|
|
Ben Franklin's Autobiography should be a required
reading for college students. "His determination and perseverance
in the face of overwhelming odds inspires us all, giving Ben Franklin new
life in the modern world (ThinkQuest)." Ben Franklin was the
American dream. He went from being a lower class citizen to a well known
and respected American. In his book it states "the most accomplished
Americans of his day has long been recognized as one of the world's greatest
success stories." Ben Franklin was a scientist, a statesman, a printer,
a philosopher, a musician, an inventor, and an economist. He accomplished
all these dreams through hard work and determination. This book provides
enlightenment and a guide for bettering lives. Analyzing his behavior contributed
to his personal growth: he focused on his faults and tried to rectify them.
He was content in an imperfect state. He gave advice on how to achieve
a successful and useful life. Ben was particularly writing to instruct
the young people. Benjamin attempted to achieve virtuous excellence through
the art of virtues. To acquire moral perfection a person must concentrate
on one virtue per week. These virtues include temperance, silence, order,
resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness,
tranquility, chastity, and humility.
"He that lives upon hope will die fasting"- one
must get out there and accomplish what they want. It is not enough to just
want it. To accomplish that need, one must get out there and do it themselves
and they will appreciate it more if they do get it. Ben Franklin was a
self-conscious individual, but he was able to reason himself into a life
of self-control, self-improvement, virtue, and multifaceted success. Franklin
saw his writing not as merely self-indulgent words but as a moral action
valuable to others. Franklin notes that he "grew convinc'd that Truth,
Sincerity & Integrity in Dealings between Man & Man, were of the
utmost Importance to the Felicity of Life." Here Franklin claims that happiness
comes not merely through one's own hard work, independent of teachers,
pupils, or peers, but rather through one's loyal relations with others.
His readers best learn from Franklin's own self-awareness
and efforts at self-improvement, and Franklin is pleased when they do start
to take initiative in matters larger than themselves. "We honor the venerable
Philadelphian and remember him fondly for his relentless pursuit of knowledge
and justice (ThinkQuest)." Franklin conveys a concern for others that at
times even eclipses his concern for himself. As moral descendants of Benjamin
Franklin we find profound moral worth in his extraordinary combination
of self-serving and other-serving. Benjamin Franklin is simultaneously
a friend of self and a friend of society.
This book can give students the ability to believe
in themselves.It was the first and only work written in American before
the 19th century that has retained bestseller popularity since its release.
It was the first major secular American autobiography. It is also the first
real account of the American Dream in action as told from a man who experienced
it firsthand.Reading all of his accomplishments in his lifetime can give
students a direction and hope in their own lives. By Franklin writing an
enlighting guide on how to dream big gives readers a sense of belief, assurance,
and confidence within one's self. If one man from a background like
his can achieve all that, why can't we be able to do the same?
Works Cited
Ben Franklin, The Autobiography of Ben Franklin.
Dover Publications INC.
Mineola, New York. 1996
ThinkQuest INC. 1995-2001.
http://library.advanced.org/22254/home.htm
SparkNotes LLC. 1999-200.
http://sparknotes.com/lit/franklinautiobio/summary.html&words=autobiography,ben,franklin