What Is Benjamin Franklin's Response To Man And Death

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Man and Death: An Analytical Response Virtue, happiness, religion, racial equality, marriage and war were all topics he wrote about. He wrote about death this time. The year was 1756 and Benjamin Franklin wrote to his brother John’s step-daughter, Elizabeth Hubbart, consoling her after the death of her step-father. In a fairly short letter, he said, “man is not completely born until he is dead.” The letter as a whole was about death and why it isn’t as bad as we think. This quotes means something different to all who have read it, including myself. Death is the end; it’s the end of your life. Birth is the start; it’s the start of your life. In Benjamin Franklin’s quote he uses the word “completely” which makes me interpret “born” in a different way than birth itself. To me, you are completely born means knowing yourself and being at full potential. I disagree with the quote because I think you are completely born when you become an adult. As an adult, you are seen as a legal, law-abiding citizen. You have more rights than you did when you were younger but you don’t really get any more. Becoming an adult is the last big milestone. You move onto …show more content…

Death is always a hard thing to talk about, especially if someone is overcome with sadness, but is a necessity because it’s inevitable. I applaud Benjamin Franklin for trying to comfort his step-niece and that he has such a positive outlook on death. With my further research into the quote and after reading the whole letter, I understand what he meant, especially with the full context of the situation. In the hopes of being completely born, whether one believes that is with adulthood or death, live your life to it’s fullest. Do you want to look back on your life with regrets or with

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