Parnassus AP
Reading and Responding to Literature
Bibliographic Entry
Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography. New York: Library of America, 1987.
What is the Subject of the Novel?
Benjamin Franklin's life (in colonial times), as well as informing readers
how to improve their lives.
Find and state (in the author's words) a "defining" passage, one which best summarizes the direction of the novel-its theme.
A piece of Mr. Benjamin Vaughan's letter to Benjamin Franklin:
"It will moreover present a table of the internal circumstances of your
country, which will very much tend to invite to it settles of virtuous and
manly minds. And considering the eagerness with which such information is
sought by them, and the extent of your reputation, I do not know of a more
efficacious advertisement than your Biography would give.
All that has happened to you is also connected with the detail of the manners
and situation of a rising people; and in this respect I do not think that
the writings of Caesar and Tacitus can be more interesting to a true judge
of human nature and society.
But these, Sir, are small reasons in my opinion, compared with the chance
which your life will give for the forming of future great men; and in conjunction
with your Art of Virtue, (which you design to publish) of improving the features
of private character, and consequently of aiding all happiness both public
and domestic.
The two works I allude to, Sir, will in particular give a noble rule and example
of self-education. School and other education constantly proceed upon false
principles, and shew a clumsy apparatus pointed at a false mark; but your
apparatus is simple, and the mark a true one; and while parents and young
persons are left destitute of other just means of estimating and becoming
prepared for a reasonable course in life, your discovery that the thing is
in many a man's private power, will be invaluable!"
Paraphrase this passage (in your own words):
Mr. Benjamin Vaughan wrote a letter trying to convince Benjamin Franklin to continue to write his autobiography. He believed that his autobiography would make the country more appealing to people who wanted to settle. He also believed that he was showing readers the advancements taking place in colonial life, as well as showing people how to better live life.
Paraphrase three subsidiary, supporting ideas, images or symbols using complete sentences.
1. Benjamin Franklin believed that there were thirteen virtues which, if
all thirteen were accomplished, would lead one to moral perfection. He tried
fulfilled each of the thirteen, and after some time he had mastered them all
except for one.
2. Franklin helped establish a number of things that improved colonial life.
For instance, he was the first to form a company that battled fires. He also
assisted in changing dirt roads to roads paved with stone, among many of the
other things that he had contributed to improving life in the colonies.
3. Franklin mentioned in his autobiography that he believed that women should
be educated. He believed that "…Education for our young Females,
as likely to be of more Use to them & their Children in Case of Widowhood
than either Music of Dancing…". Educating women was beneficial because
of the fact that they'd be able to support themselves if their husbands were
to leave or die.
Make a list of and name the characters you have found in the essay, supply a characterizing quotation and tell why you think the author used the character.
Character's Name Quote the text! Why used?
1 Josiah Franklin "My Father, tho' he did not approve Sir William's Proposition
was yet pleas'd that I had been able to obtain so advantageous a Character
from a Person of such Note where I had resided and that I had been so industrious
& careful as to equip my self so handsomely in so short a time…"
I think Benjamin Franklin's father was like a role model to him. He taught
his son many things and supported most of his decisions.
2 Mr. Denham "We lodg'd and boarded together, he cousell'd me as a Father,
having a sincere Regard for me: I respected & lov'd him…" Mr.
Denham was the one who convinced him to return to Pennsylvania and introduced
him to a new trade (even though he didn't decide to stick with it). He was
a fine example of how hard work pays off.
3 Hugh Meredith "He let me know , that his Father had a high Opinion
of me, and from some Discourse that had pass'd between them, he was sure would
advance Money to set us up, if I would enter into Partnership with him."
He was partly responsible for setting Benjamin Franklin up with the printing
business that he stayed with for a very long time. Although their partnership
didn't work out, Franklin became very successful.
4 Rev. Mr. Whitefield "It was wonderful to see the Change soon made in
the Manners of our Inhabitants; from being thoughtless or indifferent about
Religion, it seem'd as if all the World were growing Religious; so that one
could not walk thro' the Town in an Evening without Healing Psalms sung in
different Families of every Street." Reverend Whitefield was the only
religious figure that had a strong hold on Benjamin Franklin and many other
people.
Summarize the plot, noting the complications, climax or crisis and resolution of the piece:
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1705 in Boston. He worked for
his brother James in the printing business, but left because of the way he
was being treated. He later on in life sets up his own successful printing
business. However, he had a long way to go before living comfortably in his
own home with his wife and children. During his life he had to overcome many
obstacles. There were times when he would lend money to his friends and never
get repaid. He was fooled by the Pennsylvanian Governor William Keith's false
promises, which left him stranded in London.
Even though he had hardships, he also had many happy memories and accomplishments.
He had learned French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin-which is not at all a small
task. He had gained lifelong friendships and in 1736, he was chosen to be
the Clerk of the General Assembly. He had a very full life. Unfortunately,
he was never able to finish writing his autobiography.
Explain your view on the issues raised in the book. Do you agree, disagree or partially agree with the author? Give at least three reasons you believe as you do.
Benjamin Franklin brought up some good points in his autobiography. He believed that women should be educated and I was surprised and pleased that someone that far in the past would think this way. He believed that self-improvement occurred over time and that it couldn't be forced. He had a problem accomplishing one of the thirteen virtues, but after continuously trying to reach his goal he failed. He did not dwell on the issue, instead he accepted the fact that he was probably never going to reach it, and that it was just going to be a part of him. I find what he did very dignified of him. He is an important part of history and I think that no one can deny that fact.
