Benjamin Franklin Autobiography 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
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
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a representation of the new prospect of upward mobility in colonial America during the 18th century and the development of the Age of Reason, which assisted in the conception of the idea of the “American Dream”; a dream that includes fundamentally social ideals such as democracy, equality, and material prosperity. Furthermore, Franklin’s autobiography exemplifies a significant shift in focus from religion to enlightenment and reason. Additionally, there were
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin By:Lance Baines I am doing my book report on the “Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin”. I chose this book because I think Benjamin Franklin has a lot of history behind him. In this report I am going to tell about all the things Benjamin Franklin did that were important. I am also going to tell about where he grew up and when he was born. Benjamin Franklin was born back in 1706. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and also grew up there. Benjamins father
In Benjamin Franklin’s The Autobiography, he ornately and distinctly portrays each of the characteristics of the enlightenment. First characteristic of enlightenment Franklin presents is perfectibility and progress, a belief that one has the ability to improve and change. Whilst, Franklin was working on his list of virtues to improve himself to accomplish his goals, he came to add the thirteenth virtue as one of his Quaker acquaintance confessed about him, “But a Quaker friend having kindly inform’d
Analysis of Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin The passages that I read from the Autobiography of: Benjamin Franklin, outlines his manifest from child, to becoming a distinguished and accomplished man. To this day, he is still acquiring recognition for being a key figure in American History. Benjamin Franklin enlightens his readers in the opening paragraph, with a brief introduction of his family’s lineage and how they were Trade smith’s. He goes in detail about his grandfather on his dad side
republishing the “Autobiography,” written by Benjamin Franklin. In my personal opinion, I think that Benjamin’s history is suitable enough for both children and adults to learn about his discoveries. Benjamin made history, and I feel as now that most people aren’t as greatful as they were back in the 1700’s. Children and adults are always using technology and I think that Benjamin’s story will help people realize how blessed that they truly are. I think that by publishing the autobiography, it will encourage
In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin reminisces for his son. Throughout this novel, Benjamin Franklin addresses many issues with anecdotes and wise sayings to his son, which have universal application. Franklin employs diction, sentence structure, and tone to produce a colloquial style. These literary techniques help construct a fascinating autobiography, which is quite unusual for his time. First, Benjamin Franklin constructs a tone that is, at times, extremely humorous
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self Reliance and The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin are two vastly different texts. Both deal with the development of the American, but each take different paths to get there. Emerson criticizes Americans for being followers and giving into conformity. He believes as humans we should act independently and “trust thyself” (Emerson 2). We must also resist the pressure to conform. According to Emerson, we shouldn’t focus on the past because it drains energy and will prevent
challenges the core values and ideals that Benjamin Franklin expresses in his Autobiography. In the provided passage, the young Franklin arrives in Philadelphia in hopes of becoming a new self-made man and begins his journey with little money and few resources much like Gatsby. After arriving by boat, he tries to pay the people of the boat for his voyage but his payment is initially refused because he rowed the boat in order to get to Philadelphia. Franklin insists that they take his payment and says
Benjamin Franklin was probably the most important man in the development of the United States. He was a very influential figure. Benjamin Franklin, however, was also a man of great wisdom. Like his book The Way to Wealth, where he outlines his financial wisdom, wisdom could be attained from his autobiography. In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin outlines thirteen virtues which he believes to be moral. Although Benjamin Franklin's thirteen virtues may not be all the wisdom found
nation, but of the world and one man among them is Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin is known for his inventions, his philosophies, political influence in the American Revolution and his published writings, including his autobiography. Though he is an important man in history, there are some people who say that as a person, Franklin wasn’t someone to be admired. To determine if Franklin is worthy of admiration, many critics review his autobiography and through it, many aspects of his actions and
It was the year 1706 in Boston, MA when Benjamin Franklin entered the world. Birthed after fourteen other siblings, Franklin's family structure is only one deciding factor in the way that this legendary tale pans out. A hero of American Revolution, this novel depicts 18th century realism accurately while logging Franklin's personal conception on human nature and social community. Many look at Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography as your typical rags to riches tale yet, the truth and falsehood throughout
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was not perfect, but foreshadowed the way America is today. In this he writes about himself because although one cannot go back and do life again, one can rewrite the events of it and encourage people. Franklin made many mistakes in his life. By realizing his mistakes and his faults he was able to become a better person and by seeking self improvement. Through the progression of the book, Franklin tells the readers about things he learned through experiences
In the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, many life lessons were taught. Franklin wrote this autobiography hoping that it would be of interest to his son. The autobiography is a story about Franklins life and how he achieved everything. Franklin was a very honest man and others did value him. Not only was he honest, but he was a very humble soul who wanted the best for not only himself, but other people. Ever since he was a young boy Franklin always helped people. Franklin was also a man of discipline
impeccably portrayed in the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Initially proposed for his son, William, Benjamin Franklin reminisces his past struggles and accomplishments in influencing this country. With hopes to educate not only his son but the people of America. Benjamin Franklin recalls his wrongdoings and advises other potential citizens of self-improvement, epitomizing his own life from owning a successful newspaper company to being established in the House. Benjamin Franklin is America’s true hero
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most profound and influential leaders of his time. Excelling in fields anywhere from philosophy to agriculture, Franklin was truly one who had “something important to add to the store of the world’s knowledge; and he did it with zest, charm, and a gift for the clear view” (Cousins 16). Franklin had a great passion for reading, in fact, he considered it as one of his only amusements, and evidently, the advantage of self-education in Franklin’s case was clear. There
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
effect on others? This is actually the case with many autobiographies in history. Take Benjamin Franklin’s The Autobiography for example; in this piece, Franklin describes his own attempt at self improvement. He lists several virtues he was going to attempt to obtain, but he wasn’t successful in becoming the perfect man he had set out to be. However, this work of literature would prove to be very effectual. Benjamin Franklin’s The Autobiography had an effect on both himself and society especially
numerous ways in literature throughout the Western literary canon. The representations change based on a plethora of reasons, such as when the text has been written, the audience or the message the author is trying to convey. Benjamin Franklin’s The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein differ in many ways such as narrator frame, tone and writing style. However, they are both narrated from the perspective of men with grand ambitions. In this essay, I will be comparing