Are poor people just working for mere survival or with the hopes of living a better life far beyond what they can ever comprehend?
It depends on the individual, environment and peer group. If a poor man is in an interior place or leave in the ghetto in the city and don't have rich men children as his friends, he might not think that big in future. If the poor man has the zeal to upgrade his standard of living and work towards it with a positive mindset, he will definitely be elevated from his poverty. The most important thing is to be at the right place at the right time with the right people.
And most importantly, the perseverance of the individual himself. Wirhout his diligence, he won't go that far.