Benjamin Franklin Autobiography

Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography

Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography would be an excellent choice to read over any sort of vacation from school, work, etc. I highly recommend every citizen in America who truly cares about their country and would like to make a difference in the world to learn as much as the possibly can about this inspiring American figure and icon. Benjamin Franklin is an excellent example of what an American is and he is someone we should all strive to be like as Americans ourselves. Many people know him as one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as well as the Constitution. They know some of his popular phrases such as "a penny saved is a penny earned." Yet, many fail to realize all of the other accomplishments that this man had throughout his life and the great changes that he made to American society that are benefitting us even today. Luckily Benjamin Franklin is the most accessible of all of our countries founders. Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography is an excellent glimpse into this American's life, focusing on the themes of being modest and hard working, the "American Dream," and living a virtuous life.

Franklin begins his autobiography as a letter to his son, describing why this recollection of his life may be useful to him.

"Having emerg'd from the Poverty and Obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a State of Affluence and some Degree of Reputation in the World, and having gone so far thro' Life with a considerable Share of Felicity, the conducting Means I made use of, which, with the Blessing of God, so well succeeded, my Posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own Situations, and therefore fit to be imitated" (1).

As seen in the above quote, Franklin views his life as a tool for every American to use to guide them throughout their lives. As Americans it seems as though it has always been important to be ambitious and to work hard for what you hope to accomplish in life. Striving after a goal is something that is very important in order to be successful. If there were nothing for you to set as a goal and strive to accomplish, then we would be living a very boring and bleak life. As Benjamin Franklin so greatly exemplifies, hard work and passion for what you are doing pays off. As a young adult in high school, these are important lessons to heed. It is, or will soon be time to apply to colleges. These days college is extremely competitive you must have a strong will to succeed, just as Benjamin Franklin did. Just as he declares in his mother and father's epitaph, "be encouraged to diligence in thy calling" (8).

Franklin began his life in a family that was just making ends meet and then through hard work and dedication began to climb the latter to a highly successful career and life, which can be considered an exceptional example of the "American Dream." Benjamin Franklin began writing at the age of sixteen and this quickly developed into his passion. Beginning his career as an apprentice for his older brother at his printing business, Franklin took advantage of each and every opportunity that came his way. For example, as a boy working for his brother, Franklin began writing anonymous articles and slipping them under the print shop door.

"But being still a Boy, and suspecting that my Brother would object to printing and Thing of mine in his Paper if he knew it to be mine, I contriv'd to disguise my Hand, and writing an anonymous Paper I put it in at Night under the Door of the Printing-House" (15). His brother and his friends would then read Franklin's work, be very impressed, and would print it in the newspaper. This is a perfect example of how to take advantage of any opportunity that comes about and how sometimes if you want to be heard, you must make your own opportunities. That is a great ideal of the "American Dream." Later, we find that through a series of adventures and favorable chance, Franklin ends up opening his own publishing company in Philadelphia. He knew exactly what was good for his business. He made sure that the people noticed his hard work and became quite successful in his business.

"I dressed plainly; I was seen at no Places of idle Diversion; I never went out a- fishing or shooting; a Book, indeed, sometimes debauch'd me from my Work; but that was seldom, snug, and gave no Scandal: and to show that I was not above my Business, I sometimes brought home the Paper I purchas'd at the Stores, thro' the Streets on a Wheelbarrow. Thus being esteem'd an industrious