"Rags to riches" story

Think of a person you know (either yourself, someone you know, or even a famous person with, perhaps a "rags to riches" story) who has experienced significant upward or downward mobility over the past three or four generations.

For the initial post, respond to one of the following options, and label the beginning of your post indicating either Option 1 or Option 2:

Option 1: Briefly describe the person (and be sure to respect confidentiality of others and, as always, remember to be respectful of potentially sensitive information, and remember there is no guarantee of privacy). Describe the person's significant upward or downward mobility over the past three or four generations. How do you think the person's values and behavior might differ had the person experienced the opposite pattern of mobility?
Option 2: Briefly describe the person (and be sure to respect confidentiality of others and, as always, remember to be respectful of potentially sensitive information, and remember there is no guarantee of privacy). Describe the person's significant upward or downward mobility over the past three or four generations. How might experiences have been different had the person's family been of a different ethnic or racial origin?

Full Answer Section

  My great-grandfather's upward mobility had a profound impact on his values and behavior. He was always very grateful for what he had, and he was always willing to help others. He was also very hard-working and ambitious. He believed that anyone could achieve success if they worked hard enough. I think that my great-grandfather's values and behavior would have been very different if he had experienced the opposite pattern of mobility. If he had been born into a wealthy family, he might have been more entitled and less hardworking. He might not have been as grateful for what he had, and he might not have been as willing to help others. I think that my great-grandfather's story is a reminder that anyone can achieve success, regardless of their circumstances. It is also a reminder that success is not just about money. It is also about having good values and being willing to help others. Additional Thoughts I think that my great-grandfather's story is also a reminder of the importance of hard work and determination. He came from a very poor background, but he was able to achieve great success through hard work and determination. He is an inspiration to me, and I hope that I can follow in his footsteps. I also think that my great-grandfather's story is a reminder of the importance of gratitude. He was always grateful for what he had, even when he was wealthy. He never forgot his humble beginnings, and he was always willing to help others. I think that we can all learn a lot from his example.

Sample Answer

  I'd like to talk about my great-grandfather, who experienced significant upward mobility over the past three or four generations. He was born in a small village in China in the early 1900s. His family was very poor, and he had to work hard from a young age to help support them. He eventually moved to the United States, where he worked as a laborer. He saved his money and eventually started his own business. He was very successful in business, and he became wealthy.