Why Was Franklin A Fake Person?

Just this small page revealed more to the reader than many other articles about Franklin can. A perfectionistic attitude within the usually glorified hero of America. He was very hard on himself, and clearly tried to live a frugal lifestyle. As a historic character who is often glorified, this human perspective was

The essay Citizen Ben: A worldly American’s Seven Great Virtues by Walter Isaacson is an essay begins talking about Benjamin Franklin. When we think of Benjamin Franklin our minds automatically turn to the story about him flying a kite in a lightening storm with a rod on to prove that lightening was electricity. This is one thing that Franklin did but he did many more as well, in fact it says that he was an inventor diplomat, writer and business strategist. He helped bring the country that we live in today about. There are many views on him that show him in a good light and some that show him in a bad light. There are some that saw that he was shallow and didn’t show great

Franklin was a very witty man with a sharp sense of humor that was funny as well very competent. He made comments that would seem to make no sense at all, but actually made more sense than what anyone else had said. He sadly had gout in his foot, but that didn’t stop from being one of the most significant people in American history. Franklin also wanted the turkey as the national bird.

It is easy to see Benjamin Franklin was no doubt an archetypal American. No one since him has ever had the same amount of success as him. He was a private businessman who made enough money to retire early and to spend the rest of his life in politics. Around this time period only the rich were able to retire early. He was industrious. Franklin continually put forth the idea of the industrious American. He had support from the middle-class who did not care if he was rich but he was a man who was self-made and worked hard. This American attitude was formed early and most of it by him. Franklin was also not judgmental came to decisions and conclusions as a businessman and politician. However, his attitude was non-judgmental with respect to a

“Though I am still of opinion that it, was a practicable scheme, and might have been useful, by forming a good number of citizens: and I was not discouraged by the seeming magnitude of the undertaking as I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes and accomplish great affairs among mankind (pg. 106).” Benjamin Franklin is an archetypal American because everybody wants to be just like him. He wrote this book to show the right way to become the perfect American. Also, he wrote this autobiography to explain to his son and to other people about how to be the ideal American. Benjamin Franklin became a deism because it helped him become more open-minded. A deism is a person that believes that god created the

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 sites a strong work ethic throughout his autobiography as a means of advancement in life. At 17 years of age, he ran away to New York and the first thing he did was to seek suitable employment. After experiencing many a hardship Franklin remained resolved and finally established himself in Philadelphia were he found work and much favor with whomever he acquainted himself with. He firmly was against wasting time on frivolous activities and encouraged the reader to mind their business and be industrious in all things. This too was a practice he implemented his whole life and was the reason he was rewarded on several occasions with better opportunities and advancement in business.

He also talks about how he doesn’t mind contributing to the local Presbyterian minister’s salary even though he hardly attended, or really paid attention to his sermons. It’s all because of Franklin’s very progressive process of thought. He didn’t think like most of the people around him, he was able to see that some things didn’t make sense and he would oppose said thoughts that most people agreed with because of their faith. “It will be remark'd that, tho' my Scheme was not wholly without Religion there was in it no Mark of any of the distinguishing Tenets of any particular Sect.” (Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 102) This is just him pointing out that his beliefs are not without the ideals that religion has put out there, but that he is not a part of any sole religion. Ironically, in a way, he is part of his own personalized religion. It’s not one many people are part of, but he follows his own rules, beliefs and traditions.

The first way Benjamin Franklin attempted to become perfect was he listed character traits that contributed to perfectibility. He believed a person that was perfect had these specific traits. The character traits were: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Franklin made a chart with

Parts three and four are the business portions of The Autobiography. Part three, the longest of the four sections, began in 1788. This portion “marks a gradual change in focus from personal anecdotes and advice on virtue to a comparatively dry rendering of his public activities and Philadelphia’s political concerns” (Moss and Wilson 26). His change in topic, however, is not all boring. He describes his success in his everyday life. For example, Franklin discusses his jobs and, more in depth, the part he played in the French and Indian War. He also briefly talks about his inventions and experiments with electricity. All of his involvements back up the belief of his being a man of the Enlightenment period. He strived to succeed and never settled for less. This is evident in part four of The Autobiography. Franklin discusses his travels to England, where he acts as a financial advisor (Moss and Wilson 26).

Franklin showed he was strong in many ways despite his disabilities. Franklin first had to be

Benjamin Franklin is revered as the American model, through his character, actions, thoughts and beliefs. Franklin always found a sense of pride and honor in being an American, rather than that of British aristocracy. Franklin became the embodiment of the American spirit. Not only his virtues, but also his life story shown through and is labeled as the true American character. He was pious, prudent, discreet and virtuous. Franklin’s sense of virtues was comparable to that of religious principles. He came

Franklin opens his essay with an appeal to Ethos, using self-deprecating humor to make the audience more receptive to his argument. Franklin wrote a letter to George Washington regarding the constitution. Franklin starts off by saying “I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve..” Franklin also says, “I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, to change opinions..” Franklin speaks about how he his opinions change as a result of being open minded. “It is therefore the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and pay more respect to the judgment of others.” “Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all

Throughout literature, one is introduced to many characters, and there is always a reason that they are mentioned, whether it be the characters’ relationship to a certain person or just the person in general. In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, he introduces the reader to many different characters within the first part of the book. There are three specific characters that really catch the eye, based off the information one is given, while reading. James Ralph, James Franklin and Samuel Keimer are all very important to Benjamin Franklin in many different ways. These characters show that people usually surround themselves with people that are similar to them and that one’s friends help shape their character. James Ralph was a person

Franklin also played the harp, violin, and guitar which expresses his great love for music and his love for learning. Benjamin cared that young people got a good education; he thought that "education today is