The Great Gatsby and the Ideal Self – Made Man In the same way that the all-encompassing concept of the American Dream has undergone some degradation over the course of its historical development, thus also the noble nineteenth-century ideal of the self-made man was appropriately adapted to the moral climate of the 1920s. Referring to Fitzgerald's main character in his novel "The Great Gatsby", the young James Gatz is obviously modeled in this aspect of personality on Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), who is often cited as the prime example of this particular type of "American homo". A young man from a large family, he went to work for his father early, at the age of just ten, after just two years of school. After his apprenticeship as a printer he concentrated on learning through reading. In 1818, Franklin's "Autobiography" was published, which contains various enumerations of the moral virtues encountered in his readings to arrive at moral perfection. His intention was to acquire the habit of all these virtues, so he found it best not to distract his attention by attempting everything at once, but by concentrating on one of them at a time, and if he could master it, he would proceed to another, and so on, until he had examined them. These names of virtues, with their precepts were: Temperance Do not eat to dullness; do not drink until elevation. Silence Don't speak except what can benefit others or yourself; avoid idle conversations. Order Let all your things have their place; let each part of your business have its time. Resolution Decide to do what you should; execute without fail what you solve. Frugality Don't go shopping but do good for others or yourself; that is, don't waste anything. Industry Don't waste time; always be employed in something useful; eliminate all unnecessary actions. Sincerity Do not use harmful deception; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly. Justice Do not wrong anyone by doing harm or doing the benefits that are your duty. Moderation Avoid extremes; bear resentful slights as much as you think they deserve. Cleanliness Does not tolerate any impurities in the body, clothes or home. Peace of mind Do not be disturbed by trifles, or by common or unavoidable accidents. Chastity Seldom uses veneria except for health or offspring, never for dullness, weakness, or damage to the peace or reputation of oneself or another.