Rags-to-riches - Definition and Overview

The term "Rags to Riches" refers to any situation in which a person rises from poverty to wealth. This is a common archetype in literature and popular culture.

Many stories feature a "rags to riches" theme, including:

• Fairy tales, such as Cinderella and Snow White
• Movies, such as Rocky and Citizen Kane
• Video games, such as Rags to Riches
• Biblical figures, such as Moses and Joseph
• Game shows like The Price is Right, Queen for a Day, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
• Reality television shows such as American Idol, Joe Millionaire, and The Apprentice.

These stories give the poor hope that they can rise to fame and wealth. They are most popular in societies such as the United States, where belief in the ability to move between social classes is an important part of the national identity. "Rags to riches" stories are notably absent in societies that have or once had a very rigid, hierarchical caste systems such as India.

There are a number of historical figures whose lives followed a "rags to riches" path. These include:

• Genghis Khan
• Andrew Carnegie
• Helen Keller
• Adolf Hitler
• Marilyn Monroe
• Aristotle Onassis

See also: Social mobility, The Ugly Duckling, lottery, hope