Benjamin Franklin Resources
  The Autobiography

After reading Ben Franklin’s Autobiography and discussing his list of virtues to achieve perfection, I had my class develop its own list of virtues for the 21st century. In groups, the students had to make a list of 10 virtues. Each virtue had to have a title and a description/definition. After the group had developed its list, the members needed to decide which 3 of the virtues are most important. They wrote these 3 virtues and the definitions on the board. Once all the groups added their virtues, I had the students play The List (the show on VH1). Each group was able to “nix” any virtue it wanted, but the students from that group had to supply an explanation.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Contributing Editor: David M. Larson

Classroom Issues and Strategies

The primary problem involved in teaching Benjamin Franklin in an American literature course is persuading students to view Franklin as a writer. The myth surrounding Franklin and the fact that he writes in genres many students view as informational rather than literary keep students from viewing Franklin’s works as literature. In order to persuade students to treat Franklin as a writer, it is useful to demonstrate through literary analysis that issues of personae, organization, irony, style, and so forth are as applicable to writing that deals with factual information as they are to poetry, fiction, or drama. In teaching the Autobiography, instructors should keep in mind that it is helpful to have students approach it as though it were a picaresque novel; they can then bring to bear upon the work the techniques that they have developed for analyzing fiction.

Students usually respond to and are rather disturbed by the protean quality of Franklin’s personality and the variety of his achievement. They want the “real” Franklin to stand up and make himself known, and they want to know how he accomplished so much.

Major Themes, Historical Perspectives, and Personal Issues

Franklin’s contribution to the creation of an American national identity is perhaps the most important theme that needs to be emphasized. In connection with this, the students can discuss his role in the shift in the American consciousness from an otherworldly to a this-worldly viewpoint. Franklin’s abandonment of Puritanism in favor of the enlightenment’s rationalism reflects a central shift in American society in the eighteenth century. In addition, his works reflect the growing awareness of America as a country with values and interests distinct from those of England--a movement that, of course, finds its climax in the Revolution. Franklin’s participation in the growing confidence of the eighteenth century that humanity could, through personal effort and social reform, analyze and deal with social problems reveals the optimism and self-confidence of his age, as do his scientific achievements. His belief that theory should be tested primarily by experience not logic also reflects his age’s belief that reason should be tested pragmatically. Perhaps most important, in the Autobiography Franklin creates not only the classic story of the self-made man but also attempts to recreate himself and his career as the archetypal American success story. Since such varied writers as Herman Melville (Israel Potter, “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” and Benito Cereno), Mark Twain, Thoreau (the “Economy” chapter of Walden), William Dean Howells (The Rise of Silas Lapham), and F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby) respond to the myth Franklin creates, the Autobiography can be used as a basis for examining the question of what it means to be an American and what the dominant American values are. Given the current debate over multiculturalism, a discussion of Franklin’s career as statesman and writer as an attempt to create a unified American identity--and thus to suppress the multicultural elements in the emerging nation--should prove provocative. When placed in context with the works of Crèvecoeur and Jefferson, Franklin’s writings should help students understand why, in the later eighteenth century, the shedding of ethnic and religious tradition and the embracing in their place of a national identity based on shared ideas are seen by many progressive intellectuals as ways to free the individual from the constricting hand of the repressive past.

Significant Form, Style, or Artistic Conventions

Franklin must be viewed as essentially an eighteenth-century writer. The eighteenth century’s didacticism, its refusal to limit literature to belles lettres, its ideal of the philosophe or universal genius, and its emphasis on the rhetoric of persuasion all need emphasis. In this connection, students need to become familiar with the use of personae in eighteenth-century writing, with both straightforward and satiric means of rhetorical persuasion, and with the ideal of the middle style in English prose. In addition, students studying Franklin need to become familiar with the conventions of political and other persuasive writing, with those of scientific writing, with those of the letter, and, especially, with the conventions of satire and autobiography in the period. Since for most students the eighteenth century is foreign territory and since the study of eighteenth-century writers has especially been neglected in American literature, students need to learn the ways in which the ideals and practice of literature in Franklin’s age differ from the romantic and post-romantic works with which most of them are more familiar.

Original Audience

Since almost all of Franklin’s writing is occasional, prompted by a specific situation and written for a particular audience, a consideration of situation and audience is crucial for understanding his work. Each of the satires, for example, is designed for a particular audience and situation. Also, Poor Richard’s Almanac can nly be appreciated when it is viewed as a popular publication for a group of nonliterary farmers and mechanics. In contrast, Franklin’s French bagatelles are written for a very sophisticated audience who would savor their complex persona and ambiguously ironic tone. The Autobiography is designed not merely for Franklin’s contemporaries but for posterity as well. Consequently, one of the most interesting features of the study of Franklin as a writer is an examination of the ways in which he adapts his style, tone, organization, and personae to a variety of audiences and situations.

Comparisons, Contrasts, Connections

Franklin can usefully be compared to a host of different writers. The traditional comparison between Franklin and his Puritan predecessors remains useful. For example, while Puritan spiritual autobiographies emphasize their authors’ dependence upon God for grace and salvation and their inability to achieve virtue without grace, Franklin’s Autobiography focuses on his own efforts to learn what is virtuous in this world and to put his discoveries to use in his life. Franklin retains the Puritan concern for self-improvement but removes its otherworldly orientation. Similarly, Cotton Mather’s and Franklin’s views of the importance of benevolence can usefully be compared and contrasted. And Edwards’s thought, with its attempt to understand this world in the light of Puritan assumptions about God and his divine scheme for humanity, can be contrasted with Franklin’s, which focuses on this world, largely ignores the next, and sees morality and experience as more important than faith.

