...Blake Howard EN 105 Nancy McGee Week 2 Essay 10/28/2014 Benjamin Franklin Arriving at Perfection Can anyone be perfect? How do we go about achieving perfection? Well Benjamin Franklin thought he could live his life to perfection and achieve this in everyday tasks. People second-guess themselves or look back and wish they would have done whatever they had done different. Benjamin Franklin was on a mission to show everyone he could be perfect but also show to everyone he came across. Even though his ways of being perfect were not the same as everyone’s standards, Benjamin Franklin still tried to show that he was perfect in everyway possible. There is something in all of our lives that we wish we were better at. There are things we may try to do to make those things better: study more, put in extra hours at the job, see a counselor, or practice harder. In Benjamin Franklin's essay "Arriving at Perfection" he sets out to devise a plan of self-examination, resulting in self-correction. “Arriving at Perfection” Benjamin Franklin explains how he is perfect and how he is going to show everyone to stride to be perfect. He said, “It was about the time I conceived the bold project of arriving at moral perfection”. This message shows the standard of his thoughts and motives of Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin, along with being a worthy human being, was an extremely ingenious person as well. Franklin was a very clever man, intellectual and witty, and he did not let his...
Words: 884 - Pages: 4
... 1. John Ashley’s Essay Paper on Benjamin Franklin The goal of this essay paper is to discuss key ways that Ben Franklin presents his story as an illustration of self-improvement. After reading of this man’s life, I firmly believe that he is one of America’s greatest heroes. If not for the self-sacrifices made from Ben, from his early age and throughout his life, then the face of America would be of a different nature. This is the understanding that I received from his writings about the moral fortitudes of a man unwilling to just settle with whatever was happening around him. My Essay Self-improvement is an often presented theme in the works of Benjamin Franklin’s life and writings. Through his charming demeanor, Benjamin Franklin won over the socialites of France. Benjamin gained their admiration, by wearing his rustic fur cap, which the French considered to be the quintessential symbol of rugged Americanism.(Meltzer Page 3). He was quoted saying, "Figure me in your mind as jolly as formerly and as strong and hearty only a few years older; very plainly dressed, wearing my thin gray straight hair that peeps out under my only coiffure, a fine fur cap which comes down to my forehead almost to my spectacles. The self-improvement that is so often spoken of by Ben Franklin is, I believe, that of just saying or doing whatever is needed to get the...
Words: 1476 - Pages: 6
...COTTON MATHER AND BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: WORKS COMPARISON 2011 Outline: A) Introduction: general overview. B) Comparison of selected works. C) Conclusion. Foreword: This essay aims to compare plot, point of view, and theme of two authors in their respective works: Cotton Mather, “The Wonders of the Invisible World”, “The Trial of Martha Carrier”, and Benjamin Franklin, “Information to Those Who Would Remove to America”, “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America”. Thesis: Cotton Mather and Benjamin Franklin are bright representatives of colonial literature. Their views can usefully be compared and contrasted. American writing began with the work of English adventurers and colonists in the New World chiefly for the benefit of readers in the mother country. From the beginning, however, the literature of New England was also directed to the edification and instruction of the colonists themselves, intended to direct them in the ways of the godly. Cotton Mather emerged as the dominant intellect of New England during the last decade of the Seventeenth and the beginning of the Eighteenth centuries. The approach of the American Revolution and the achievement of the actual independence of the United States was a time of intellectual activity as well as social and economic change. The variously gifted Benjamin Franklin forwarded American literature not only through his own writing but also by founding and promoting...
Words: 754 - Pages: 4
...Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of our country. He is mostly known for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He was an inventor in his time and ended up creating the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, and more. Before creating these important inventions though, he had an interesting life. Benjamin Franklin was born on Milk Street in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17th of 1706. He grew up in a large, religious family. Josiah Franklin was the father of seventeen, one being Benjamin. Josiah was married more than once and had Benjamin with his second wife Abiah Folger. As a candle maker, Josiah worked hard but had little time to be home. Because of this, the household was mainly run by Abiah. According to Benjamin, it was a crowded, noisy and happy home. The little house where Benjamin spent most of his childhood was right next to Old South Church. In this church, he was baptized, along with many of his siblings. Josiah wanted Benjamin to become a minister, so he sent him to South Grammar School. After going there for a few months, Josiah decided he could not afford it any longer, so Benjamin was removed...
