The United States since it’s conception has been a place of rebirth and new beginnings. Many immigrants who settled in America, sought to escape the economic and political constraints of their homelands as a result of a caste systems based solely on heredity. Men whom were not the oldest son or whom were born to poverty had little opportunity to improve their lives or their station in Europe. However, America at its birth lacked this caste system. Instead the fledgling nation, was built upon a foundation of self starters. These settlers succeeded through their own handwork and diligence. Benjamin Franklin the youngest in his family of seventeen, capitalized on the advantages of the American system. Franklin propelled himself as a boy of little
…show more content…
He hoped this manual of his life could be examined and emulated by future Americans. Franklin explained this purpose of his writings in the introduction of his autobiography with a message to his son. He declared the reasons for writing his story originally were both a means of recording family history but also were a means of offering advice to his son and his posterity (Franklin pg 9). As his biography progressed Franklin’s style changed to reveal a tutorial approach that offered advice to a wider audience. Benjamin Vaughan upon reading an outline of the biography encouraged Franklin to publish his autobiography for the benefit of the people (Franklin pg. 70). Vaughn believed Franklin’s biography would embody the American character. This book in his view would show the internal circumstances of opportunity and social mobility that lead to the manner and situation that lead Americans to become a separate people from Europe. He goes on to say that Franklin’s character and virtue throughout the biography will showcase pride that a man’s origins has no bearing on achieving happiness in America. Finally he declares that Franklin’s biography will in fact provide instructions in self education where even the wisest of men could improve their success in American (Franklin pg 71, 72).The American Identity has embraced many of
He hoped this manual of his life could be examined and emulated by future Americans. Franklin explained this purpose of his writings in the introduction of his autobiography with a message to his son. He declared the reasons for writing his story originally were both a means of recording family history but also were a means of offering advice to his son and his posterity (Franklin pg 9). As his biography progressed Franklin’s style changed to reveal a tutorial approach that offered advice to a wider audience. Benjamin Vaughan upon reading an outline of the biography encouraged Franklin to publish his autobiography for the benefit of the people (Franklin pg. 70). Vaughn believed Franklin’s biography would embody the American character. This book in his view would show the internal circumstances of opportunity and social mobility that lead to the manner and situation that lead Americans to become a separate people from Europe. He goes on to say that Franklin’s character and virtue throughout the biography will showcase pride that a man’s origins has no bearing on achieving happiness in America. Finally he declares that Franklin’s biography will in fact provide instructions in self education where even the wisest of men could improve their success in American (Franklin pg 71, 72).The American Identity has embraced many of