Franklin’s works also can be compared to those of the great eighteenth-century English prose writers. In his preference for reasonableness, common sense, and experience over emotion or speculation, Franklin shows his indebtedness to the English writers of the early eighteenth century and to the new scientific spirit promoted by the Royal Society. Franklin’s style owes much to the example of Defoe and Addison and Steele; his satiric practice--especially his mastery of the creation of diverse personae and, at times, his use of irony--reflects his familiarity with Swift’s satire, even though Franklin’s effects are very different.

And Franklin’s ideas, persuasive methods, assumptions, and empirical bent can be compared to and contrasted with those of his great British contemporary and pamphlet opponent, Samuel Johnson. Also, Franklin’s achievements in such diverse fields as science, literature, politics, and diplomacy can be compared to the achievements of the eighteenth-century philosophers, such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot, with whom he was classed in his own age.

Finally, it is useful to compare Franklin’s stylistic and persuasive methods and his intellectual assumptions in relation to his younger contemporary, Jefferson.

It is useful at some point to discuss the ways in which contemporary assumptions about literature differ from those of Franklin and affect our response to his works and the reasons Franklin has not traditionally been given the same degree of attention in American literature courses that such figures as Swift and Johnson have in British literature courses. Such topics can lead to a discussion of the formation of canon.
Questions for Reading and Discussion/Approaches to Writing

The study questions that are useful before students read Franklin depend entirely on the works that they have read previously. Since students in a historical survey of American literature usually approach Franklin after reading heavily in Puritan literature, ask questions that force students to confront the similarities and the differences between Franklin and his Puritan predecessors. If most students have had a British literature survey, ask questions that encourage them to pinpoint some of the similarities and differences between Franklin and such eighteenth-century writers as Swift, Defoe, and Samuel Johnson.

With Franklin, paper topics can be historical (focusing on Franklin’s contribution to any number of events or ideas), comparative (comparing Franklin’s works to those of American, British, or European writers), cultural (focusing on Franklin’s pertinence to American culture at any stage past the eighteenth century), or narrowly literary (focusing on any number of facets of Franklin’s artistry as a writer). The success of a topic depends largely on the extent to which it ties in with the approach taken by the teacher during the course.


Chapter VI

Franklin, who is writing from France immediately after the Revolution ended, returns to some of his old accomplishments. He mentioned that the library he started in 1730 was a big success. He had bought books from England because there were no good bookstores in Philadelphia. His library, he writes, helped “reading become fashionable...[and] people become better acquainted with books.” Nevertheless, fearing resentment from others because of his increasing success and fame, Franklin writes that he did not take too much credit for the library when it first started.

As the library is started, Franklin himself is just starting a new family with Miss Read, his new wife. He uses the library for his own mental development, and meanwhile he manages to support his family based on “industry and frugality.” He saves money wherever possible. He remains a firm Deist, but he mentions that he respects all religions and dislikes religious strife. He does not ever attend “public worship,” and he finds fault in some Christian theological interpretations of morality.

Continually obsessed with self-betterment, Franklin consents “to the bold and arduous project of arriving at Moral Perfection.” He creates a list of 13 virtues that are, in order: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility. He sets about creating a weekly plan by which he will develop one virtue per week, eventually perfecting them all. He focuses on one virtue per week, keeping track of his successes and failures in a small book he keeps with him at all times. He also develops a daily planner to help him acquire Order. Franklin finds many faults at first, but over time he manages to correct most of them. He finds that Order is the most difficult for him to acquire, partly because Franklin’s good memory makes Order not as necessary. However, Franklin ends up being pleased with his inability to perfect all his virtues, deciding, “a speckled axe is best....A benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance.” Franklin writes that although he never became perfect, he did become happier. He writes about his hope that all his descendants who read his Autobiography will derive the same enjoyment and benefits from acquiring these virtues.

Franklin adds that the list of virtues are likely to appeal to people of all religions. They are not geared specifically at any one particular faith because Franklin stresses their utilitarian benefits rather than their moral benefits. He mentions that Humility was added last when his friends started to complain that he was too arrogant. To make himself seem more humble, he used such phrases as “I conceive” or “I apprehend” rather than “certainly, undoubtedly,” etc. Franklin writes that he afterwards started enjoying conversations more. However, he found his pride impossible to vanquish. In fact, he sardonically mentions that he became so humble so as to be proud of his own humility.

Note: In 1784, Franklin once again stops writing his autobiography. He resumes back in America, four years later, in August 1788.

Commentary

He seems to want his autobiography to be as useful as possible towards the betterment of others. This also adds a new twist to the book; it is no longer just the story of Franklin’s life told so as to let his son know about his father. It is now also a general-purpose self-help manual.

Of course, Franklin’s mention of his goal of achieving “Moral Perfection” is meant to be humorous. Franklin is stating in a tongue-in-cheek fashion that he does not think man can really be perfected, and he is mocking the 18th-century optimism that promoted the belief in the perfectibility of man. In one sense, Franklin may also be mocking his own youthful idealism. Franklin enjoys being ironic and humorous throughout the biography, and this is one of the times in which he does so.

At the end of Part One, it may be useful to reflect upon Franklin’s writing style. Compared to many authors of the 18th century, Franklin’s style is noticeably concise and easy to read. He gets to the point very quickly and reports on the important facts rather than the secondary ones. It is oftentimes remarkable how much information and how many stories he can fit into a single page. Franklin carried that style into his newspaper writing, and it has survived there right up into the present. Franklin played a major role in developing journalism as a terse form of writing, always sticking to the point. Also, while some of the anecdotes in the Autobiography are slightly unclear, Franklin rarely tells tangential stories unless they contribute directly to whatever point he is trying to make. Furthermore, he always finds the shortest way to express any particular thought, a fact that is evidenced by his prolific coinage of aphorisms. Its accessibility may be another reason for the enduring popularity of Franklin’s Autobiography; as an 18th-century work, it is certainly among the most easily read and understood.