Words: 1030 - Pages: 5
...Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706 as the tenth of his father’s seventeen children. His father, Josiah Franklin, made candles and soaps for a living, and had his own shop. Benjamin had to leave school at the age of ten to begin working there, but continued to study independently afterwards. When he was twelve, he became his older brother, James’ apprentice. James Franklin worked as a printer for a newspaper, and soon enough, Benjamin Franklin started submitting his own writing to be published in the paper. However, he did so with the pen name Silence Dogood, because he knew his brother would never allow him to submit his work. After writing over a dozen essays, Ben Franklin confessed to his older brother that he was Silence Dogood, and James Franklin was furious. Later, James Franklin was imprisoned for the opinions featured in his newspaper, and Benjamin had to maintain the shop in his absence. When James was released, he treated his younger brother with the same hostility as before James’ arrest. Due to his brother’s mistreatment of him, Benjamin Franklin went to live in Philadelphia....
Words: 523 - Pages: 3
...Determined Statesman, Self Promoter and Innovator 1. Bio of Benjamin of Franklin 2. A young child as an avid reader 3. A journeyman printer and continual pursue as a writer 4. Benjamin the journalist 5. Benjamin achieved success as a clerk of the General Assembly and became the Poster- Master General in Philadelphia 6. Benjamin the Statesman, Self promoter and Innovator 7. Conclusion Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. Benjamin was the youngest son of seventeen siblings. He did not complete his formal education; however, he was a person who was extraordinarily ambitious, free thinker, self-promoter and a determined innovator, who changed many minds and cultures through his journalisms, inventions, political influence, scientific researches, statesman and diplomat. Benjamin, as a young child, read many books that he could get his hands on, such as the first collection, “Paul Bunyan’s” literary work that he treasured, and later sold, to purchase Burton’s Historical Collections. His father, Josiah Franklin had his own library. However, majority of his father's book were religious materials, moreover, Benjamin did not enjoy reading them; that became a turning point for not becoming a clergyman. He continues to pursue other interest books, such as “De Foe’s”, an Essay on Projects and “Dr. Mather’s”, Essays to do Good which became a defining moment that lead him to become...
Words: 1053 - Pages: 5
...Colonial America was no different. The era was a complicated time when America was attempting to find itself. The family structure was one of hard work and survival. School and education came second to providing for ones family. During Benjamin Franklin’s early childhood, his family experienced some of the same newfound troubles many of these families were experiencing. Growing up his father, brother, and other family members had substantial influence on molding young Benjamin Franklin. As Franklin’s life unfolded, he exceeded in many fields, including science, politics, journalism, and philosophy, while also becoming one of the Founding Fathers of the nation. Thus, it is evident the childhood of Benjamin Franklin had tremendous effects on his future. Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston. Raised by his father, Josiah Franklin, and his mother, Abiah Folger Franklin, he was cast into a large family consisting of sixteen brothers and sisters. Josiah Franklin had seven children with another women before she passed away and he married Abiah. Due to the popularity of illnesses and diseases in the early American colonies both men and women were familiar with the idea of remarrying following their spouses death. Benjamin was the “youngest son and the youngest of all the children except two daughters.” A large family like the Franklin’s was not uncommon during this time as the average colonial family consisted of approximately nine members with a household...
