Benjamin Franklin Compare And Contrast Essay

Hundreds of years ago, numerous amounts of brave patriots existed, only some actually finding success. In the era of the Revolutionary War, there were nominal amounts of patriots, since many didn’t want to die. However, one of the greatest diplomat ever to live, rose up and took all the will to defend our land and the Constitution. Born in Boston on January 17, 1706, young Franklin struck out on his own in 1723, eventually finding success when leading America to its pinnacle (Heath par. 2). Franklin was the only natural philosopher, who earned a reputation in all of America and Asia. Traveling thousands of miles, place to place, he worked dedicatedly to improve the status of America. His impact in America came through his various inventions,

Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the key Founding Fathers of the United States as a renowned diplomat that helped build our country’s allyship with France and a civic activist for public institutions. While seen as the original ‘self made man’ of America and the root of the concept know as the ‘American Dream’, others have become critical of Franklin over time. Some believe that while Franklin had good intentions in creating public institutions, that they were primarily made for his own personal gain. Yet when one looks at the moral values of the club Franklin lead and his meticulous tracking of his ideas for individual improvement, it is clear that while Franklin’s scope of betterment may have started with just himself in mind, it

Earlier in the semester we were introduced to John De Crevecoeur’s letters from an American Farmer and Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography. The two books both had strong opinions about what American and what the “New Man” was in American during the 18th century. In the 18th century Benjamin franklin was the man who invented the American dream for many people. His Dream was that through hard work and honesty any man can gain respect in the community; along with deserving prosperity and economic protection. he also believed that American was a place where you could come and have a new start. John De Crevecoeur’s vison of the America and the “New Man” is a man who is leaving behind his old ways to create new ways and adapt new manner to make a new life for himself.

Arguably one of the most beloved founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin has been an exceptional example of a man pursuing and living the American Dream. Today we have an immense amount primary sources that illuminate the life of Franklin and his ventures including entire volumes of correspondences with a broad spectrum of people and countless articles and pamphlets authored by himself. While these documents provide inclusive information concerning his service to his country, sciences, and other attributable accomplishments, they also paint a picture of a promiscuous man, who undoubtedly reveled in the company of many different companions. And like many white American and white Europeans during the period, he owned slaves for most of his adult

Franklin contributed some of his success in this area to his wife, whom he says is “as much dispos’d to industry and frugality as [himself]” (Franklin 37). Together, their table was “plain and simple”, their furniture “of the cheapest”, and Franklin’s breakfast was milk without tea, eaten out of a “twopenny earthen porringer” with a pewter spoon (Franklin 37). Franklin did not see value in upgrading his pewter spoon to silver or his cheap porringer to a china bowl. Franklin valued practicality and would rather avoid the enormous sum of “three-and-twenty shillings” for such things when the pewter spoon does the same job for a fraction of the price (Franklin 37). Franklin is frugal with his diet, as well. Franklin avoids overconsumption of alcohol because he knows that a loaf of bread is a better use of his money. Franklin realizes that bread is much more satisfying than a beer or “grain of . . . barley dissolved in . . . water” ever would be (Franklin 23). At age 16, Franklin took on a vegetable diet so that he could save half of what his brother gave him for board money (Franklin 6). Franklin values frugality so highly that he refers to as the way to wealth, freedom from debt, and “producing affluence and independence” (Franklin 38). Franklin goes as far as to “avoid all appearances to the contrary [of being frugal]”, by always dressing plainly when out in public and not being seen at expensive, “places of idle diversion” (Franklin 33). Franklin’s combined frugality and humble appearance worked in his favor, as he was seen as a “thriving young man” whom merchants would import stationery for and “others would supply . . . with books” (Franklin 33). This frugality of Franklin’s gave him social standing, success, and riches. Frugality is an American ideal due to the benefits one can reap from it, and Franklin is a great example of what it means to be