At the end of Part Two, we see Franklin again struggling with the issue of his own vanity. To his credit, he is more than willing to confess that he could never quell his pride, even though he did his best to feign humility. Nevertheless, the very act of publishing an autobiography in order to lay out one’s life as a model is itself a vain act. This is one of the more common criticisms of Franklin. Many have argued that he is too hypocritical in his overt praise of humility. Other critics, however, have been unfazed by this apparent contradiction. Either way, Franklin himself is clearly aware of the humility vs. pride problem, and there are times in the Autobiography when he is obviously confessing his own faults so as to be honest.

Act VII

Franklin is writing Part Three from his home in America. He is writing in August 1788, about four years after ceasing work on Part Two and 17 years after completing Part One.

Franklin in 1731, begins a project “great and extensive” to create a new political party with international appeal. He writes a note outlining his political beliefs as they relate to parties, which he believes carry on and effect “wars, revolutions, etc.” He thinks that someone ought to found a international Party for Virtue, open only to the wise. Franklin begins forming this party by preparing a condensed set of the essential principles of every major religion (it includes such basics as the existence of God, the power of God and the immortality of the soul). All the people in the Party for Virtue would have to subscribe to the thirteen virtues from Part Two as well as these religious principles, and they would each have to form a plan for helping mankind. However, due to constraints of time and the necessity to focus on other issues, his ideas for such a party were abandoned.

In 1732, Franklin begins Poor Richard’s Almanac, a publication that lasts 25 years. Franklin founds it out of the intent to begin something “both entertaining and useful.” He also wants something to instruct “the common people,” which he does via his many aphorisms. One issue, for instance, quips, “It’s hard for an empty sack to stand upright.” He uses parts of his newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette, to the same educational purpose. The paper, with its circulation of 1,500, comprises over half of Franklin’s income. He makes sure at all time to keep the paper free from libel and abuse, and he never allows private arguments to make their way into his presses.

As he moves further into adulthood, Franklin takes up more political issues, advocating publicly the education of women, particularly in accounting. He flourishes intellectually, learning French, Italian, Spanish and Latin, and he advocates that Latin be taught in schools as the last language rather than the first after English. He plays chess regularly. He also gives support to his local Presbyterian church, although he withdraws that support when he realizes that the preacher plagiarizes his sermons.

His life is far from perfect, however. He is particularly hurt, for instance, when his son dies at the age of four, although he does not give the event any more than brief mention. Despite hardships, he does return to Boston for a visit to see his family, and he makes amends with his brother, James helping him with printing types.

Back in Philadelphia, Franklin oversees the branching out of the Junto, his debating club, which expands to include different chapters in other parts of the nation. Meanwhile, he keeps up his printing work, becoming the Clerk of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1736. The following year, he becomes the Deputy Postmaster of Philadelphia, a job which allows him to see that his paper, the Gazette, is delivered by mail. In 1753, Franklin rises to the top of the mail delivery world, becoming Postmaster General of the United States.

Franklin begins to turn his attention more and more to “public affairs” and the betterment of society. He comes up with a plan for better funding the police by setting up a type of property tax. He also publishes a pamphlet on fire causation, and with some help he forms the Union Fire Company, the first modernized fire department in America.

While he begins to grow in fame during the 1730s, Franklin pays close attention to the events of the Great Awakening, a national religious revival marked by an emphasis on emotions and firebrand, charismatic preachers such as Jonathan Edwards. In 1739, Franklin meets Rev. Whitefield, an English preacher who helps spark the Great Awakening in the colonies. Franklin observes people go from being “thoughtless or indifferent about religion” to being religious fanatics. Franklin is pleased to see the increase in charitable giving, and he himself is persuaded by Whitefield’s powerful oratory to donate a huge sum towards the building of an orphanage in Georgia even though Franklin believes the orphanage should be built in Philadelphia. However, Franklin does criticize Whitefield’s writing style.

Commentary

The Party for Virtue is a large testament to Franklin’s idealism. Again, we see in Franklin a reflection of 18th-century zeitgeist, or spirit of the times. He was incredibly ambitious and optimistic as a young man. His idealism as a youth and his good-natured cynicism as an older man are both present in the Autobiography, and as a result the work is partially a reflection on the process of growing older. Franklin implicitly shows a large transformation in himself that occurs between the 1730s and the 1780s. Franklin does not intend necessarily to demean the optimism of youth, but he certainly does show the loss of optimism and birth of skepticism that comes about with age.

Franklin’s discussion of Poor Richard’s Almanac is oftentimes regarded as overly arrogant because of Franklin’s reference to his desire to educate the “common people.” This comment is striking particularly because Franklin himself was, for the first part of his life, one of the “common people”? He was not born into any natural aristocracy, and all the good repute he gained he did so through luck and his own hard work. Nevertheless, he seems distanced as a young man from the roots from which he emerged. While he does not seem to condemn common folk, he certainly looks down on them from an educated perch he himself has not known for a very long period of time.

Arrogance aside, it is Book Three that is most responsible for the mythologization of Franklin. It is in this book that he discusses most of his common inventions that we have always associated with him--the discovery of electricity in lightning, the invention of the fire brigade, the work as Postmaster General, the funding of a hospital, the organization of a street-sweeping force, and many others. The Autobiography is still read today in part because it enshrines Franklin as an American legend who is responsible for many improvements in American life that we today take for granted. Part Three discusses the majority of these.

