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.
True heroes are noted as those who act with altruistic intentions for the sake of others. Unselfish attempts to improve not just one’s self, but also his society, is 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.
If ever a story embodied what has come to be known as the American Dream, it is the life story of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin could be considered a passionate and energetic man who motivated himself by self-determination and a strong work ethic to achieve self-improvement. Beyond his sometimes-lofty personal aspirations to attain self-improvement, Franklin’s deep conviction inspired him to help others live well. He demonstrated this conviction in his reasons for writing, his willingness to portray his mistakes as well as his successes as a means of instruction, his recounting of the assistance he gave to others, and his desire to create useful solutions. Franklin successfully used his story to depict this self-improvement.
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).
The Life of Benjamin Franklin "Of two things you can be certain; death and taxes," quoted Benjamin Franklin. Having a humorous outlook on life, Franklin tried to make others' lives better. Benjamin was a man who served others and tried to make the world its best until his death. Benjamin Franklin had many accomplishments. He had a busy and eventful life, he played a major role in defending his country, and he was known for his quotes.
GENRE:Autobiography, Personal Narrative In the first part, Franklin is speaking to his son, describing the past. He talks about his childhood, family, upbringing, and general manner in business and life. In the second part, he is more conscious of the larger audience and there is a definite change in tone. He seems more pretentious as he discusses his quest for "moral perfection" through thirteen self-defined virtues, library system, religious views, and more. Franklin was influenced by Enlightenment thinking and writers such as Cotton Mather whose book Bonifacius: An Essay Upon the Good discusses coexistence between different groups and going out to good in society.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin gives us one of the most in-depth accounts of life in the 18th century. Franklin gives specifics about his life and others, giving historians one of the most valuable looks into 18th century living and the American Dream. He provides us with his insight onto how anyone can make it in the New World, and reflects those beliefs in his own life. However, Franklin’s autobiography is not perfect. There are many faults the autobiography; sections of it were written years after each other, there is no clear connection between each section and the autobiography abruptly stops during the American Revolution, arguably one of the most notable events in Franklin’s life.
The foundation qualities of the American Dream depicted in The Great Gatsby are perseverance and hope. The most glorified of these characteristics is that of success against is that of success against all odds. The ethic of hard work can be found in the life of young James Gatz, whose focus on becoming a great a man is carefully documented in his ?Hopalong Cassidy? journal. When Mr. Gatz shows the tattered book to Nick, he declares, ?
After all, this was his goal. Miller showed character in both his life and writing. In his autobiography Timebends, Miller quoted: “Character is defined by the kinds of challenges he cannot walk away from. And by those, he has walked away from that cause him remorse” (“The Complicated Life of Arthur Miller in 12 Quotes”). Showing his good character and intentions was notably important to the author.
Jay Gatsby's connection to the American dream is relevant to his program for self-improvement. The content of the schedule contained examples such as "no smoking, study electricity and be better to parents". This shows the qualities of being an American hero and a har... ... middle of paper ... ... Through the tragic story of Jay Gatsby and his failed attempt to reach his dream, F. Scott Fitzgerald describes the need for hopes and dreams to give meaning and purpose to a man's efforts. Striving towards some ideal is the way by which a man can feel a sense of involvement, a sense of his own identity.