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The autobiography of benjamin franklin background
The autobiography of benjamin franklin background
The autobiography of benjamin franklin background
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Summer Reading Vincent Van Gogh once wrote that “great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” According to Van Gogh, success is not accidental—it is the result of time and continued effort. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Jay Heinrichs’ Thank You For Arguing, and the 1989 film Dead Poets Society reflect Van Gogh’s sentiment and portray several valuable lessons one can apply to his/her own life. Van Gogh believed that greatness is achieved through the accumulation of smaller, intentional acts. Important things start small and develop over time. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin demonstrates the path towards greatness: “the then State of my Mind, with regard to my Principles and Morals, that you may see how far those influenc'd the future Events of my Life” (1.88). Franklin’s desire to succeed and further himself lead to his gradual success. Eminence is not accidental; Franklin’s legacy is the result of several steps Franklin took throughout his life, such as running The Pennsylvania Gazette and publishing Poor Richard’s …show more content…
In the beginning of his autobiography, Franklin asserts that he would “ have no Objection to a Repetition of the same Life from its Beginning, only asking the Advantage Authors have in a second Edition to correct some Faults of the first” (1.1). Franklin essentially lived with no regrets—a concept that I should strive to apply to myself. As a man living during a significant point in history, Franklin took advantage of the opportunities provided to him in order to live the best life he could. The world is full of chances and opportunities, the individual must take control of his/her own life to be truly great. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin epitomizes the sentiment that those who work the hardest will reap the most rewards and will be the most
Gordon S. Wood delves into Benjamin Franklin’s philosophical, political, and personal legacies in the biography, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. The book travels through Franklin’s experiments, his travels in Europe, and his role in the American revolution. The book begins when Franklin retires from business and becomes a gentleman. It was when he became a gentleman, it allowed him to analyze the world around him. “Indeed, he could not drink a cup of tea without wondering why the tea leaves at the bottom gathered in way rather than another,” a quote from Edmund S. Morgan’s book, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin spent a great deal of time in Britain before returning to America. When he returned, he threw himself into the American revolution, which sent him to France. After he accomplished his duties in France, he returned back home to America where he ran for public office.
Vincent Van Gogh is one of the world’s greatest and most well-known artists, but when he was alive he considered himself to be a complete failure. It was not until after he died that Van Gogh’s paintings received the recognition they deserved. Today he is thought to be the second best Dutch artist, after Rembrandt. Born in 1853, he was one of the biggest artistic influences of the 19th century. Vincent Van Gogh created a new era of art, he learned to use art to escape his mental illness, and he still continues to inspire artists over 100 years later.
Franklin wrote his autobiography for his son. His journey was very important to him. His son would benefit from this. He says “I sit down to write them for you”. (Franklin (473) This signifies all of the effort he is putting into his writing. Franklin had a strong belief in God. He says, “And now I speak of thanking God, I deserve with all humanity to acknowledge, that I owe the mention’d happiness of my past life to his kind providence…” (474) This quote shows that he is thankful for all that God has done for
While writing a letter to his son, he begins to explain his reasoning for writing in a somewhat formal fashion, stating what he felt was the purpose of his life. His light hearted nature would show through when he lightly mocked previous statements he had written. He shows a lot of pride in all of the accomplishments he had made in his life. He refers to his past mistakes as ‘errata’ which is a term used for correcting printing mistakes. This suggests that he simply viewed his errors in life as easily replaced with the greater things he has gone on to do. He stressed the importance of hard work and that it would certainly lead to greatness and wealth. In part two, a seemingly older Franklin focuses his tone away from entertaining himself and his son. He goes on to explain a series of models and virtues that would lead to a happy and fulfilling life. Lastly in part three, a slightly older Franklin encourages people so stop thinking in self-interest and to join together to encourage social
This paper also seeks to compare the autobiographies of Benjamin Franklin and Fredrick Douglas. In an e...
