Preview

How Franklin Presents His Story of Self Improvement

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1079 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Franklin Presents His Story of Self Improvement
Latonya R. Brand HIUS 221
Professor Daniel Christensen 16 July 2012

One of the over-arching themes in Franklin 's Autobiography is that of self-improvement. Franklin intends for his own experience to serve as a model for others. Discuss key ways that Franklin presents his story as an illustration of self-improvement. Is he successful in the attempt? What motivates him toward this attempt? Does he strike you as a self-promoter or a genuinely benevolent man desirous of helping others? In your answer, use specific examples from the book to illustrate your points.

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 being the fifteenth of seventeen children to Josiah and Abiah Franklin. He was the 10th son out of his father’s children. He was a diplomat, scientist, inventor, philosopher, educator and a public servant (Compton’s Encyclopedia pg. 379). I thought after reading the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, I felt like he did present his story as an illustration of self-improvement. Further into my essay I will present some of the things he did to illustrate his self-improvement. Benjamin Franklin became a model to some people. At an early age, he worked as an apprentice in his brother’s printing shop. Together he and his brother made and printed newspapers for the New England Courant. After working with his brother for some time, they both had a fallen out which led to Benjamin Franklin’s move to Pennsylvania. When Franklin moved to Pennsylvania, he started to print newspapers for himself. After starting printing his own newspapers and many of the other success he had, he acknowledges and thank God for that. He mentioned in the autobiography that without the help of God, he would not have done the things he had done. Now days, we should always give thanks to God because if it was not for him we would not be here or able to do the things he is allowing us to do. Throughout Franklin’s lifetime, he encouraged others just by doing the things he did


Cited: “Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography” http://media.pearsoncmg.com/pcp/21270577390/history_bookshelf/franklin.pdf 6 July 2012. Web “Benjamin Franklin” Compton’s Encyclopedia 1998 Edition. 6 July 2012. Print “Benjamin Franklin” http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/ 6 July 2012. Web “Benjamin Franklin” www.sparknotes.com/lit/franklinautobio/ 6 July 2012. Web
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    How Did Benjamin Franklin Impact Society
    • 406 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Did Benjamin Franklin Impact Society

    Benjamin Franklin started a successful printing business in Philadelphia and eventually grew wealthy; franklin was involved in public affairs then launched a lending library, hospital, college and took account for his experiments with electricity. During the time of the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin served in the continental congress.…

    • 406 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Americanization Of Benjamin Franklin Summary
    • 786 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Americanization Of Benjamin Franklin Summary

    Wood presents important supporting evidence that Franklin is more complex than his stereotype. In his book, Wood follows two broad courses, from Franklin’s difficult progress from an English supporter, to becoming a more committed American. In chapter one, "Becoming a Gentlemen," Wood lists events chronologically that were a result of Franklin's…

    • 786 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Theme of Guilt and Abandonment on Adam Haslett’s “Notes to My Biographer”
    • 936 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Theme of Guilt and Abandonment on Adam Haslett’s “Notes to My Biographer”

    Amidst Haslett’s narration of Franklin, I noticed these words of Franklin symbolic, saying his son is not the same anymore since he is now damaged by his actions as “On the floor of his room he’d trace with delicate hands, what he remembered of my design: I see those same hands now spread on his thighs, nails bitten down, cuticles torn” (Haslett 9). These words were not only composed of Graham’s opinions of his son. It also includes the writer’s implication of Franklin’s torment upon losing his inspirational mentor. I can relate these feelings myself for I am a person who idolizes his father. Franklin as a child also looked up to Graham as an inspirational figure, but he was let down. I would have fallen apart like Franklin if I were in his situation.…

    • 936 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Compare And Contrast Benjamin Franklin And Anne Bradstreet
    • 354 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Benjamin Franklin And Anne Bradstreet

