Benjamin Franklin and Olaudah Equiano lived during the same time period. Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the Untied States, and his commitment to making his country better was remarkable. Benjamin Franklin wrote his autobiography from 1771- 1791. Franklin passed away before he was able to see his autobiography published in 1791. Olaudah Equiano was a young boy when he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He was forced to work on naval vessels and on plantations in Virginia. Equiano published his interesting narrative in 1789. Franklin writes about his life as a key figure of American civilization. Equiano writes about his life as a slave and abolitionist against slavery. The autobiographies of Ben Franklin and Olaudah …show more content…
The authors also have different exigences for writing their autobiographies. Benjamin Franklin wrote his autobiography to help citizens of America, and inform them on his life accomplishments. Franklin wanted to help citizens prosper in their lives just like he did. Franklin gives tips and lays out ways to be a better person throughout his autobiography. The main example of his exigence is the virtues he explains. A few of the virtues Franklin explains are, “ Order- Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. Industry- Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. Tranquility- Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.” Franklin includes these virtues in his autobiography to provide the reader with ways to become a more successful person in life. Franklin wanted to give readers of his autobiography an outline of how to become successful in life through a few quick and easy steps. Olaudah Equiano’s main exigence or purpose for writing his autobiography is to provide the reader with knowledge of slavery. Equiano wanted everyone to know how cruel slavery was, and how unfair and poorly slaves were treated. He did this through telling his story as a slave during late 1700s. Equiano supports his purpose with
After he began writing letters under a nickname that he had chosen, he wrote an autobiography in attempt to “well equip his country” (Marcum 101). Franklin wanted to make sure that the people knew that the individual was more important than the faith, the country, or the whole. He wanted individuals to understand that they can decide their own way. Franklin, in writing his autobiography and expressing to the people how he felt, “learned from his writing” (Marcum 101). His writings during the Enlightenment helped get across to the country what he believed was right. According to Reck, Franklin, looked at his life like a printer does. His life was either perfect or marked with errors ( ). Franklin knew that his autobiography had errors or as he called them “erratum’s” (Reck). He worked on his writings and critiques them for years. In order to have peaceful relations, he believed free trade and reason served as the main
Olaudah and Benjamin where both different and similar in may ways and their own modes of writing and writing styles exhibit their own attitudes to the cause they cared about. Olaudah Equiano, was a former enslaved African and he wrote autobiography showing the horrors of lobbied and slavery and advocated for its abolition. Benjamin Franklin was a printer whose success as an author led him to take up politics; he helped draw up the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution Olaudah Equianos narrative teaches in a much humbler way compared to Benjamin franklin who is much prouder. Olaudah Equiano and Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin came up with the idea to make his life better by trying to be perfect in every way. This can otherwise be known as trying to reach a state of moral perfection, in which one could find themselves being happy with the life they live, and also living a pure, sinless life. It has come to be questioned if attempting to achieve moral perfection is a worthwhile goal. In the end of his experiment he ended up not being able to reach or achieve his goal but learned a very crucial, very valuable lesson. He discovered throughout the recesses of his journey that achieving his goal would be found to be impossible, but in turn he learned that many of the virtues are good to try and maintain during everyday activities and through life
Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography is an inspiring tale of his personal, as well as public achievement throughout his life. Franklin’s life embodies the exemplary model of a life composed of discipline, self-reliance and self improvement. From his humble beginnings as an apprentice candle and soap maker in his father’s business to a successful business man, author, philosopher, civil activist, politician scientist, inventor, and diplomat, above all Benjamin Franklin was, and still is, an American Icon and truly a pioneer of the American Dream.
During revolutionary America, Benjamin Franklin, Olaudah Equiano, and Phillis Wheatley all wrote autobiographical works that framed their identities and explored new ideas taking form through the Great Awakening and Enlightenment. Equiano and Wheatley wrote in support of abolition and used their works to exemplify that, while Franklin focused on the “American dream” and how he was able to achieve it. Despite these differences, all three were quick to mention religion in America and the Christian hypocrisy associated with it.
