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.…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
Many people try to better themselves, whether it may be through scoring better on an English paper or through better understanding the idea of quantum physics. However, people also try to better their character, as Benjamin Franklin explains in his book The Autobiography. Although people most commonly know Benjamin Franklin as an inventor and a founding father, few know him as a writer. In The Autobiography, Franklin discusses prominent events in his life through a comedic tone, but more importantly discusses thirteen virtues. He attributes these virtues to his success and explains the ways he tries to incorporate these traits into his life.…
During the twentieth century, many people came into America as immigrants looking for freedom and a new start. America as a nation brought upon a new belief of self-invention, which was an opportunity for those who wanted to change their lives. Benjamin Franklin is a primary example of self-invention. Started, only affording three loaves of bread and had left been his own ingenuity on the streets of Boston, Benjamin became one of the most successful printers and inventors of his time period. The American Dream had an idea that you could make anything of yourself and believed that through hard work and dedication nothing could stand in the way of your success and goals.…
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.…
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.…
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.…
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.…