Franklin's American Dream

There is one reoccuring definition of the American dream. It has evolved since the foundation of America, but more or less it has always been around. It's the idea that should you work hard enough and commit yourself, you may move up in socioeconomic standing. In the past, people came to America expecting it to be a place where they could find new beginnings. It's been the dream of new Americans for decades, and for a while it held true to this image, like in the case of Benjamin Franlkin.

Franklin started in middle class. He was the youngest son, with siblings all working at a relatively early age. He was able to receive some education, but not fully complete it. Yet, he was still able to accomplish a multitude of things. He educated himself, worked hard at the job he was put into, saught out new opportunities. With hard work and conviction he was able to work himself into notereirity in politics, science and literature. He sure moved up, as any American who works hard is theorhetically able to do.

But how true is this image? I would say that in our modern world it's pretty much false. But that's something I've complained about enough already. No doubt it'll continue to come up.