As mentioned in the previous section, Franklin’s style is concise, and it usually only discusses important events without writing tangentially. However, Franklin may sometimes be terse to a fault. For instance, he seems to gloss over the death of his son without giving it any real attention. He does not discuss his emotions or circumstances any more than to tell other parents that they ought to deliver inoculations to their children. While the death of his son was no doubt a very major event in his family life, Franklin is very clearly more concerned about his growth in the public sphere rather than the circumstances of his own private life. It is important when reading any literature to keep in mind why anyone writes something. In the case if Franklin, he is writing to solidify his image and the memory of him as a great public figure rather than as a great father. His initial goal of writing a personal, private memoir to his son, as he initially seems to have set out to do, has been laid aside.

FRANKLIN’S STYLE

Franklin’s admiration towards Addison has a direct bearing on Franklin’s style of writing. Franklin uses clear and lucid prose and a simple style in conveying his message. The book is also filled with rhetorical language. In the narrative, Franklin speaks not in the style of high fashion but in a colloquial manner; however, he avoids a tone of familiarity. His usual tone is didactic and authoritative, in the manner of a patriarch speaking to posterity, to the younger generations. Franklin attempts to subtly present himself as a role model.

Franklin keeps the narrative in control, while controlling the reader’s perspectives. It is obvious that he works both as the narrator and the writer. While composing the narrative, Franklin uses the first person point of view to detail the events and experiences that has made him what he is. Franklin creates an appropriate distance between the narrator and the writer that enables the narrative to be objective in tone.

Franklin appropriates the language of his times to bridge the gap between his role as a prophet and the audience for whom he is writing. Although the narrative is personal, Franklin assumes the role of a historian as he records and reports the events and implications surrounding his life in eighteenth century America.

1. What is the Junto Club? Why is it so important to Franklin?
2. Discuss Franklin as a versatile genius.
3. Explain Franklin’s “bold and arduous project”.
4. What are Franklin’s religious beliefs? Who is Whitfield and how does he figure in to those beliefs?

10. What does Franklin accomplish for the public utility services
.
11. Explain three of Franklin’s scientific accomplishments.

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmBenFranklin01.asp

Determination, perseverance, hard work, and reliance on a sound code of ethics are the ingredients of success. Through these traits, Franklin rises from obscurity to eminence and wealth.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin portrays the life of a very important American. In order for the reader to more fully appreciate the events described in the book, it is important to have an overview of his entire life. Franklin was born in 1706 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Boston. He was the tenth son of his parents. His father, Josiah Franklin, had hoped that Benjamin would be well educated and become a scholar; unfortunately Josiah could not afford a formal education for his son. At the age of ten, Benjamin began to participate in the tallow and soap business of his family. Benjamin, however, did not like the family business, and as a young man he dreamed of going to sea. His father was against the idea of seamanship. As a result, Benjamin was made to become an apprentice to his older brother James, who owned a printing business.

Franklin’s apprenticeship later proved quite advantageous to him in his career development. During his years as his brother’s apprentice, he read widely during his leisure time, trained himself to write, and started printing articles under the name of a fictitious widow named “Silence Dogood.” His brother James, however, did not meet with success. He was jailed for offending the conservative government through his newspaper, “The New England Courant”. Rather than closing down the paper, James continued publishing it in Benjamin Franklin’s name. Before long, there was a disagreement between the brothers over the paper. As a result, Franklin left Boston and went to New York. When he could not find work in New York, Franklin at age seventeen, left for Philadelphia where he immediately found a job as a journeyman printer. In 1726, while living in Philadelphia, he wrote and printed “A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain,” an essay that earned him a reputation as an author and allowed him the association of writers and scientists.

Over the next few years, Benjamin Franklin proved himself to be a versatile genius. In 1727, he founded the Junto club that helped to improve young minds and helped Franklin perfect his art of persuasion. By 1730, he had successfully established himself as the owner of a flourishing printing business. In 1732, he wrote his famous Poor Richard’s Almanac, which became an annual publication. In 1734, he became Grand Master of his Masonic lodge. The Pennsylvania Legislature chose him to be the clerk in 1736, and the first fire company was set up by him during that time. He was appointed the postmaster of Philadelphia in 1737, and between 1743 and 1744, he proposed and established the American Philosophical Society. By 1748, at age forty-two, Franklin was in a comfortable financial position. As a result, he retired from the printing business to devote himself to scientific ventures and politics.

Between 1748 and 1757, Benjamin Franklin devoted himself to politics in and around Philadelphia. In 1757, he was sent to London to settle governmental issues for the colonies, but he returned in 1762 with no effective solution. In 1764, he was once again sent to settle the issue of British rule over the colonies, and because of his statesmanship and political acumen, he became the American spokesman in London. After his return, he held the positions of colonial agent for Georgia in 1768, for New Jersey in 1769, and for Massachusetts in 1770. His greatest accomplishment in this period was his drafting the Declaration of Independence. After the war with England, Franklin held the post of President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania for three years and was the delegate to the Congressional Convention in 1787. He finally retired from public service in 1788. By this time Franklin suffered from ill health. He died on April 17, 1790 at the age of eighty-four. During his lifetime, Franklin had proven his multifaceted personality as a husband, father, friend, printer, inventor, scientist, writer, educator, diplomat, and politician. Although John Adams, a contemporary of Franklin, disliked him personally, he acknowledged that Benjamin Franklin was an honor to humanity. Adams admitted that “Franklin’s fame was universal. His name was familiar to government and people, to kings, courtiers, nobility, clergy, and philosophers, as well as plebeians, to such a degree that there was scarcely a peasant or a citizen, a valet de chambre, ... who did not consider him as a friend to human kind.”

Chapter V

FRANKLIN - HIS PRUDENCE

In this section, Franklin shows how he refuses to listen to people who attempt to mislead society. A man by the name of Samuel Mickle comes to Franklin and warns him that his new printing house will be a disaster; Mickle claims that Philadelphia is sinking into financial disaster. Franklin refuses to listen to such rumors and continues his hard work in the printing business
. Before long, Philadelphia is prosperous once again, and Franklin reaps the benefits of the new prosperity.

