College Students Should Read This

 

            There are many responsibilities one must obtain in a college career.  A fraction of these responsibilities would be dedicated to class assignments.  College students tend to have a difficult time following through with responsibilities such as self-control.  In this case, Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography should be assigned to all college students to read.  By reading this autobiography one can gain motivation, self-improvement, and the ability to argue using diffidence.

            In Lemay’s essay called The Autobiography and the American Dream, he speaks of how Franklin went from mere rags to fine riches. This autobiography was written to be motivational in proving that even though one may start with nothing, by striving hard enough, one will gain his reward in the end.  Lemay supports his decision by stating: “ A second and more important aspect of the American Dream theme in the Autobiography is the rise from impotence to importance, from dependence to independence, from helplessness to power” (351-352).  An additional aspect of motivation is in order to be successful one must have self-control.  Franklin states: “ I concluded at length, that the mere speculative Conviction that it was our Interest to be completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our Slipping, and that the contrary Habits must be broken and good Ones acquired and established, before we can have any Dependence on a steady uniform Rectitude of Conduct” (66).  Self-control is shown important to avoid the tiniest mistakes that may cause failure.

            In the autobiography Franklin explains how using diffidence can prevent a close-minded argument.  By following this method it shows that both sides of the argument are understood.  To use diffidence one must know the opposite claim to have a basis of an argument.  Franklin explains how the choice of vocabulary can change the attitude of an argument. Franklin shows this when explaining: “I even forbid myself, agreeable to the old laws of Junto, the Use of every word or Expression in the Language that imported a fix’d Opinion; such as certainly, undoubtedly, etc. and I adopted instead of them, I conceive, I apprehend, or I imagine a thing to be so or so, or it so appears to me at present” (75).  Using diffidence shows order in an argument rather than chaos.  From personal experience I know using this format proves that one is not forcing their thoughts and feelings on another.  One can feel as though they can have their own opinion without being scolded. 

           

 

College students should definitely read Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography   because it shows how to improve one’s lifestyle.  Franklin has a list of thirteen virtues one should follow in order to be successful.  Among these virtues are: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility.  In being a college student I found two virtues to be very important.  Franklin uses temperance at the top of his list and states, “Eat not to Dulness.  Drink not to Elevation” (67). He also refers to it as: “Temperance first, as it tends to procure that Coolness and Clearness of Head, which is so necessary where constant Vigilance was to be kept up, and Guard maintained, against the unremitting Attraction of ancient Habits; and the Force of perpetual Temptations” (68).  In releasing college students from the realm of their parents it gives them free will to do as they please.  Gaining fifteen pounds is a general fact in the freshman class because students have no authority and will feast as they desire to. 

When Franklin speaks of moderation he says: “Avoid extremes.  Forbear resenting Injuries so much as you think they deserve” (67).  In college a major extremity for students is alcohol.  Unfortunately students do not know how to drink in moderation, which results in accidents.  Students should follow this step in order to avoid stupidity.

Franklin used charts to help better himself.  For example, a chart he used began with the question: “ The Morning Question, What Good shall I do this Day” (72)?  The rest of the chart is segmented in hours and what he would be scheduled to do in his time.  In faithfully following this schedule one would become less attracted to temptations.

            To view a different side, people may argue that college students should not have to read this autobiography because it is too difficult to read.  One could argue that the vocabulary is not familiar on a day-to-day basis, therefore making it hard to comprehend. An example would be: “It was about this time that I conceiv’d the bold and arduous Project of arriving at moral Perfection” (66). Then again, I believe students of this level should be able to comprehend difficult novels.  After all, we are no longer in high school.  One could also argue that Franklin uses run on sentences that are not clear to understand, so why should students have to read someone who cannot even use proper grammar?  An answer could be that over time the English grammar has changed and this could be historical knowledge for these students.

            Another negative aspect of Franklin’s autobiography is his arrogance.  One can easily see Franklin to be stuck on himself.  Franklin even admits his arrogance by saying, “ But a Quaker Friend having kindly inform’d me that I was generally thought proud…” (75). Twain also expresses his dislike toward Franklin in his essay called, The Late Benjamin Franklin. He tells his readers, “He was always proud of telling how he entered Philadelphia, for the first time, with nothing in the world but two shillings in his pocket and four rolls of bread under his arm” (272).  Honestly, Franklin has a lot to be proud about and I am sure if one accomplished as much as he did they would be a bit arrogant as well.  One would also have to realize in explaining how he came from nothing and made something of himself, he would have to explain all of what he earned to motivate his readers.  In seeing Franklin’s accomplishment they too would want to do the same.

            Overall, I believe Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography  should be enforced to read for college students.  Franklin’s autobiography can teach students many ways of how to become successful.  After all, students are seeking to succeed in having a well paying job and what better way to help them.  It can also give students the guidance to improve their non-authoritative lifestyles. For future references diffidence can prepare them for life’s arguments.

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

 

Franklin, Benjamin. Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography.  Ed. J.A. Leo Lemay and P.M. Zall.  New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.,1986.

Lemay, J.A. Leo.  The Autobiography and the American Dream. Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography.  Ed. J.A. Lemay and P.M. Zall.  New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1986.  .

Twain, Mark.  The Late Benjamin Franklin.  Pp. 272-274.  Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography.  Ed. J.A. Lemay and P.M. Zall.  New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1986.