    What we read in class of Ben Franklin's writing showed a new concept called rationalism. His ideas were about how self-improvement is reflected in a rationalist’s beliefs. There were virtues that he believed were important for how a person should live their lives,…

    • 354 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Analysis Of Benjamin Franklin's Daily Life
    • 96 Words
    • 1 Page

    Analysis Of Benjamin Franklin's Daily Life

    Benjamin Franklin used the experiences of his daily life to write astronomical and astrological information needed by European countries during his oversees stays. In his autobiography, he also expresses the fact that one must do whatever it takes to make his or her dream come true. His writings were influenced by the calamity of the Revolutionary War and also by many of his colleagues, especially David Hume. Mr. Franklin’s home and school are brought up numerous times in his writing amplifying the fact that he never forget about the events and education that he received…

    • 96 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Did Benjamin Franklin Impact Society
    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Did Benjamin Franklin Impact Society

    Benjamin Franklin was one of America's the greatest scientist and inventor, and he changed his country forever. Born in Boston in the year 1706 in January 17th, Ben was born the fifteenth child out of seventeen in his family. He was taken out of Boston Latin School at age ten to work, since his father lacked in workers in his candle making. When Franklin was twelve, he was taken as an apprentice at a printing shop under his older brother, Josiah, since he disliked candle making. His education in printing advanced in Philadelphia at a lodging home, and also worked for the Governor William Kieth.…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Similarities Between Benjamin Franklin Paine And The Age Of Enlightenment
    • 716 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Similarities Between Benjamin Franklin Paine And The Age Of Enlightenment

    “The Autobiography” establishes in literary form the first example of the fulfillment of the American Dream. He writes of the possibilities of life in America through his own rise from the lower middle class as a youth to one of the most admired men in the world as an adult. Furthermore, he states that he achieved his success through a solid work ethic. For instance he writes, “It was about this time that I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection” (Franklin 307). He wants have that American dream, so he comes up with the thirteen virtues to help him. He proved that even undistinguished people can, through industry, become great figures of importance in America in his writings. His “The Autobiography” also reflects idealism. He somewhat writes of intellectual flourishment and political thought and during part two, he is trying to live them out. According to Betsy Erkkila, “while the Revolution is not present as part of the manifest content of Franklin's narrative, it is present as the political or narrative unconscious of Franklin's "Life"--as a scene of social crisis, bloody contest, and challenge to traditional structures of authority in family, society, church, and state” (Erkkila). This meaning that even though it wasn’t spoke of directly, the revolution was desired by Franklin so others could have the American dream and achieve as he…

    • 716 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Is Benjamin Franklin Successful
    • 1257 Words
    • 6 Pages

    How Is Benjamin Franklin Successful

    Much of the success had by Benjamin Franklin coming from a poor family and turning into a wealthy individual was due to a few important people in his life. Franklin had about him very desirable qualities, for most people that he had met quickly gained interest in him and were willing to help him, Franklin however, never took any of this for granted. Benjamin Franklin had outstanding core values about him that were installed by a select few people growing up. The person who taught him the most important values in his life was his father, Josiah Franklin. Josiah, as described by Benjamin as “ingenious”, taught at a very young age the fundamental properties of thinking…

    • 1257 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Benjamin Franklin's Impact On Modern America
    • 426 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin's Impact On Modern America

    Often seen on the face of the 100$ bill, Benjamin Franklin is a historical figure of many careers and pastimes. He is a leading figure in early American history and is the only founding father that has signed all four documents key to establishing the U.S. Ben is yet one of the most awesome people in history that I can think of, awesome meaning I could literally go on for pages about what this man has done. His impact on modern America has a much bigger role than the naked eye can see, and we could live on just this man’s virtues everyday of our lives. Benjamin, by the age of 20, established his own list of 13 virtues he would live by every day. He was so set out to be as perfect as he could, that he carried around a small book with 13 charts in it.…

    • 426 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Benjamin Franklin's Accomplishments
    • 944 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin's Accomplishments