With a group of friends, Franklin forms the Junto Club, which meets on Fridays. Every member of the club must answer at every meeting one or more inquiries about morals, politics, or natural philosophy; the purpose of the questioning is an effort to seek truth. In addition, once every three months, each member must write an essay on a topic of the member’s choosing; the member must be able to defend the content of the essay. A director presides over all inquiries and debates. The director fines any member who speaks negatively during a debate. The club members include Joseph Breintnal, a copier of deeds for the scriveners; Thomas Godfrey, a self-taught mathematician; Nicholas Scull, a surveyor; William Parsons, a shoemaker; and other joiners, such as William Maugridge, Hugh Meredith, Stephen Potts, George Webb, Robert Grace, and William Coleman. Besides participating in club activities, these people greatly help Franklin in locating business for the printing house. Very soon Franklin’s work is the talk of the town. Everybody has noticed the amount of time and effort put in by Franklin. Franklin himself notes that hard work pays rich rewards; advice that he passes on to the younger generations.

During this period, George Webb, who is working with Keimer, wants to work with Franklin. Though Franklin is willing to employ Webb, there is no work at hand. Franklin asks Webb to wait until he starts his newspaper. Franklin asks Webb not to reveal his plans, but Webb reveals the newspaper venture to Keimer, who quickly starts a newspaper of his own. When Keimer finds it difficult to manage the paper, he sells it to Franklin; it later became a very profitable venture for Franklin.

Franklin works hard on the newspaper, acting as the editor, a reporter, and sole manager of the press. He also improves the type style and printing. As a result, the number of subscribers gradually increases.

Notes

In this section, Franklin’s hard word, diligence, and perseverance are once again described. When he starts his new printing business, Franklin is determined to make it prosper. He refuses to listen to those who have negative things to say. Due to his personal effort, the business prospers. His starting of the Junto Club is another successful venture for Franklin. Through this club, he makes influential friends who help him in his printing business. It also allows him to develop his writing and persuasive skills. When Franklin buys the newspaper from Keimer, he determines to make a success of it as well. He serves as reporter, editor, and pressman. Once again his efforts pay off and the subscriptions steadily increase, largely due to Franklin’s own writing in the paper.

THE OWNERSHIP

Mr. Meredith, Franklin’s business partner, is unable to pay the remaining one hundred pounds of debt on the printing business. Two of Franklin’s friends, William Coleman and Robert Grace, offer to help him in repaying the debt himself, but only on the condition that he will separate himself from Meredith, who has a reputation as a heavy drinker. The honorable Franklin feels he has an obligation to Meredith’s family and refuses to suggest the separation. When Franklin finally talks to the younger Meredith about the debt, Meredith reveals that his father is not happy with the business. Franklin volunteers to resign, but the younger Meredith suggests that Franklin buy his father out of the business. It is decided that Franklin will repay the hundred pounds advanced by his father, clear the debts of Meredith, pay him an additional thirty pounds, and give him a new saddle. Thus, the partnership ends, and the whole business is passed into the capable hands of Franklin. With the help of his two friends, Franklin clears the company’s debts, and by 1729 Franklin becomes the proprietor of the whole business.

Notes

In this section, Franklin’s integrity is depicted. He refuses to accept his friends’ advice and merely abandon Meredith. He feels honor bound to fulfill his commitment to his business partner. He stands by his principles come what may, and never lets anyone suffer on his account. Knowing fully well that if Mr. Meredith does not pay the debt it will ruin him, he willingly continues with the business until the Merediths suggest that he buy them out. Once he owns the business by himself, he works with the same diligence he has always displayed to clear the debts incurred by Meredith.

BUSINESS VENTURES

As a businessman, Franklin becomes interested in the monetary policies of the country. When there is a push for more paper money, he favors the idea. He supports the proposition that paper money helps in the economic growth; with more money he believes trade and business would flourish, and employment and population would increase. The rich, however, oppose more paper money, fearing it will lead to a depreciation of their wealth.

Franklin discusses the money issue with the members of the Junto Club and writes and prints an anonymous pamphlet entitled “The Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency.” This pamphlet influences many people to favor more money being distributed. When the government finally approves more paper money, Franklin is given the job of printing it. He always wins the right to print the New Castle paper money and legal papers for the government.

Franklin opens a stationer’s shop and it also flourishes. He succeeds in paying off all his debts and begins to prosper. In spite of his success, he lives frugally. To save money, he uses a wheelbarrow to carry paper, and he dresses in a simple manner. He never spends time hunting or fishing and is cautious to stay away from scandals.

Because of the diligence and quality of his work, Franklin soon finds he has no competitors in the printing business. He also earns the position of Post Master.

Notes

This section discusses Franklin successes. His printing business flourishes to the point that he has no competitors, his stationer’s shop is prosperous, and his writing is eagerly read and often influences others. Everything he touches seems to turn into gold, but behind the success is honesty, hard work, and frugality. In spite of his prosperity, Franklin remains a humble worker who is not too proud to push his wheelbarrow through the streets. His diligence, honesty, and sincerity are admired by one and all. He especially serves as an inspiration to the young men of these times.

As Franklin is growing his printing business, he shares a house with the Godfrey family, and Mrs. Godfrey brings a marriage proposal to him. Franklin considers the offer and courts the young lady. In order to marry, however, he expects money from the matrimony to pay off his debts. His proposal is rejected, for there are questions as to whether he will make his printing business profitable. But Franklin is eager to marry and settle down. He again courts Ms. Read, whose marriage to the potter has ended. They are married on September 1, 1730. They live with mutual respect, affection, and understanding for one another. Franklin is delighted to have corrected one of the errata in his life.

