Horatio Alger Myth: Contemporary usage vs. Ideas posed in the book

Ideas weather or not the Horatio Alger Myth is still prevalent, or ever was at all does indeed divide opinion. When looking for a site really pushing the ideas behind the Horatio Alger myth, I struggled. The reasons behind this is obviously because time and realism has made the general population realise that other factors affect you're social standing and mobility. Obviously, other than just hard work.

I believed that the best place to find a good contemporary usage of the term the Horatio Alger Myth would be used, is by user generated content. The Horatio Alger Myth is Still Alive and Well in American Culture pushes the idea that the Myth still exists and that anyone, with enough hard work and determination can propel themselves up the social ladder and become more wealthy as time goes on. She also believes that decisions that are made will ultimately decide whether one is successful in maintaining the wealth that they achieve.

These ideas that are posed by this woman on associated content is very true to the novel. Alger believed in the 'rags to riches' mentality and that success could easily be obtained of the person was industrious and hard-working enough to do so.

With that being said, the article believes that it takes more than just one generation to be able to bring fortune to ones self, it takes generations of hard-work. Something not depicted in the book. He starts off as a boot-black and someone of not great social standing, to somebody who has made something of himself and has money in his pocket.