Benjamin Franklin is one of the most well-known men on earth! Everyone knows who he is, but not a lot of people have read about him. Mr. Franklin has an Autobiography that was published to us. In pages 411 through 417 of Benjamin Franklin Autobiography there is three topics Benjamin Franklin touches on when writing these five pages of his Autobiography. To begin with the first topic was about a library he opened up, the second topic he spoke about was about how he respects religion but doesn’t like religion controversy, and last but not least he wrote about thirteen virtues.
“I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that the natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into” is the mission statement he begins this discussion with, using such forceful terms as conquer to characterize this goal as a battle his perseverance can win. The thirteen virtues which he tries to commit to habit also reflect his belief in making one’s own life; order, industry, moderation, tranquility, and humility each hinge on the notion that a person can control their emotions and live in a constant state of productivity to accomplish any possible goal. Even after he abandons this pursuit, Franklin believes that his efforts have made him a better person more likely to succeed in life, claiming that “I was by the endeavor a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been.” This example and several others from his autobiography show that Franklin wholeheartedly felt that any person could improve their state of being and material affairs by the pulling of their own
In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts emphasis on his need to live a virtuous and morally perfect life. Throughout his story, Benjamin Franklin tells his son of his many virtuous acts and momentous achievements, motivating the question as to whether he seeks his own approval more so than the approval of his peers.
Benjamin Franklin was a very prominent figure in shaping our nation. Many people look at him as a role model or just as an amazing individual. He had his faults just like every human being had, and he shouldn’t be discredited because of a few minor glitches to his character. As being the only person that had signed The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Treaty of Paris, this immediately separates him from all others. One of the things that he wrote about in Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography and Other Writings, was trying to be the ideal person, and even made a list of virtues to live by. His virtues were very important to his lifestyle, and he followed them to a great extent.
"I know of no Character living nor many of them put together, who has so much in his powers as Thyself to promote a greater Spirit of Industry and early Attention to Business, Frugality, and Temperance with American Youth " wrote Abel James in a letter to urge Franklin on with the Autobiography(Franklin 134). This somewhat prophetic letter announces wh...
Benjamin Franklin was a very successful man who wanted to better his country that he loved and always cared for others before himself. The history of Franklin will continue to grow because it is important for everyone to know how our country became what it is today. If it weren’t for Benjamin Franklin’s hard work, America would not be what it is today.
Benjamin Franklin and Christopher McCandless both demonstrate that determination often leads to greater skills and intelligence. Throughout Ben Franklin’s life he gains a lot of intelligence through his determination to do new things and his strive to do better. Chris McCandless gains a lot of life skills through his determination to go and live in the wild. Determination played a key role in their intelligence and success.
Writer, printer, scientist, leader, inventor, and “rebel with a cause” are few of the many careers that Benjamin Franklin has been renowned for over the years. All of them truly reflect the abilities that he deployed during the birth of our nation. These qualities have also acknowledged a superb leader who serves as a prominent model and founding father to today’s generation.
Benjamin Franklin is one of the most influential and famous figures of all time. Ben Franklin if often referred to as the "self-made man," and his philosophies and principles in the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, edited by Louis P. Masur, has served as a self-help book for millions around the world. Franklin's Autobiography is a prime example of the American dream, a rag to riches story that has inspired many people to think of themselves and the community in a different light. Franklin's moral and social philosophies are packed deeply into his Autobiography. Franklin believed that improving ones self was the key to success. Self-improvement, self-education, and self-discipline are the main factors of a self-made man. Improving yourself will ultimately improve the society as a whole. Franklin speaks of principality and inclination. His idea was to produce the principle man with the awareness of man's natural inclination. Throughout the text Franklin provides examples from his own life that contradicts his moral and social philosophies. These contradictions are mostly caused by natural inclinations. Franklin uses these contradictions to educate people to be aware of their natural inclinations and to try and overcome them. Franklin's realizes that improving oneself is a road with many imperfections. Not even the "self-made man" was completely perfect.
Houston, Alan. Franklin: The Autobiography and other Writings on Politics, Economics, and Virtue. New York: Cambridge UP, 2008. Print.