Words: 3813 - Pages: 16
...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ESSAY SUBSITTED TO MS. LENNON HISTORY N221 D49 SYLVIA MORAN ORRUM, NC 11/14/2011 Benjamin Franklin was born on January 6, 1706 to Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. His father was a tallow chandler who relocated his family to the New England Colonies about 1682 in search of religious freedom. Benjamin Franklin started working for his father at a very early age which he hated. At age twelve he was bound as an apprentice to his brother, James, who owned a print shop where they quarreled often. His brother published the New England Courant and treated him as though he was a slave and often times beat him. During this period in his life a desire to improve himself and be free of the restraining ties which bound him was born within him. Through the help of a friend he was able to secure passage on a ship bound for New York. Thus began his journey of seeking to improve his circumstances in life and himself. Benjamin Franklin never received much of a formal education. He started school at the age of eight and ended at ten years old. His father intended to send him to college for an education and then dedicate him to the service of the church, but because of the financial difficulties of raising such a large family this proved impossible. Benjamin Franklin had developed a love of reading at an early age and therefore he began to educate himself through books. After arriving at his destination...
Words: 996 - Pages: 4
...Essay on Benjamin Franklin HIUS 221 Hunter Lewis III For this assignment I chose the first question, which was “One of the over-arching themes in Franklin’s Autobiography is that of self-improvement. Franklin intends for his own experience to serve as a model for others. Discuss key ways that Franklin presents his story as an illustration of self-improvement. Is he successful in the attempt? What motivates him toward this attempt? Does he strike you as a self-promoter or a genuinely benevolent man desirous of helping others? In your answer, use specific examples from the book to illustrate your points.” First off, Benjamin Franklin was an amazing man whose kindness, compassion, and love for his fellow man knew no bounds. He was and is the embodiment of self-improvement. History is filled with great men and women that have done amazing and remarkable feats to better mankind. In my personal opinion, Benjamin Franklin is up there with the best of them. This man spent the majority of his life being a model of self –improvement, so that others would emulate his actions. I know one would think that Benjamin Franklin had an easy life after reading my first paragraph, but thinking that is far from the truth. Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Ma. Everyone knows that life in Colonial Times wasn’t the easiest of living. The early settlers had no idea how to survive in the wilderness, and they had no experiences in preparing for the bitter winters that...
Words: 1136 - Pages: 5
...beings age, the opportunity to move up through the social hierarchy seems to disappear. In Gordon S. Wood’s biography, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin, he tells a unique story that allows us to take a deeper look into almost every social class of the 18th century. As Franklin makes his way through the social hierarchy, Gordon Wood paints a picture of what society was like and how it works around Franklin. Franklin portrays this hierarchy through his own work and his interactions with other members of society. Also as Franklin moves up the social ladder, Wood gives different perspectives from Franklin on his social standing and how he is a “self-made man”. From being a child of a lower-class family to becoming a huge influence on the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Franklin is one of the most interesting Founding Fathers. Starting with Franklin’s father, who has one of the lowliest jobs as a candle and soap maker, the social hierarchy begins at the bottom and with all of the artisan jobs that fall into that category. Franklin being the 15th of 17 children in the family shows that low class families were very large in size, making it very difficult for the youngest children of the family to gain any property or status. Primogeniture being the custom of the American colonies in the early 18th century makes it difficult for Ben Franklin to advance, putting him at a disadvantage. This disadvantage only helps to spark his desire to pursue knowledge and skill in writing Life long...
Words: 896 - Pages: 4
...What do you call it when people have a great idea and risk everything they have, time, money, and energy to make the idea a reality? The American Dream. This is the ideal that every person can have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. Many influential people, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton have shared their opinions on the validity of this dream. In this essay their statements will be examined and clarified. “For what avail the plough or sail, Or land or life, if Freedom fail?” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo is attempting to convey to the reader that true freedom is freedom from fear. A person could have everything life has to...
Words: 401 - Pages: 2
...Famous Englanders Benjamin Franklin Vs John Winthrop Both, John Winthrop and Benjamin Franklin, have a great importance in the American’s History and from the study of their tenures we can figure out the similar thoughts shared by both of them. They both were from the different generations but played there parts in changing the situations. Born in 1587 in England, Winthrop became a successful lawyer in his mother country. He was also an ardent Puritan, and in 1629 he set forth to help establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Winthrop's history in New England was very largely that of the Massachusetts colony, of which he was twelve times chosen Governor by annual election, serving in 1629-34, 1637-40, in 1642-44, and in 1646-49, and dying in office. To the service of the colony he gave not merely unwearied devotion; but in its interests consumed strength and fortune. His own temper of mind was conservative and somewhat aristocratic, but he guided political development, often under circumstances of great difficulty, with singular fairness and conspicuous magnanimity. In 1634-5 he was a leader in putting the colony in a state of defense against possible coercion by the English government. He opposed the majority of his fellow-townsmen in the so-called "Antinomian controversy" of 1636-7, taking a strongly conservative attitude towards the questions in dispute. He was the first president of the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England, organized in 1643...
