: The gangster is often depicted as a "self-made" figure who rejects traditional labor in favor of high-stakes entrepreneurship.

: The pursuit of the gangster life rarely affects the individual alone. Families, neighborhoods, and innocent bystanders often bear the brunt of the violence inherent in the trade.

: Tailored suits, luxury cars, and "easy" money create a visual language of success that bypasses the decades of struggle required in the legitimate world.