The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin

Every autobiography I have read has attempted to persuade the audience why their autobiography is worth reading. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is no different. However, the introduction proclaimed that this autobiography should be a friend to the American people, which intrigued me to believe this autobiography was more than the perspective of Franklin himself. It was the life of a person living in the eighteenth century. Furthermore, the introduction contained several statements that articulated the greatness of Benjamin Franklin. First, it is stated “The life of Benjamin Franklin is of importance to every American primarily because of the part he played in securing the independence of the United States and in establishing it as

Benjamin Franklin, born in 1706 in Boston, was raised by his father, Josiah Franklin. Franklin’s father urged Benjamin to work for the church since Benjamin excelled in reading and was viewed as a scholar. However, Benjamin was not satisfied with that plan. The beginning of the autobiography includes details that represent who Benjamin Franklin is. For instance, when he had failed to pay attention to figures in school, Franklin read a book of arithmetic on his own with no difficulty. Another interesting thing about Franklin’s passion for reading and learning is that he went on a vegetarian diet in order to save money to purchase books. Specifically, when Franklin was an apprentice for his brother, James (a printer), Franklin asked his brother for the money that boards him and said he would feed himself. Therefore, half the money was used to buy Franklin’s books, which he sold after reading. This strong initiative at such a young age (before 21 years old) built Franklin’s character. Additionally, Franklin began writing his arguments on paper, such as the one he had with his colleague, Collins, about women receiving an education (Franklin 22). When Franklin’s father finds these writings, he critiques his manner of writing (the writing lacked elegance of expression). Rather than getting upset with his father, Benjamin

It is more than a personal account of Franklin’s life. This autobiography informs the reader with the hardships of people in the eighteenth century, such as poverty (Genocities 2009). Furthermore, the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin demonstrates that today we are able to access an education more facile, where we learn a variety of subjects. From these subjects, people determine what field they want to go into for their career. In Franklin’s time, education was limited for him, and he had to search for ways to broaden his education life. Franklin is successful in implementing his beliefs in his writing, especially with his structure of the autobiography. Additionally, Franklin outlines his successes as well as how he was able to accomplish what he had done. Overall, the autobiography provides readers with an understanding of the Founding Father’s