Words: 845 - Pages: 4
...Benjamin Franklin was extraordinarily famous for many accomplishments. He was an author, politician, printer, and one of America’s Founding Fathers. Franklin also discovered electricity, and invented bifocals, the lightning rod, Franklin stove, glass harmonica, odometer, and jokingly, daylight savings time. Franklin, living in Paris at the time, joked that the French slept in too late, that they wasted all the daylight. In Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, Franklin displays a subtle sense of humor throughout different forms of set pieces in the book, including his father’s religious devotion, using an alias, and his probable pride in humility. In Part One of the Autobiography, Franklin jokes that while all nine of his older brothers became protégés of craft occupations, his father intended “to devote me as the Tithe of his Sons to the Service of the Church” (14). Franklin pokes fun at his father by implying that instead of donating a tenth of his income to the church, he is donating a tenth of his sons. He presents himself as a young man on the road to fame by showing he is different that the rest of his family and the only one of his brothers earning an education. At such a young age, he felt his education gave him superiority with his family, but his older brothers thought differently. Franklin started working as a trainee for his brother’s printing shop, which he thought he should be running. Franklin also uses a confident humor as he makes himself the laughingstock of...
Words: 697 - Pages: 3
...Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17; in 1706.He was the tenth son of a soap maker. He received a bit of education from school, but was mainly self-taught. After working as an apprentice for his father for two years, he worked for his half-brother James, who was a printer. In 1721, they founded the New England Courant, the fourth newspaper in the colonies. Benjamin secretly wrote 14 essays for it, his first published writings. In 1723, due to disagreements with his half-brother, Franklin fled to Philadelphia, where he was able to find employment as a printer. He spent one year there and then sailed to London for two years. After his return to Philadelphia, he rose gallantly in the printing industry. He published The Pennsylvania Gazette (1730-48). His most successful literary venture was the annual Poor Richard’s Almanac (1733-58). It gained popularity in the colonies, and its name spread to Europe. In 1730, Franklin got married to Deborah Read, who was on a schedule to give him a son and a daughter, and he, also, had children with another unknown woman out of wedlock. By 1748, he was financially independent and got recognition for his philanthropy and the efforts he made to public causes like libraries, educational institutions, and hospitals. He,also, made time to pursue his interest in science, as well as to enter politics. Franklin worked as a clerk (1736-51) and a member (1751-64) of the colonial legislature and as deputy postmaster of...
Words: 913 - Pages: 4
...Christy Penner Comparative essay The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin ( Wood,2004) and Abigail Adams (Holton, 2009) each depict historical figures before, during, and after the American revolution. Respectively, Woody Holton and Gordon S. Wood present unique aspects of Abigail Adams and Benjamin Franklin which highlight societal, institutional, and ideological changes brought about by the American revolution. Holton’s depiction of Abigail Adams provides an in depth analysis of the challenges she faces as a wife who assumes the roles typically undertaken by the family patriarch. In wood’s book, the depiction of Benjamin Franklin allows the reader to understand the progressive development of Franklin as he transitions from a gentleman to an ardent revolutionary. An interesting aspect of Wood’s portrayal of Franklin resides in his detailed analyses of his contributions to the American Revolution and the generally negative reception he receives upon returning to the independent colonies. Both Wood and Holton chose these individuals, and specifically the overriding topics of each book, in order to explain these chosen themes through the perspective of well-known historical figures. Although both authors make interesting arguments, Holton’s research on Abigail Adams presents a more significant contribution to historical research by highlighting her contribution to women’s rights and feminism. Woody Holton’s work, Abigail Adams (2009) tells the story of the wife of...
Words: 1948 - Pages: 8
