Maybe he found solving impossible equations dull and easy and physical work gives him a constant challenge. Maybe he just feels a connection with his fellow man through hard work and perseverance that he couldn't find elsewhere. Or maybe he resents that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and he needs to earn his piece of the american dream. Mick is someone so in love with the Alger-esque rags to riches story that he gave up his riches to live it.
But ultimately he will never work hard enough. He will never feel as though he's dropped down low enough to work his way up because he had an unfair start. In reality he works harder than his co-workers and from an objective standpoint he's more than proven himself as someone whose lived the rough life, but he can never prove it to himself.
Kane: You know, Mr. Bernstein, if I hadn't been very rich, I might have been a really great man.
Thatcher: Don't you think you are?
Kane: I think I did pretty well under the circumstances.
Thatcher: What would you like to have been?
Kane: Everything you hate.
The element of Superman that inspires Mick is in his moments of weakness he views his powers not as a gift to help man-kind but as a curse that has taken away his control over his own life. He has the ability to help everyone and he wants to help everyone, but is he obligated to sacrifice his own freedom to make everyone else happy? Is he selfish for feeling this way?