Notes

In this section, Franklin’s practicality is seen. When Mrs. Godfrey presents a marriage proposal to him to a wealthy young lady, he explains that he expects his debts to be paid off as part of the matrimonial agreement. When his offer is rejected, he seeks out the company of Ms. Read. He does not begrudge her previous marriage in his absence and understands why she has left her husband. He knows he is ready to marry and settle down, so he courts Ms. Read with those intentions. They are married and live a very comfortable life together.

THE FIRST SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY

Franklin proposes to the Junto Club members that they bring all their personal books to the club so that everyone can use them as references while writing or preparing a debate. The members agree and bring their personal collections for a period of time; when it becomes hard to properly maintain them, the books are again taken home. This, however, is the basis for Franklin’s subscription libraries. With the help of Brockden, the scrivener, Franklin puts together fifty subscribers; they each pay a membership fee of forty shillings and ten shillings annually for a period of fifty years. With the money, space is obtained and books are purchased. The subscribers often come together to do research, to read, or to discuss current issues. The subscription libraries make many contributions to society and generally help to improve knowledge and conversation.

Franklin stops his narration of Part I, which he intends to be exclusively a personal account. His intention is to begin a more public narration in the book. He is interrupted, however by the Revolutionary War, which consumes most of his time and effort. He returns to his writing almost ten years later.

Notes

Franklin’s determination is highlighted in this section. He tries to create a “lending” library at the Junto Club, where all members pool their personal books for the good of everyone. The idea works well at first; then the owners become concerned over the maintenance of the books. In the end, the Junto members return their private book collections to their own homes. But Franklin is unwilling to give up the library idea. With the help of the scrivener, he successfully organizes a more public venture, known as the subscription library, where fifty or so subscribers pay to belong and share with one another. The libraries are another success story for Franklin; they improve the public standards of behavior and conversation and help in widening the general knowledge of people. The organization of the libraries also thrust Franklin further into public life, where he reveals to others his remarkable organizational and leadership
abilities.

FRANKLIN’S SIMPLICITY and MORAL PERFECTION

Franklin commences Part II in France without having his personal papers, which would have helped him in recollecting the necessary dates. He plans to make corrections to his manuscript after returning home.

Franklin starts his new narration by again explaining the start of the Pennsylvania public library. He discusses in detail how the people of Pennsylvania become subscribers to the library and make reading the fashion of the day. As a result, they improve their minds and become more educated. The young tradesmen are particularly interested in joining the library, for they have no better diversion than reading, Franklin forms the library with the help of Charles Brockden, the scrivener. They create an article of principles to spell out the terms of the library. Later, another charter is drawn to give it perpetuity. Finding subscribers in the beginning is not an easy task, and Franklin tries a variety of approaches before he is successful.

The library helps Franklin further his personal knowledge. Every day, he dedicates two hours for study, allowing himself no other entertainment than reading. At the same time, he continues working very hard in his business. He follows his father’s advice that he who works hard will perhaps have the honor of standing before kings, which of course, comes true in his case. He has the opportunity to stand in front of five kings and the honor of sitting with one.

Franklin gives credit for his success to his wife Deborah, who serves Franklin as a sincere helpmate. She works along with him in his business by doing small, but essential jobs like folding and stitching pamphlets, tending shop, and buying old linen rags. Like her husband, she believes in a life of simplicity. She has no servants, chooses inexpensive furniture, and sets a plain and simple table. For a long time, she serves Franklin his bread and milk in an earthen bowl with a pewter spoon. Later, she buys him a china bowl and a silver spoon for the simple reason that she feels he deserves them.

Notes

This section reveals Franklin’s commitment towards the society in which he lives, towards his own personal growth, and towards his wife. He feels that he has prospered due to the society around him, and he willingly devotes his time and energy for its betterment. He introduces the library system for the public good, knowing that reading would generally enable a person to enlarge his scope of vision and understanding. He admits that at first people were suspicious about having to pay subscriptions to join the library, but through his typical hard work and persistence, he made the library a success.

Franklin uses the library he has created to better himself. Although he is committed to his work, he also commits himself to reading and studying two hours each day. He faithfully goes to the library to accomplish this goal. Franklin is also committed to his wife Deborah, who he sees as his helpmate. He influences her in her simple lifestyle and allows her to be a part of his business. His commitment to her pays big rewards, for she obviously cares deeply about her husband.

FRANKLIN’S VIEWS ABOUT RELIGION

In this section, Franklin discusses his religion. Although he no longer attends public religious meetings, he believes in God and his creation. In addition, he believes that serving humankind and doing good for a fellow man are the best services offered to God. He also believes in the immortality of soul, that bad will be punished and good will be rewarded. Franklin observes that almost all religions preach principles similar to his, but they often teach certain doctrines that do not inspire morality and bring indifference or hostility among people. For this reason, he has little respect for organized religions. However, he takes great care in avoiding any discussion that may hurt an individual’s respect for his own religion.

As Pennsylvania increases in size, there is a need for more religious places. Building funds are always being collected and Franklin is always willing to make a contribution. He also continues to pay his annual subscription for the support of the only Presbyterian Minister in Philadelphia. This minister finally persuades Franklin to attend the Sunday meetings at his church. Though it causes an interruption to Franklin’s reading, he attends church for five consecutive Sundays, expecting some morals and principles to be taught through the preaching. The Minister’s teachings, however, are comprised of religious arguments and explications of doctrines and are very boring. After this, Franklin completely avoids attending church. Franklin mentions a form of prayer that he has composed during the year of 1728, entitled ‘Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion.’

Notes

This section gives a glimpse into Franklin’s personal beliefs. His attitudes about religion prove his liberal interpretations. He believes in God and his creation; he also believes in prayer, but he feels organized religions are stifling and hung up on their own doctrines. Franklin believes in the equality of men and respects their rights and freedom to choose their own beliefs. He avoids religious discussions, for he does not want to negatively influence anyone of faith. He also feels a responsibility towards organized religion, for he pays a subscription for the support of the Presbyterian minister and he contributes to the building funds of different churches.