Through his efforts to influence and inspire the world, Benjamin Franklin led America to reach new heights that would eventually make it the strongest nation known to man. As one of the most involved men in the United States during his time, he managed to transform America and change it into the country its citizens love today. There are many ways that Franklin provoked the lives of the American people during his life. Even after his death, the whole nation carried on its motivation that was sparked by Benjamin Franklin. Franklin’s life was greatly influenced by Renaissance idealism. He was very inspired by the world around him and decided to pursue many aspects of the world which he found interesting. Most would say he was

To start with, it is hard to underestimate what Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglas did for the United States of America. People continue to respect them and their willingness to change this world into something better. Besides their strong love to liberty these representatives of the history of United States are usually presented as keepers of fundamental American values such as openness, informality, individualism, enterprise, directness, self-reliance and honesty. It is clear that these two men are very different from each other, but they do have a number of similarities that will be presented below as well as differences.

I chose The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin. I am very familiar with it because I did a project on it, so I will be able to explain it in greater detail than if I had chosen another story. It was quite enjoyable and informative, too, so I find it interesting to discuss. The Autobiography is about Franklin’s journey to become a better person. He originally wanted to become perfect, but he was never able to achieve this goal.

The American dream carries a different meaning for every person. The definition may also change according to the time period and situation. In many sources, the American dream is defined as the ideal that all United States citizens should have equal opportunity to obtain success and prosperity through dedication. Two famous speeches, “The Speech at the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry and “The Speech in the Constitutional Convention” by Benjamin Franklin, define the term American dream during the time we were fighting for our independence. These speeches helped define the American dream by motivating the colonists to build the foundation foundation of the term, which is freedom and independence.

The advantage of having many past experiences and being an old man is a great way to get attention from others. A wise old man who is willing to take any judgement or risk for what is best for his country and the people. Benjamin Franklin , author of the “Speech in the Convention” (1787), persuade his audience with the rhetorical techniques, by comparing the delegates through allusions and humbling his own ethos in order to convince the congress to pass the constitution by its flaw.

In Patrick Henry’s speech in the Virginia Convention he talked about how the people of Virginia needed to fight the British. In Benjamin Franklin’s speech in the Convention he talked on how he thought the Constitution had some problems and how he thought it could be different to help all the people of the country.

Benjamin Franklin wrote his autobiography in during the 1700’s about his life starting with his early childhood and through the last couple of year he was alive. Franklin speaks about his life comparing his actions to the Hero’s Journey; Call to Adventure, Crossing the Threshold, as well as Challenges and Temptations. The Hero’s Journey; originally called a Monomyth, was introduced and written by Joseph Campbell in his book; The Hero With A Thousand Faces published in 1949. The Hero’s Journey is a series of events that a person experiences on his or her way to becoming a true hero. Benjamin Franklin; in his autobiography, speaks about the hero’s journey, referencing his life to the Call to Adventure, Crossing the

“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”

“Benjamin Franklin lived his life in the spirit of a renaissance man: he was deeply interested in the world around him, and he excelled in several widely differing fields of human endeavor.” (“Home”). Franklin was born in Boston of 1706 where he was raised in a poor family and was unable to have an education for more than two years. At age 12, he was apprenticed by his older brother who worked in a printing business. Benjamin later became successful in the printing business and soon became successful through his inventions as well. Later, he also became involved in politics and became one of the founding fathers. Benjamin Franklin made significant impacts on America with his inventions and politics.

In “Biography of Benjamin Franklin” and “Nat Turner’s Confession," both Benjamin Franklin and Nat Turner seek a goal that shape their identity. However, both men convey their actions through their tone and language. Benjamin Franklin relies on his tone and language as a source that highlight his passion that help him work his way up from humble beginnings and amplify his masculine identity to show his power and control. In comparison to Nat Turner, who starts from the bottom working as a slave and uses his tone and language to highlight his plans to take control of a vision he sees. Therefore, Benjamin Franklin and Nat Turner convey their masculine identity through their determination and leadership to create change in society.