Franklin initially started with four resolutions however throughout the process Franklin's developed an additional thirteen virtues to better achieve moral perfection. Throughout the course of Benjamin Franklin's life he felt that he needed to improve and as a result we see the development and implementation of his four resolutions. Franklin aimed to be more frugal thus becoming more financially responsible and better able to repay his debts to others, this later became Franklin's first resolution. To Benjamin Franklin being honest and sincere with your words and following suit with your actions were of the utmost importance so in turn he established this as his second resolution. The third resolution that Benjamin Franklin set for himself was to remain industrious to whatever business project that he began and to avoid abandoning projects for the allure of suddenly becoming rich. Benjamin Franklin established these resolutions to aid him on his journey to moral perfection and this is very clear with Benjamin Franklin's fourth and final resolution which was to never speak ill of another man regardless of the circumstance even in a matter of truth because Franklin felt it would be better to speak good of everyone he
Robert Middlekauff is an intriguing historian from UC Berkeley that shares a part of history with people via his writings and lectures. In the book Benjamin Franklin and His Enemies, Robert Middlekauff does a stunning job in introducing the hectic life Benjamin Franklin. Robert Middlekauff being an amazing researcher and historian, he leaves out no nuances about Benjamin Franklin, not even the emotions. Throughout the book, Robert Middlekauff sets the setting and location allowing the reader to form a detailed image while reading the book. Robert Middlekauff explains that Benjamin Franklin was a well-spirited man with a darker side. Throughout this book, the darker side of Benjamin Franklin is unveiled through the friends and enemies he makes.
He related the story of a smith working on an axe and a customer decided that "a speckled axe is best" because good men should allow a few faults in himself for the sake of others. Benjamin Franklin claimed that he never completed his quest for moral perfection, but he did became happy. He stated, “I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it” (Franklin, Chapter
Franklin was trying to reach perfection, and this excerpt documents that struggle. Many people try to reach a higher level of humanity, but none are able to achieve it. People will alway be flawed, no matter how they may wish this was not the case. “...I believe this [is] the case of many, who, having, for want of some
Benjamin Banneker, in his letter to Thomas Jefferson, offers a series of arguments against the institution of slavery through a respectful tone, references to history, and the Bible. As a son of former slaves, Banneker is seeking justice for the black population and uses Jefferson’s own words against him as he speaks on behalf of “Black America.” He shares his opinions with Jefferson, who is higher authority, in a respectful manner while still managing to criticize him.
“The Old Grandfather and His Little Grandson” and “Abuelito Who” compare and contrast Literary Analysis’
A fairy tale is a type of a short fairytale that typically features European folkloric fantasy characters, such as dwarves, elves, witches and usually magic or enchantments . One such fairytale is HANSEL AND GRETEL (German: ' 'Hänsel und Gretel ' '). It was originally written by Giambattista Basile. However, it was later adapted by Brothers Grimm. The fairytale is of German origin and was written for the middle-class readers of the 19th century.
The Great American Dream is an ideal that states through hard work and dedication, every American citizen has the opportunity to accomplish personal goals and achieve success. The amount of effort put forth to obtain these goals, and achieve individualized success is decided upon by that citizen. Some of the more common goals and successes are ownership of property, obtaining wealth, enjoying liberties, experiencing patriotism, and raising a family. In “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving, the main character Rip is able to obtain the Great American Dream through laziness. Washington Irving satirizes the Great American Dream in his short story, and in this paper I will analyze how “Rip Van Winkle” can be read as a parody.
Franklin wrote a speech "The Speech of Polly Baker", this speech uses many syllogisms. The speech is about a women named Polly Baker who is arguing a case in court, she is being charged five times for having children without being married. Polly Baker questions why she is being charged for that and why that law even exists. Polly states "This may be agreeable to the Laws, and I don't dispute it; but since Laws are sometimes unreasonable in themselves, and therefore repealed, and others bear too hard on the Subject in particular severe with regard to me, who have always lived in an inoffensive Life in the Neighborhood where I was born...(921). She thinks this law is very unreasonable and she states that she is a good women and she shouldn't
During the late eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin was one of the intelligent fellows who blended classicism with romanticism. As he tried to accomplish moral perfection he documented his tactics and his results in The Autobiography. Franklin described this task as “an arduous project” and brought two polar aspects of life, morals and science, together to try and reach the pinnacle of morality through the creation
On May 9, 1754, Benjamin Franklin published his Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper, featuring one of the first published political cartoons in US history (Herskovits 2). The cartoon displayed a disconnected snake with the bold words “Join, Or Die” printed on the bottom. Contrary to popular belief that the cartoon was Revolutionary War propaganda, Franklin’s cartoon sought to unify the colonies in the French and Indian War. Prior to the French and Indian War, England’s North American colonies were mostly individual states. Other than sharing a common nationality and ruling government, the colonies had very little in common. As conflict arose between England and France, the colonies had to unify and defend themselves against the hostile French and
The three stories to be discussed in this essay are “The Bouquet” by Charles W. Chesnutt, “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and “Gimpel the Fool” by Isaac Bashevis Singer. It’s interesting to dissect these pieces of literature to see how they reflect the time period they were written in, by whom they were written, and if the stories they read have any abnormalities outside what is expected.
Robert Middlekauff starts off by introducing Benjamin Franklin as a well-mannered and civic-minded individual who is loved by everyone. Of course, Benjamin Franklin was a little bit reserved when it came to strangers, but that never stopped people from growing fond of him. His good heart and spirit lead him to amazing people like Margaret Stevenson (Polly), John Adams, William Strahan, and Thomas Jefferson to name a few. Besides from having a well-liked personality Robert Middlekauff also reveals that Benjamin Franklin was a curious man who came equipped with an outstanding resumé. Benjamin Franklin’s resumé starts from a print shop to a politician, and finally to a scientist. Having worked in different
When the letter, “Pax Queritur Bello” was created by Ben Franklin, Britain was in the midst of discussion on enacting the Stamp Act which would places taxes on all papers. It was before this moment that numerous Americans were becoming rebellious to the mother country because of how they were being treated. Multiple taxes, fees, and prejudicial acts were being placed upon the American people causing aggression between the colonies and Great Britain. Furthermore, they had used their own rights as reason to the idea that they are being treated unfairly. As displeasure flourished throughout America, Ben Franklin decided to write a letter claiming that Britain should continue to use their colonies in any matter they please; however, the fate of
a.) An allegory is a story which characters, settings, and events stand for moral concepts. Allegories contain meanings that are symbolic and literal. “The Pardoner’s Tale” is an allegory because the 3 rioters believe in death actually behind the tree. Instead, they find coins there which symbolize their greediness. Greed is not a moral decision by any means. The rioters thought that they were going to find what they wanted behind the tree, but their greed ultimately ended all of their selfish lives.