For Franklin, religion is not attending church on Sundays. It is a form of expression and a way of life, never reduced to a mere sermon or a memorized prayer. Franklin’s true religion is his service to his fellow man. He feels that he can best serve God by serving mankind. His own composition of a prayer asserts his depth and individuality of faith.

“BOLD and ARDUOUS PROJECT”

His “Bold and arduous project” is to obtain moral perfection. His intention is to avoid committing any kind of fault and to do only what he consciously thinks is right. He starts by avoiding the company of people who would lead him away from moral perfection and concentrates on avoiding wrongdoing. To his dismay, as he avoids one fault, he finds himself unknowingly committing another. Franklin quickly realizes that intention of being good and doing right does not make one virtuous. As a result, he contrives a method by which he intends to break all his bad habits and acquire good ones. He catalogues all the moral virtues, including them under different names. He winds up with thirteen virtues that he thinks are absolutely necessary. He lists each of them and attaches a brief idea which defines its limits:

1) Temperance—Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation. 2) Silence—Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.

3) Order—Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.

4) Resolution—Resolve to perform without fail what you resolve. 5) Frugality—Make no expense but to do good for others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

6) Industry—Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

7) Sincerity—Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8) Justice—Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9) Moderation—Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10) Cleanliness—Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes, or habitation.

11) Tranquillity—Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12) Chastity—Rarely use but for health or offspring--never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

13) Humility—Imitate Jesus
and Socrates.

Franklin strives methodically to attain these thirteen virtues. He keeps a record in which he marks out the seven days of the week. For every virtue, he allows one day. He marks it in black if he fails to observe the virtue on its given day. In the same fashion, he makes a schedule of his day, planning about seven hours for sleep, eight hours for work, and the remaining hours for planning, reading, thinking, eating, writing, examining, and carrying on the daily routine.

Franklin proceeds with the zest to pursue his arduous project, but he soon realizes he is a man with no less faults than other men. However, his attempt to live the thirteen virtues helps him to improve himself. The virtues that give Franklin the most problems are Order and Humility. He always falls a little short of total organization, and he knows he is often proud of his accomplishments. When he tries to act humbly, he finds himself feeling proud of his humility.

Franklin intentionally does not mention any sect or religion on his list of virtues, for he feels that the list is universal and should be pursued by all humans.

Notes

Franklin sincerely feels that all his prosperity and his good reputation is due to his efforts to act in a virtuous manner. He has never regretted his attempt to attain moral perfection, even though he failed. He feels happy that he has endeavored to better himself and willingly acknowledges that he is only human and capable of error. He particularly notes that he has always struggled with being proud and orderly.

A GREAT PROJECT

Franklin returns home to Philadelphia and resumes his writing in August of 1788. Unfortunately, he learns that all his personal papers have been lost in the war.

Upon his return home, Franklin plans a great project. He decides to bring all the virtuous young men together to form a “united party for virtue”. It is to be based upon the basic belief that virtue is rewarded and vice is punished. The young men must practice Franklin’s list of thirteen virtues for a period of thirteen weeks and help one another in accomplishing their goals. They must also believe in the immortality of the soul and the oneness of God. Franklin calls this party the Society for Free and Easy. He is also sure about the project’s success if his plans are executed properly. Because of his ill health and lack of time, he keeps delaying the project. In the end, it never comes into being.

Notes

In this section, Franklin’s spirit of altruism is portrayed. He wants to help the young men of Philadelphia lead moral lives. He plans to start a society called Free and Easy, where virtuous young men come together to practice Franklin’s list of virtues and to help one another become more virtuous. In spite of his good intentions, Franklin never forms the society due to his ill health and lack of time.

POOR RICHARD’S ALMANAC

Starting in 1732, Franklin publishes a book called “Poor Richard’s Almanac” under the name of Richard Saunders. Its purpose is to instruct and entertain. In the book, Franklin tries to give only pertinent facts and avoids any biased opinions that might cause controversy. The almanac is written in calendar format with proverbs inserted amongst the dates. The almanac is published for twenty-five years, and every year nearly one thousand copies are sold. In the 1757 edition of the almanac, Franklin includes the proverbs of different nations. As a result, the almanac is soon distributed to France in a French translation.

Notes

In this section, Franklin reveals that he seeks a harmonious society. He believes that the press has a responsibility to encourage peace and understanding among its readers. As a result, he never allows his newspaper to be used for any kind of communal disharmony or criticism. When he creates “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” he makes certain that it too presents pertinent facts and that it avoids controversy. The almanac, which is published for twenty-five years, is very popular.

FRANKLIN - A MAN With MANY SHADES

In 1733, Franklin helps one of his employees to set up a printing press in Charleston, South Carolina. Franklin pays one-third of the expenses of the Charleston press and receives one-third of the profits in return. When his partner in this enterprise dies, Franklin allows his Dutch widow to continue the business. Franklin is pleased with her skills of accounting and business management, and feels that more American women should be involved in business.

Around 1734, a preacher named Hemphill arrives in town, and Franklin hears that he delivers good sermons that instruct the congregation about virtue. As a result, Franklin begins to attend church again. There is, however, severe opposition to this minister from the conservative element. Before long they accuse him of delivering sermons composed by others. The preacher transfers as a result, and Franklin again stops attending church.

In 1733, Franklin starts learning languages. He masters French, and learns Italian and Spanish. He practices his Italian while playing chess with a friend; whoever wins the game gets to assign the other an assignment in grammar. Franklin finds the romance languages easy to learn and feels that students should study one of these languages before learning Latin, which is more difficult.