In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, we are reading the path that one man took to go from a middle class child to a well respected adult. Benjamin Franklin created what we know today as the American dream. Today we understand the American dream to be that one can go from rags to riches with a little hard work. The autobiography is based around the age of reason and a time man was thought to be able to be perfected by means of science and invention. The Autobiography of Benjamin
Benjamin Franklin and John Winthrop, men with different ideals, present the same notion that America should be presented as a “city upon a hill.” Franklin believed that the American dream should be presented as an ideal where men and women are equal and can both move up in social class on their own, practicing any religion they desired. On the other hand, Winthrop believed that the new world was a religious safe haven only for the Puritans. American Exceptionalism was overall the main focus, guiding America to define itself as a special nation founded upon democratic values and liberty.
John Hope Franklin born on January 02, 1915 and died March 25, 2009. He was an American historian of the United States and former president of Phi Beta Kappa, the Organization of American Historians, the American Historical Association, and the Southern Historical Association. Franklin is best known for his work From Slavery to Freedom, first published in 1947.
Every colonist that came to America had their own perceptions of its inhabitants. The majority of these people believed the Native Americans were savages because their culture differed from the colonists. To the colonists, everything needed to be proper. The way they dressed, whether or not they went to church, or how they raised their children needed to be up to code. If not, their fellow colonists looked differently at them. The natives were entirely different. Their goal was simply to survive, and they were conducting survival the best way they knew how to. The differences between the two cultures led to many severe problems. Mary Rowlandson and Benjamin Franklin had two entirely different views of the Native Americans, based upon their encounters with them.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin seem to prove to everyone how articulate, intelligent and sophisticated this man was. He wrote about the trials he underwent to become the writer he is known as today. He even was so intelligent he sought out to publish in his autobiography what virtues would have you “arriving at the door of moral perfection” (90). He wanted to show everyone that becoming perfect wasn't as arduous as everyone had thought. Benjamin Franklin was true Renaissance Man born at a different time period, Non-Religious and he indeed was being a sharp-witted mind that believed slavery was inhumane. Benjamin Franklin’s three personality traits that he exhibits are exhibited in Frederick Douglass.
His autobiography is the first example of the completion of the American Dream. Franklin talks about his life history as an example to exemplify the most significant American character and principles, like strength of mind, self-reliance, determination, hard work, penny-pinching, and dependence on a code of moral principles are the elements of achievement. He describes how he became an excellent citizen through lack of money and steady assiduousness. Franklin established the potential of life in the New World through his own rise of the social classes. His family was poor when he was a child, but despite that, he became a very rich and influential man. In addition, he declares that he pulled off his achievements through a diligent work ethic. He showed that even ordinary people in Boston possibly would, through industry, turn out to be great people of significance in America.
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
American success history recognizes the contributions made by two of its renowned leaders. The two are regarded as heroes despite the obvious differences between them abound. The two figures are regarded with comparable amounts of reverence even though they lived their lives in different ways. Nevertheless, both Benjamin Franklin and Fredrick Douglas gained their status through treading pathway of hard work. This paper, therefore, seeks to discuss the experiences that shaped the lives of both Franklin and Douglas. It also seeks to analyze the life of Fredrick Douglas as presented by John Stauffer. In comparing the two personalities, I will lay much emphasis on the role education played in making
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a detailed account of the illustrious experiences of Benjamin Franklin. Though the cultural differences in writing has changed since the 18th century one can learn a lot about one of America’s greatest forefathers through this book. It accounts for Franklin’s life when he was born January 17th, 1706 till the year 1757. Unfortunately, he died in 1790 and was never able to finish his autobiography. However, the book thoroughly details the early life of Benjamin Franklin.
“I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man,”(Hamilton). Alexander Hamilton was a fellow founding father of Benjamin Franklin and was first secretary of the treasury. Similarly to Franklin, Hamilton was a self made man and known for his self-improvement; however, Hamilton’s plan of self-improvement was different that Franklin’s. Due to Hamilton being born a bastard, thus being of low position, he seized every opportunity to gain knowledge and a higher social rank. In The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin, Franklin explains his plan for self-improvement. Franklin intentionally wants to live a life without any faults, so he lists thirteen good virtues he feels that he falls short of the mark and will try to maintain those virtues. He creates a calendar to track his progress, and starts at the first virtue the first week, then the second week he adds the second virtue.Benjamin Franklin didn’t make this plan up on the fly, he thought long and hard about how he would form the plan and his decisions affected his plan and results of the plan. The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin shows his plan having multiple uses and effects.