If ever a story embodied what has come to be known as the American dream, it is the life story of Benjamin Franklin. The work ethic of Franklin could be considered a passionate and energetic man who motivated himself by self-sovereignty and his strong work ethic to achieve self-improvement. Beyond his personal ambitions to attain self-improvement, Franklin’s deep notions and convictions inspired him to help others for a better life. Franklin’s desire in providing and creating useful solutions for society and states, his recounting of the assistance he gave to others demonstrated his convictions in his reasons for writing. In addition, the author Perkins in his book “The American Tradition in Literature” narrates that: “Franklin’s mind approved and his behavior demonstrated the fundamental concepts of the Age of Reason – faith in the reality of the world as revealed to the senses, distrust of the mystical or mysterious, confidence in the attainment of progress by education and humanitarianism, and the assurance that an appeal to reason would provide solutions for all human problems, including those of society and the state” (Perkins, P 154). Consequently, Franklin’s journey began from insufficient or lack of resources for education to a wealthy man of enormous stature and influence punctuates his emphasis on hard work and determination. Franklin’s limitless desire for knowledge and his persistent pursuit of bettering himself or self-improvement were central to his character. Every success and achievements in his life only encouraged him to achieve more. From the childhood, Franklin’s was a fond of reading, and a penny he was able to earn was ever laid out in books. Starting from a young age, Franklin was academically more advance... ... middle of paper ... ...ife had a great affect not only on his generation, but on many generations that would follow. His intellectual curiosity, ingenuity, and desire to do well propelled him into a lifelong pursuit of improving himself and serving as a model for others to benefit from. Franklin also furthered America’s future, making the nation independent and signed significant treaties and documents, all hugely beneficial to United States. Franklin’s leadership role affected the entire country and he will always be remembered as an impactful man throughout America. His drive and ambition through his publishing, inventing and political attributions affected United States, making it strong and independent. Works Cited Perkins, George and Perkins Barbara. “ The American Tradition in Litterature, Shorter Edition in One Volume.” A division of McGraw Hill Companies. Tenth Edition
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.
Franklins in his Autobiography, composes the idea of a “self-made-man” by depicting his experiences of his hard work ethic to go from poor to rich. Throughout his writing he explains how he made himself successful. He took chances and was proactive.
Franklin’s accomplishments arose from the influence of family, friends, education, and personal experience with being African American. He had a difficult task as an historian as he was writing about the neglected history of his minority group while being an advocate for the rights of this group. This could be perceived as a conflict of interest, but he thought of it as being beneficial. His method of writing was not to promote African Americans, but to interpret their involvement in the framework of American history. This was not something that had been done extensively and thoroughly before. Franklin set the stage and helped to create a widely accepted field of history.
Benjamin Franklin was a remarkably talented man. He started his life as a printers apprentice, but went much farther then there. He developed things that were far more advanced than the time. Benjamin Franklin's stove for example, for cold winter nights, and bifocal lenses for reading. Franklin tracked storms to help understand the horrible weather endured by the colonies. But gis study of electricity made him mist famous and he was known world wide as the founder of the lightning rod. Not only was Benjamin Franklin helpful in developing ideas for better living, he was also a strong force in developing the new nation of America. Benjamin Franklins political views showed him to be a man who loved freedom and independence. His views towards England gradually changed from like to dislike until he finally
Benjamin Franklin, through hard work and perseverance, transformed himself into a philosopher, diplomat, inventor, writer, and scientist. (SOURCE) Franklin’s contributions and ideas significantly encouraged major progress in the development our country and improvements that continue to affect society. He showed that with a strong desire and honest and hard work anything is possible. Unlike most politicians, he was a common person. He is also a hero in that he symbolizes hope and possibilities for many Americans. However, Franklin was not a perfect human being, and for that reason, some believe that his face should not grace the $100 bill. His legacy is undeniably a major part in our history and as one of the key “founding fathers” to our society; the fact reminds Benjamin Franklin is distinct figure in our history. I will present my argument in favor of keeping Franklin on the bill.
Franklin said “I respected them all, tho’ with different degrees of Respect as I found them more or less mix’d with other” (412). An example of religions being mixed would be, Puritanism verse Separatists they both believed in the same God, but both thought they were better than each other and the reason vary. Franklin was a true believer of the Deity. According to Merriam Webster dictionary Deity means God or Goddess. He believed that there was a God and that he made the world. The book tells us the following “I never was without some religious Principles; I never doubted, for instance, the Existence of the Deity, that he made the World, and govern’d it by his Providence;”
Born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony on January 17,1706; Benjamin was the youngest son of seventeen children. From an early age Benjamin was a natural earner but discontinued his studies to work in his father’s soap and candle shop at age 10. Two years later, Franklin joined his brother as an apprentice at his printer shop. Working at the shop, Franklin indulged himself with writing and poetry. In the Autobiography, Benjamin claimed that “Prose Writing… of great Use to me in the Course of my Life, and was a principal Means of my Advancement” (“Benjamin Franklin”). With no work success in New York Franklin
Franklin, Benjamin. "Early Friends in Philadelphia." In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York Henry Holt and Company: E. Boyd Smith, 1922. 26.
... of religion. Also, the newly evolving opportunity for rising to a higher economic and social position, and the greater variety of trades and occupations that were generated during the 18th century, were extremely influential factors in creating opportunities for upward mobility. Ultimately, one of the most important themes in Franklin’s Autobiography is the beginning of the ideal of the “American Dream”; a dream that has goals of equality and material prosperity at its core, goals which have become important and influential to all citizens of the United States of America, and remain influential for generations to come.
He was never a president of the United States, nor did he lead any army in a battle. He had no talent in public speaking, preferring to write out his thoughts on paper and for them to be read aloud by others. Yet in his day he was certainly one of the most well known celebrities, beloved in both the United States and through most of Europe. He is Benjamin Franklin, and he has become a symbol of American civilization.
...is mistakes and let go of any self-resentment, in the eyes of his son. Though these arguments appear as rebellious against Benjamin Franklin’s hubris or self-endowment, it can also be said that these elements helped fuel his ambition and lead to great discoveries. If Franklin’s infatuation with self-betterment was arguably responsible the creation of so many necessities and components of society today, then no criticism can be dished out – Franklin deals with enough inner critique as it is.
Benjamin Franklin is considered to be one of the most well-known Founding Fathers, as he helped in writing the Declaration of Independence and the very first Constitution of the United States. Who was he other than a man who fought for colonist’s rights however? Franklin was a brilliant inventor who created many innovating and life changing mechanisms, such as the world’s very first almanac, bifocals, and the lightning rod. He was also a major figure in the American Enlightenment, which restored art, science and music, spreading moral philosophy all across the colonies. Although he was never elected to the role of President of the United States, Franklin served in several other parts, such as the first postmaster general for the colonies in
One of his important virtues was humility. It was simply stated: “Imitate Jesus and Socrates.” From the beginning of Franklin’s life, when he went to grammar school he was always interested in learning. His father took him from grammar school and his next move was to be an apprentice to his brother as a printer. With undying love for knowledge he continued to learn how to read and write well. “From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books” (Franklin 13). He continually got books from other print shops and stores to read on the side of working. One of the writings that touched him the most was the Socratic dialogue that he read in the back of a grammar book that he borrowed. He continued his research on Socrates, and therefore the Socratic method became a driving force in his beliefs. That is why he states that we should ‘Imitate Jesus and Socrates’. Their views must have some basis in common in order for him to look up to them that much.
invincible. For though there are many of them likely, yet they were not certain. It might be sundry of the things feared might never befall; others by provident care
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.