Douglass and Franklin epitomize the ideal self-made man and overcame obstacles not known to Americans today. As McMichael and Leonard state Franklin was, “Model of the self-made man, a culture-hero whose life exemplifies the American dream of the poor boy who makes good” (375). Franklin’s resume was extensive and long and included, but not limited to: a printer, a fireman, a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, signer of four major documents in the history of America. According to Walter Isaacson, “Franklin was the first great embodiment of that American archetype: the spunky, self-made Horatio Alger who rises from rags to riches by aspiration and grit, and then dedicates himself to creating a society where others can do the same.”…
In The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin, Wood explains the life of the Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, and shows how he became one of America’s greatest icons. Also, he gives readers a new understanding of the American Revolution and a profound insight into the emergence of America’s ideas itself (16). Wood also examines the events that caused Franklin’s life and views to change not only himself but American Culture (246). Moreover, individuals today do not know where life will lead them; however, just like Franklin he was never destined to be the symbol of significance as the entrepreneurial American nor was he destined to be an American (x). Therefore, just like Franklin, individuals should never give up nor settle for less in order to achieve their dreams.…
In early United States History, Benjamin Franklin was known for being a different kind of person. He never followed the rules like everyone else and always “marched to the beat of his own drum”. This difference from everyone else is what made Franklin a prominent figure in early American society. Franklin also uses this difference to help get his beliefs about society across to citizens. He uses satire to call people out and try to fix issues in the colonies.…
For Franklin, his devotion lies in self-improvement. He states in his autobiography, on the subject of becoming virtuous, “It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wish 'd to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into” (17). To the extent of achieving moral perfection Franklin shows a strong dedication to improving oneself. He admits the task is challenging and even daring but, yet through his adamant tone he shows his perseverance on the matter.…
Whenever an opportunity presented itself, Franklin made the most of it by improving his knowledge in every way possible. Similarly to Douglass, once Franklin got a taste of knowledge, he yearned with all of his might to learn as much as he possibly could. In his autobiography, Franklin demonstrates his early passion for reading, “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, 9). Franklin’s pursuit for education only grew stronger as he grew older.…
He did this from his hard-earned education and his hard work in general. When putting his whole together, it is easy to say that Benjamin Franklin lived the American Dream. He came from a poor family with almost nothing and then became a wealthy, well known man. Franklin had accomplished the goals he set and went to the point of helping others. Essentially, Benjamin Franklin’s American Dream was that he earned a lot of money, created inventions, and did some civic engagement.…
The immigrants experiences in the reading were overall very positive. The lithuanian and italian bootback bothers stories started off rocky due to the lithuanian listening to his fellow countrymen about how he must “ look rich even if you are not rich” using the little bit money he brought with him to America to buy a a expensive suit and to bribe to the police officer to help secure a job in the slaughterhouse. The bootblack brothers were taken advantage of as soon they stepped off the boat. Even though Bartolo saved the brothers from being sent back to italy he took advantage of the brothers and other men to help line his pockets with money.…
Benjamin Franklin defines both the community builder and rugged individual through positively urging the citizens to succeed, his efforts to create a system of education for all, and pushing himself to become the political figurehead America needs. Benjamin Franklin tells Americans to seek success through both hard work and creating opportunities for themselves with the quote, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” (Franklin 11). Here he promotes being an opportune person reaching for every possible advantage. He claims the best way to get the tasks, needed or desired, done can be through taking initiative. This quote puts a stress on dealing with the daily…
Beginning with Franklin's childhood, Gordon Wood explains how Franklin transformed into to a prototypical American in The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. In Gordon S. Wood’s biography, The Americanization…
When Benjamin Franklin is mentioned, generally his several contributions to United States Society come to mind. It is interesting to find then, that someone who so willingly gave up his time and put in effort to help society, in reality, admittedly had a big pride issue. Plainly, this pride can be seen throughout The Autobiography that Franklin wrote as he recounts his accomplishments. Additionally still however, through Franklin’s writings, it is clear that his pride leads him to build himself up while putting down others and even getting revenge on those who did not support him or acted as stumbling blocks as he came to be successful. First and foremost, the clearest example of Franklin’s fault is illustrated as he describes his desire to…
From an early age Benjamin Franklin was very interested in politics and government. Due to this, he was a firm believer in civic duty and public service. Benjamin Franklin was a great example of a citizen who does their…
The American Dream is to achieve prosperity, success, and wealth through hard work. The ideal of American Dream has powered the aspirations of Americans for generations. However, the dream has now become a nightmare for many Americans. Most young people don’t expect to achieve the same kind of wealth that their parents had in the old days because the American dream has become impossible for most people to accomplish. As the American dream are becoming progressively unaffordable for majority, it’s gradually dying.…
The American Dream is a term used to express the idea that in America, through hard work, someone can attain success and prosperity. The ideas of the American dream have been around for centuries. Everyone has their own version of the American Dream. Some believe the American dream is simply a myth, and some believe it is real. In “The Pursuit of Happyness” by Gabriele Muccino and “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, the authors have different views on the American Dream; Steinbeck believes the American Dream is unachievable while Muccino believes the American dream is attainable but only with hard work and enough ambition.…
Those would be the ingredients according to Franklin of success. He has showed how he shaped himself through hardship and diligence. He has also demonstrated his life in the New World, and how he started off as a lower middle class man to one of the most admired men. When anyone is thinking about the American Dream, they should think of Benjamin Franklin who represented that. He mostly acquired his values and work ethic from his beginnings and his family.…
Benjamin Franklin had a profound effect on his community, the city of Philadelphia, our nation and people all over the world. He is often believed to be one of the most prolific authors and contributors early to American literature. His idealistic views, wisdom and leadership approach are unmatched. Moreover, many life lessons can be learned from studying The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Always surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who will propel you to greatness: Benjamin Franklin associated with a group of friends who all enjoyed.…