal resources.
- Upstart: A person who has risen suddenly in rank or importance, often dispensing with established norms.
### Identify the definition of the phrase "self-made man":
- [x] A man who has become rich and influential through his own actions
- [ ] A man who relies on birthright for wealth
- [ ] A man who benefits from extensive familial connections
- [ ] A man who wins the lottery and becomes famous
> **Explanation:** The phrase "self-made man" refers to a man who has achieved wealth and influence through his efforts, distinguishing him from those who rely on inherited wealth or family connections.
### Which of these books features a famous self-made man contrasting with inherited wealth?
- [ ] *Pride and Prejudice* by Jane Austen
- [x] *The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- [ ] *1984* by George Orwell
- [ ] *Catch-22* by Joseph Heller
> **Explanation:** *The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald showcases the self-made man in the character of Jay Gatsby, especially in contrast to the inherited wealth of Tom Buchanan.
### True or False: The term “self-made man” implies having received help from powerful friends.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. The term emphasizes succeeding solely by one's efforts, without external assistance from powerful connections or inherited wealth.
### Which song could be the anthem of a self-made man?
- [x] "Started from the Bottom" by Drake
- [ ] "We Are the Champions" by Queen
- [ ] "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
- [ ] "Frosty the Snowman" by Gene Autry
> **Explanation:** "Started from the Bottom" by Drake reflects the journey of achieving success from humble beginnings, a common trait of a self-made man.
### Which phrase is synonymous with the principle of a self-made man?
- [ ] Born with a silver spoon in his mouth
- [ ] Hit the nail on the head
- [x] Pulled himself up by the bootstraps
- [ ] The early bird catches the worm
> **Explanation:** "Pulled himself up by the bootstraps" is synonymous as it reflects self-reliance and achieving success through one's own effort.
Inspirational Thought: May you find the perseverance hidden beneath layers of doubt, the resilience shining through shadows of setbacks, and the fierce belief in your potential to blaze the trail of self-made success. Here’s to your own journey from rags to riches!
Published by: Penelope E. Prolific, October 1, 2023
