Discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 31

Discussion - Essay Example According to the professor, these variables might exist, but they play no appreciable roles on how our action gets appraised (Weiss 6). Professor Harlon also believes that a deep appeal of the myth (Horatio Alger) is that it will allow and to some extent even pull people to the direction they are likely going (Weiss 7). Psychologically this myth opens many opportunities. He also assets that this myth serves in the maintenance of the racial pecking order where this is achieved by mentally bypassing the race role in the American society (Weiss 8). â€Å"It takes hard work, pluck and persistence so as to be successful in America† (Weiss 9) Gregory Mantsios believes that poverty level is too high for the Horatio Alger myth to be anything of importance other than a fairy tale (Weiss 9). He provides many statistics to support his statement including a fact that 14 % total of the American population lives below a poverty line set by the government (Weiss 10). According to Mantsios those in favor of the myth continuation would tell the poor people that if they worked hard they would earn the success one day. â€Å"This is quite a frankly asinine type of logic† (Weiss 10). People below the poverty line works hard so as to achieve the success; they even perform two or three jobs so as to provide for their families and themselves (Weiss 11). According to Mantsios these people work so hard instead of attaining the American dream, they are even told to work harder, whereas they are viewing nepotism promote lazier and less qualified employees into the position they work so hard to attain (Weiss 12). Mantsios goes ahead and points out of the saddest realities. â€Å"20 % consisting of the wealthiest in the American population are the ones holding up to an 85% share of the state’s total household wealth† (Weiss 12). According to Mantsios, there is simply no prove to indicate the myth effectiveness and that working hard