    Although his printing career was successful, he had many other accomplishments that make him one of the most influential Founding Fathers in America. A major accomplishment of his was when he successfully negotiated to form an essential military alliance with France in 1778 as the American Revolution progressed, as well as negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783 after the Americans emerged victorious in the Revolution. Additionally, Franklin was a significant contributor to the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. Franklin was appointed to be the first Postmaster General in the U.S. in 1775, and he was one of the five men that drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. One of the things that peaks my interest in Benjamin Franklin and what inspired me to choose him for this essay is his passion for science and his inventions. Before he turned his interest to electricity and conducted his renowned kite-and-key experiment to demonstrate that lightning was a form of electricity, he had previously invented a flexible catheter, a heat-efficient stove, the Armonica, swim fins, and bifocals. Franklin got the nickname the “First American” because he was a genuine polymath and tycoon in the eyes of the public. The last public act that he was involved in was in 1789, when he wrote an anti-slavery treatise. The most interesting fact that I discovered about Franklin is that he was an ardent chess player. Seeing as how I really enjoy playing chess, I found this newfound information quite fascinating. In 1999, Ben was initiated into the United States Chess Hall of Fame and the second oldest chess club in the U.S., The Franklin Mercantile Chess Club in Philadelphia, was named in honor of him. If I was given the opportunity to have a face-to-face encounter with the “First American,” Benjamin Franklin, I would ask him if he thought America would…

    • 944 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Franklin
    • 217 Words
    • 1 Page

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Franklin

    Franklin gives advice without recognizing he is doing it. When the reader views his thoughts on his own work, they see that he strived to be better and was improving himself as much as he could. For example, he writes of how he “discover’d some of my Faults and corrected them” when comparing his works to the original. Throughout the first piece, he showed ambition, improvement, and self-motivation. Franklin also writes about not giving up when he couldn’t find work as a Printer. He went from Boston to New York to Philadelphia to find a job. During this time he underwent sickness and fever, hunger, poverty, etc. Not only that, but he had to start from the beginning in each place to get to know people and make connections in order to get him a job.…

    • 217 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why Is Benjamin Successful
    • 652 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Why Is Benjamin Successful

    Benjamin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massaschuetts as the 15th of 17 children to Josiah Franklin. At a young age Benjamin’s future was already decided for him, and to please his father he followed suit. However Benjamin found reading and writing to be so fascinating that it pushed him to leave his family and move to Philadelphia where the journey of who he would become began. Benjamin didn’t come from poverty, in fact he came from a wealthy family who owned a printing business, he was also the right race and gender to be successful in his time. So although he was incredibly hard working and a self starter I believe the initial motivation to be successful started from the family he was born into. Benjamin became very successful…

    • 652 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Cycle Of Benjamin Franklin's Life
    • 128 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Cycle Of Benjamin Franklin's Life

    The individual described in this writing is Benjamin Franklin. The basis for this paper is the cycle of Benjamin’s life, and the events that were significant for him throughout his years. Benjamin had a very large family; he began working at the age of twelve. During his young adult years, Benjamin chose to leave home and head for a bigger city. Throughout his young adult years Benjamin experienced some very significant events, while managing to attract all the ladies. During Benjamin’s later years, he spent most of his time abroad in France. Even after losing his wife, Benjamin still managed to have a flourishing love life. Eventually Benjamin Franklin’s life had to come to an end, however he still remains a large part of our history, even…

    • 128 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Benjamin Franklin: the Enlightenment Figure
    • 1974 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin: the Enlightenment Figure

    Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: An American History. 2nd ed. 1 vol. NY, New York: W.…

    • 1974 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Benjamin Franklin's The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin
    • 1119 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin's The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin

    If I were to be alive at the time Benjamin Franklin set out and published his autobiography, I would have a few things to say in regards to his thoughts, statements he made, and actions that he partook in.…

    • 1119 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics