Jordan Belfort: The Wolf Of Wall Street

Jordan Belfort, a multi-million dollar scam artist who travelled the road to riches. While travelling this journey, he established many relationships that helped him reach such destination. The memoir The Wolf of Wall Street portrays the relationships and influences people had on Jordan and vice versa. The three biggest influences that Jordan encountered were Mark Hanna, Danny Porush and Nadine Belfort.

Jordan was constantly living under pressure from stocks and whether they rise or not, he often resorted to narcotics to relieve some tension. In fact, drugs played such a huge role in his life because he constantly brags that “I could sedate Guatemala for over a month!” But Jordan wasn’t always a drug fiend; in fact he was introduced to cocaine by his mentor, Mark Hanna. But through time Jordan found that cocaine alone didn’t satisfy his cravings and he needed something stronger. Later in his journey he is found using up to seven drugs at any given time.

“On a daily basis, I consume enough drugs to sedate Guatemala for a month. I take Quaaludes 10-15 times a day for my back pain, Adderall to stay focused, Xanax to take the edge off, pot to mellow me out, cocaine to wake me up again, and morphine…because it’s awesome! ” (Belfort, 29)

Jordan found many different ways to attain these drugs. Quaaludes after all were banned and cost a fortune to possess. He often states drugs were used for specific problems with his body but in actuality they were his way to relieve stress. And Jordan often used them in public. This was another negative characteristic that Jordan picked up off of Mark Hanna. Mark Hanna would often treat Jordan to lunch and often snort cocaine in the middle of the restaurant as if nothing was wrong.

“A moment later I f...

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...the “Duchess of Bay Ridge”.

““Maybe I should go and hide,” she equipped “Or maybe I’ll just stay here and kick your ass!” The last few words she screamed. Well, maybe she was boss. Either way, she was definitely earned her scene with me; there was no denying that. And the Duchess of Bay Ridge had a vicious temper.” (23)

But through her efforts to keep Jordan in check, he still managed to get caught for his crimes. This led to him being arrested and the Stratton Oakmont stock market was terminated. He was put under house arrest until his trial.

Jordan was to serve 22 months for money laundering and securities fraud. One thing he did learn along his journey was “There’s no nobility in poverty. I’ve been a poor man, and I’ve been a rich man. And I choose rich every time!” (518)

Works Cited

Belfort, Jordan. The Wolf of Wall Street. New York, NY: Bantam, 2007. Print.