Horatio Alger

Alger's myth could be "interred" by showing what actually happens in reality. Myths are challenged by showing their inaccuracy or faults by exposing and making what actually happens a more powerful image. Although an image of a successful person who came from a more difficult background creates a happier picture, an image of a person living in poverty is also powerful even if it does have a more negative feel. However, making the image of a person living in poverty stick is difficult because reality is often less appealing and people choose to pay attention to the more appealing and believe what they want to believe.