Benjamin_Franklin

Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin: Oxford University Press, 1970. 201 pp. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin reveals the life of an important historical American. Franklin’s autobiography is a real story set in eighteenth century America. The book shares and reveals his life experiences, but the book is more than just a picture of his life. It is an attempt for Franklin to present his concepts, and feelings on how to be the ideal citizen of the new land of America. Franklin’s concepts and ideals reveal the he is not only a hard working American citizen, but that he is also a husband, a brother, a man of faith, a man of learning, a printer, a businessman, a writer, a politician, and a public servant. Throughout his book, Franklin reveals to his readers that he has determination, perseverance, and relies on his sound code of ethics. Due to all these traits, Franklin rises out of the shadows to prominence and wealth. In the first part of the book, Franklin gives his readers background information on his family and a general profile of his ancestors. The details that he presents show the high regard and affection he has for his parents and other family members. One can see Franklin’s regard for his family when he seeks his father approval of his writings. When his father tells him how to improve his style, Franklin diligently works to better his style of writing. For Franklin, alertness, obedience, and sharpness in learning are features of his personality, which will help to mold him into the person he will become. Through Franklin’s writing, it reveals to his readers that he has a captivating personality. He has the ability to persuade other to see his point of view. In his younger life, Franklin uses this ability, however there comes a point in his life when Franklin finds this to be a dangerous thing. Franklin shows that he is a man who can laugh with others, poke fun at himself, and see the humor in human foolishness. He values his relationships with others, and reveals that he learns and grows from all his experiences with other human beings. Franklin tells of his mistake in trusting Governor Keith, which makes him appear to the reader more human. Even though he suffers disappointments at the hands of Governor Keith, Franklin does not let it depress him, instead he handles the problem and works hard as a means to forget his troubles. When Franklin starts his new printing business, he refuses to listen to those who have negative things to say, and due to his effort his business prospers. He reveals to his readers that the printing business is not a lucrative business. However, he has made it lucrative for himself through hard work. Franklin is successful in his venture with starting the Junto Club. Through this club, he makes influential friends who help him in his printing business. The club also allows Franklin to develop his writing skills. With help Franklin successfully organizes a more public venture, known as the subscription library. Franklin introduces the library system for the good of the public, knowing that reading would generally enable a person to enlarge their education and understanding. He feels that he has prospered due to the society around him, and he is willing to devote time and energy for its betterment, such as the library. He uses the library to better himself. He commits two hours each day to reading and studying. Through his work with the library, Franklin is trust further into public life. Franklin decides to finally write Part II of his book ten years later. It is interesting to note that Franklin’s emphasis will change from personal achievement to individual development and moral education. In addition, Franklin’s tone will change from conversational to teaching and authoritative, and his style will become more formal and objective than friendly. Franklin advises his readers that he will try to obtain moral perfection. His intention is to avoid committing any kind of fault and to do only what he consciously thinks is right. He quickly realizes that intentions of being good and doing right will not make one virtuous. Because of this, he designs a method by which he intends to break all his bad habits and acquire good ones. He lists all his moral virtues, and winds up with thirteen virtues that he thinks are absolutely necessary to lead a moral life. These virtues are temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Through these moral values Franklin feels that all his prosperity and his good reputation have come. He is happy that he has endeavored to better himself, not only through reading and education, but through these values as well. Franklin tells his reader that he never regretted his attempt to attain moral perfection, even though he had failed. He notes that he is only human and capable of error. Franklin’s printing business has now flourished to the point that Franklin has no competitors, and his writing is eagerly read and is often a great influence to others. Franklin then starts to write, and publish, Poor Richard’s Almanac under the name of Richard Saunders. Franklin makes sure that the almanac is uses to present pertinent facts, and he avoids controversy in his writing of the almanac. The almanac is so popular that it is published for twenty-five years, and every year nearly one thousand copies are sold. It seems that everything Franklin touches turns to gold, as did Poor Richard’s Almanac. Franklin has a practical outlook and ironic humor in understanding human nature and issues relating to daily life. He proves to his readers that he is a very sensible man that can come up with suggestions to cleverly resolve social problems and issues. His matter-of-fact mind always brings up solutions to problems, and gives a practical solution to solve the problem. Benjamin Franklin’s extraordinary effect on life in the colonial period is undeniable. He is truly a remarkable, kind, honest, proud, and diversified man. He was a man that could have been placed in any century or time on earth, and would have made his mark during that time. Bibliography: