Benjamin Franklin's Life
The first part of the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is written in the first person to his son, William. He first speaks about his ancestors and how they were sort of revolutionaries themselves, refusing to give up Protestantism. His father, Josiah, expected him to become a minister but instead he took up an apprenticeship with his brother, James, as a printer. James' imprisonment lead to the dissipation of Benjamin's indentured servitude. He found work in Philadelphia with Samuel Keimer. Franklin gained favor of the Governor of Pennsylvania, Sir William Keith, who sent him to London in an attempt to gain supplies for a Printing business in Philadelphia. Sir William had apparently no credit in London, so Franklin found work at a printing house.
After 18 months in London Franklin returned to Philadelphia to help Mr. Denham, who was a merchant. The two set up a decent business until Denham died, leaving Franklin to go back to work as a partner with Keimer. Franklin is chosen to print the paper money of the colonies. Before being interrupted by the Revolutionary War, Franklin marries Miss Deborah Read. Part two begins with letters from Abel James and Benjamin Vaughn praising the work Franklin did thus far in his autobiography. Franklin takes on the task of becoming a more moral person, trying to perfect a list of 13 different virtues, Order being the most difficult to execute.
Later, Franklin talks about the trouble he went through so people would know that he was industrious. "I took care not only to be in Reality Industrious and frugal, but to avoid all Appearances of the contrary," he writes. To Franklin, it was not just important to be industrious, but he must also appear that way to others. Later he writes, "to show that I was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper I purchased at the stores through the streets on a wheelbarrow." He avoided everything that would suggest that he wasn't a man of industrious character and even went so car as to wheel his own papers through the streets of Philadelphia in a wheelbarrow. The importance of this quote is two fold. Firstly, it explains the importance of keeping up appearances. It is as if Franklin is saying that a person can only be what he is perceived to be by others. A man can be industrious, but if he is seen to be the opposite and thought to be the opposite by everyone else then which is truer, his industrious nature or his lazy nature. Secondly, the quote also explains the necessity of being humble. He did not want to appear to be above his own work so he did even the hard parts himself.
One moment, which illustrates his point, is when Franklin returns to his brothers printing business after he had been in Philadelphia for several months. He returns well dressed, with a new suit, a watch and silver coins in his pockets. From his appearance, it is clear that he has been successful since his departure. The journeymen are fascinated with his him, as he seems well traveled. In this passage, it is not enough that Franklin be successful, but he must also have the outward appearance of being successful.
After 18 months in London Franklin returned to Philadelphia to help Mr. Denham, who was a merchant. The two set up a decent business until Denham died, leaving Franklin to go back to work as a partner with Keimer. Franklin is chosen to print the paper money of the colonies. Before being interrupted by the Revolutionary War, Franklin marries Miss Deborah Read. Part two begins with letters from Abel James and Benjamin Vaughn praising the work Franklin did thus far in his autobiography. Franklin takes on the task of becoming a more moral person, trying to perfect a list of 13 different virtues, Order being the most difficult to execute.
Later, Franklin talks about the trouble he went through so people would know that he was industrious. "I took care not only to be in Reality Industrious and frugal, but to avoid all Appearances of the contrary," he writes. To Franklin, it was not just important to be industrious, but he must also appear that way to others. Later he writes, "to show that I was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper I purchased at the stores through the streets on a wheelbarrow." He avoided everything that would suggest that he wasn't a man of industrious character and even went so car as to wheel his own papers through the streets of Philadelphia in a wheelbarrow. The importance of this quote is two fold. Firstly, it explains the importance of keeping up appearances. It is as if Franklin is saying that a person can only be what he is perceived to be by others. A man can be industrious, but if he is seen to be the opposite and thought to be the opposite by everyone else then which is truer, his industrious nature or his lazy nature. Secondly, the quote also explains the necessity of being humble. He did not want to appear to be above his own work so he did even the hard parts himself.
One moment, which illustrates his point, is when Franklin returns to his brothers printing business after he had been in Philadelphia for several months. He returns well dressed, with a new suit, a watch and silver coins in his pockets. From his appearance, it is clear that he has been successful since his departure. The journeymen are fascinated with his him, as he seems well traveled. In this passage, it is not enough that Franklin be successful, but he must also have the outward appearance of being successful.
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