Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography was a significant model of the “American dream.” Franklin shared his life during the younger years of America, which went on to have a profound and indelible mark on society and the country as we know it today. Benjamin Franklin created this foundation, and it later became a roadmap for the “American dream” through his actions of upward socioeconomic mobility, and desire to improve the common good. Using his own life as a model, Franklin proved that, in America, people had the ability to build themselves up through hard work. Benjamin Franklin grew up in a meager house in Boston with his 16 older siblings. At the age of 16, Franklin decided to venture to Philadelphia to find work.
Franklin wasn’t exempt from the typical misconceptions and pre-conceived notions about people of color, though. When he visited a school where African children were being educated, he began change his feelings about race. This experience would change him so much so that he would later become the President of the Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage. Even though he owned 2 slaves for much of his adult life, he would later let them go free. Like his passion for women’s education, he proposed the idea that freed slaves were in need of education and would have a difficult time contributing to society without it (PBS, Benjamin Franklin Abolitionist, 2012).
On the other hand, Franklin was thought to be way ahead of his time. He was considered one of the most influential characters in the progression of the United States of
These events greatly impacted people and changed their views and perspectives during the eighteenth century colonial period. To start off, Benjamin Franklin gave a great deal to self-improvement and the morality of the soul. Benjamin assigned himself thirteen virtues in order to obtain moral perfection (94). Franklin believed that in order to become of use to
Benjamin Franklin is the ideal American and the one who revealed what is meant by the American dream. Before Franklin became the famous man who can anything and everything, he was a penniless man. By the age of 17 Franklin quit the apprenticeship that he had with his brother and moved to a new city on his own. “… I found myself in New York near 300 Miles from home, a boy of but 17, without the least recommendation to or knowledge of any
I want to explore and talk about their lives, and how their experiences based on their paths, gender, and even religion educated them and made them the influential people they are considered today. Franklin was born into a not so wealthy family. However, he was still educated, and his father wanted him to become a priest. Franklin didn’t want that and eventually his father realized this. Franklin eventually went to a printing press and wrote.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is one of the greatest autobiographies of all time. It is filled with interesting details about Franklin and how he pursued his life. Benjamin Franklin was born January 16, 1706 and died on April 17, 1790. Franklin a Founding Father and polymath, excelled as an inventor, journalist, politician, scientist, and was probably the most successful diplomat in America. After Franklin died, his work became one of the most influential examples of an autobiography ever written.
Even though, America wasn't franklin’s original country (Richard D. Miles), and had even gone as far as to leave his own son (Sheila L. Kemp “my son my enemy”) to help lead the patriots through the revolution. He became on of the most trusted allies to the patriots, Erik Niderost supports this when he writes, “...Franklin Quickly became the committees most prominent member. He had many connections in Europe, and his fame abroad might open doors, otherwise closed to America.” This shows leadership because Franklin uses his many connections to defeat the British. Another reason Benjamin Franklin was such a good leader was because the people felt that he represented them in a good way. “Benjamin Franklin was chosen to be one of pennsylvania's congressional representatives only a day after his return from england...”(Erik Niderost “revolutionary spymaster Benjamin Franklin”) This shows leadership because he was trusted by the people to lead them.
“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.
This quote suggests that Franklin thought if he was frugal people would respect him more. “The Way to Wealth” and The Autobiography prove that Franklin defined one aspect of American identity as being frugal. Tyler’s definition of what it means to be an American also includes frugality. Tyler’s characters with American