Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress

This selection gives interesting insight into the world of Franklin, relating both to his everyday habits, and his reactions to the Enlightenment. There was one very interesting, but small segment, towards the end of the selection. It read, ‘It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection; I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into .. . . But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined.’ This particular section of the source was very revealing of Franklin’s character. Throughout the entire paper, Franklin had discussed different aspects of his upbringing, and current lifestyle, however this quote reveals more about the man behind the paper than anything else. Yet, he spent most of the text comparing his life to religious teachings, and the paths that the Enlightenment opened.

He is displaying the arising thought that was widespread during the 1700s-1800s, the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment movement “emphasized the power of reason to improve human society by seeking the truth and dispelling superstition”(Cain, et al 236). Logic and reason is given prominence over faith. Alternatively, Bradstreet might have said God handed her the success. The difference in the thought process between the two writers is attributed to the importance of religion in their writing. In the 1600s, Puritanism is at the forefront of the colonies and contributed to Bradstreet’s poems; whereas, Franklin is moving the country from the application of religion to applying scientific reasoning in life.

By explaining this, he is attempting to persuade people to follow his lifestyle, citing that by doing so, it is possible to cleave oneself of the hindrances that prevent a flawless surface and by not doing so, it is impossible to grind that axe to perfection, which solidifies Franklin’s position as the archetype for neoclassicism and

Franklin also gave many examples to the reader of his autobiography to practice diligence in minding the company they keep and gave much advice about keeping away from questionable establishments and having nothing to do with scoundrels. He made points to make friendships with people that were of good reputation, men who as himself had interest in education and industry and in his youth many older men whose advice he regarded before many life altering

The affliction of vanity appears regularly throughout both pieces of work by Franklin and Woolman. The two men seem to be hampered by this vice of pride and wishing to possess humility. Benjamin Franklin addresses this burden of appearing vain as an issue and aims to improve himself with his constituted principles. He lists “Humility” as his last virtue he aspires to develop so as to “Imitate Jesus and Socrates” (Franklin, 79). How ironic of Franklin to want to be humble, yet strive for moral perfection! Franklin so much as prides himself on this list of virtues that heavily influences his life. However, he accordingly considers pride to be one of the most difficult to overcome considering one can “disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself...” (Franklin,

In Pride and Prejudice Author Jane Austen claims that marriage should be between a man and women who love each other equally. Austen's disgust of Marriage and decorum in British culture is written through the eyes of main the main character in Pride and Prejudice, Miss Elizabeth Bennett. It is sad to think that marriage could be bought or in Elizabeth Bennett’s case not afforded. Marriage shouldn’t be the only measure of worth for women. Someone should not feel “repugnance” for a marriage due to situation.

Ben Franklin is known for a slew of accomplishments in his life as a Founding Father of the United States. An inventor and author, among other occupations, Ben Franklin grew quite a fan base in his lifetime, despite having such progressive beliefs. One of his most progressive pieces of writing, “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker,” discusses the inequality surrounding laws against having children outside of marriage, specifically regarding how it impacted women. In Benjamin Franklin’s “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker,” Franklin uses wit to effectively argue that the sexist punishments of laws against having children out of wedlock are absurd by appealing to the reader’s ethos, logos, and pathos through the voice of Polly Baker (Franklin, 242-44).

Franklin had a lot of respect for women, especially in a social setting. He did not a typical man’s perspective about women, he had a different understanding of women and their role in marriage. In his autobiography, Franklin spoke of his wife with compassion and appreciation quoting an English proverb “He that would thrive must ask his wife” (Franklin 62). Franklin respected his wife for her work ethic and considered himself lucky to such an amazing woman in his life. Through his respect for his wife, Franklin demonstrated a respect for all women and not just their ability to do basic household chores but their ability to perform difficult tasks in the workplace as well. He believed that there was room for women in the American Dream. During this time, women did not have very large roles in society besides being in charge or maintaining the household, but Franklin foreshadowed an America that would have women as a strong part of the workforce and leadership. He had high hopes that women would climb the ranks of society just as men did.

In the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, marriage is a significant issue for almost every single character that we are introduced to. In the year 1813, when the novel was first published, it was natural for people to wed due to status and practicality instead of for true love. The very first line of the novel is the perfect introduction to this ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife’. Indeed, in 1813 marriage was seen as a financial transaction and women were seen as a commodity who had to be wed in order

Thesis: In his autobiography, Franklin is undoubtedly concerned with developing virtue and self-improvement, but relies on others as the primary frame of reference for his own progress, always measuring himself with others. This habit of comparison results in the development of vices as well as virtues.

In Geoffrey Chaucer's work, The Canterbury Tales, many travelers gather together to begin a pilgrimage. During their quest, each of the pilgrims proceed to tell a tale to entertain the group. From these stories arise four different tales, in which Chaucer uses to examine the concept of marriage and the problems that arise from this bonding of two people. In the tales of "The Franklin", "The Clerk", "The Wife of Bath", and "The Merchant", marriage is debated and examined from different perspectives. Out of the four tales, The Franklin's Tale presents the most reasonable solution to the marriage debate because the problems are resolved with the least amount of heartache.

In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts

‘Pride and Prejudice’ is a novel fixated on marriage: throughout, all the ‘action’ occurs within scenes devoted to either the talk of marriage or actual proposals. This cannot be expounded more than within the very first line: ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife’. Here, at the beginning of the novel, a definite, though somewhat sarcastic, statement introduces the main theme of the novel – marriage- and, possibly more importantly, not love.

It is truly impossible to believe that relationships have not changed at all since Austen’s time. Pride and Prejudice took place in a setting where the male had complete authority over the female, and primogeniture decided who received the family fortune. However, most of Austen’s main points about personal relationships still ring true today. For instance, Austen begins her novel by saying, “it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” (Austen 1). People in

The opening line in Austen’s P&P “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” is a direct reflection of society’s views on marriage in the 19th century.The irony of this quote however stems from the fact that it is more evident for a single woman, due to societal restrictions would be in want of a husband.In this period, a person was judged on their economical stance rather than their nature as exemplified by Mrs Bennet when she exclaims to Mr Bennet “A single man of large fortune: what a fine thing for our girls!” with the knowledge of the financial security that can be sought