During this period, Franklin tries to make up for another errata in his life. He has been alienated from his brother James for ten years. When Franklin returns to Boston, he tries to make up for all the lost affection with James. Later, when James is sick and dying, Franklin promises to take care of James’ son after his death. Franklin also helps James’ wife in looking after their printing business until her son grows up and can manage the business.

Franklin regrets that his carelessness results in the death of his four-year-old son from small pox. Franklin advises all parents that a timely inoculation against small pox is vitally important. Franklin feels that an inoculation would have saved his child.

The Junto Club continues to prosper. Several other gentlemen want to become members, but the number of the club is restricted to twelve. Franklin advises the interested men to start new clubs. He feels such clubs help people, especially young men, to improve their knowledge and their ability to influence public opinion.

In 1736 Franklin is selected unanimously as the clerk of the General Assembly for the first time. The following year a wealthy and influential man opposes him. Franklin has enjoyed the position and its monetary benefits and power, so he does not want to lose the election. He overcomes his opponent very cleverly. Franklin requests his challenger to lend him a book, which Franklin promptly returns with a sincere note of thanks. This act makes the opponent feel obliged to Franklin, and they later become good friends after Franklin wins the election. Franklin observes that services requested of a man will make him feel more obliged than a man to whom you oblige with a service.

Franklin continues to make gains from his honesty and hard work. In 1737, Col. Spotswood, late governor of Virginia, grows unhappy with his deputy’s work in accounting and offers the post to Franklin, who he knows is diligent and honest. Besides giving him more public exposure, this office proves to be beneficial to Franklin in promoting his business.

Now financially secure, Franklin begins his life of public service in earnest. He starts by writing and presenting a series of papers about the ills prevalent in society. He calls for regulating the City Watch and for creating an organization for fire fighting. These papers are the basis for the formulation of the Union Fire Company, to fight fires in the community, and for laws governing the City Watch.

While returning from England in 1739, Franklin meets a very interesting preacher, Mr. Whitfield. Although the traditional clergy opposes Whitfield, Franklin supports him. Mr. Whitfield’s oratory powers and his ability to communicate with a vast multitude of people who attend his sermons impress him. As a result, Franklin helps in constructing a large meeting place, which provides a pulpit for any preacher from any religion. Franklin decides, however, that he is not going to contribute to Mr. Whitfield’s project of constructing an orphan house in Georgia. After hearing Whitfield’s sermon about the orphan house however, Franklin empties his pocket of his gold and silver for the project. Obviously, Franklin is impressed with this preacher’s persuasive powers. He regrets that Whitfield decides to publish his sermons, for in print they lose their power. Many critics attack Mr. Whitfield’s written sermons, which only serves to decrease the number of his followers.

Franklin continues to be a successful printer
, and his main business is minting money. He also continues to set up other partnerships, on the same terms that he did in South Carolina. Franklin has obviously become an honest, but shrewd, businessman.  Notes

The purpose of this section is to depict the many “shades” of Franklin—his diversity and interest in many varied projects. He continues in the printing business, specializing in the minting of money. He also goes into partnership with printers in other locations, which proves to be a very successful business venture for him. Franklin also continues to define his religious faith and seeks to find a preacher that can really challenge and instruct him, as evidenced in his relationships with Hemphill and Whitfield. The Junto Club remains important to his life, for it is a place where he can study and be challenged by other probing minds. In his effort to continue his education, he learns French, Italian, and Spanish. He also becomes a public servant, serving as the clerk of the General Assembly. As a writer, he also turns his interest to public services, and his essays about the need for fire fighting and regulations for the City Watch bring about the needed changes.

Franklin’s generosity is also noted in this section. He tries to make amends with his brother James, and after his death, he takes care of James’ son and helps his wife run the family printing business. He is also generous with causes in which he believes. Not a man to attend church on a regular basis, Franklin is impressed with the oratory powers of a minister named Whitfield and begins attending his sermons. He also contributes to the building of a large non- denominational church where Whitfield can preach and supports a fund for an orphan home in Georgia that Whitfield has proposed. Franklin always yields to causes that he thinks are good and worthy.

A PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY and A DEFENSE SYSTEM

In 1744, Franklin starts the philosophical society, which provides a center for education in Pennsylvania. His next venture is to set up a system of defense for the security of the province. He publishes a pamphlet entitled ‘Plain Truth’, which immediately brings the people to action. A large meeting is called, and there are talks and articles on the issue. Nearly ten thousand people volunteered to defend the province. Men furnish themselves with arms; companies and regiments are formed; officers are chosen; and regular meetings are held for exercise and instruction. Women make the flags for the regiments, and Franklin supplies the mottoes. Franklin also proposes a lottery to raise funds for the town battery. Since they lack cannons, Franklin, along with three other men, go to New York to request a cannon from Governor Clinton. Though he refuses at first, by the time the dinner is over, he has agreed to furnish eighteen cannons.

Franklin knows that Quakers, prevalent in Pennsylvania, are reluctant to favor any proposal regarding issues of war. But the Quaker Assembly generally grants funds “for the King’s use” and never inquires about what it is for. When New England needs money to buy gunpowder, it asks for money for “ Flour, Wheat, or other Grain,” with this other grain being gun powder. The Quakers approve such a proposal. Franklin learns to deal in a similar fashion. When he fears that the Quakers will oppose his proposal for a cannon, he asks for money for a fire engine and equipment, which can be the cannon.

Notes

In this section, Franklin continues to be concerned with the public good. He forms the philosophical society to provide a center of education in Pennsylvania. He also rallies the citizens to form regiments for the defense of the province. In order to gain the needed supplies, he organizes a lottery, gains a contribution of cannons from the Governor of New York, and cleverly avoids disclosing the purchase of armaments to the Quakers.