Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography
Franklin's autobiography represents the American dream of rising from rags to riches, or as Franklin himself says “Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence...” (Franklin1). Franklin writes to his son, as his own form of a self help book. He hopes that through his life story people will be inspired to do as he did, and find a path to becoming successful. Today, he stands as a shining example of what it means to be an American business man or woman. Born into a large, poor family, and predominantly self- educated, he went on to become a great politician, inventor, scientist, military leader, and diplomat. In all of these roles Franklin had accomplishments that literally altered the world.
…show more content…
His family had little to no money, and he started helping in his father's candle and soap factory by the time he was only ten years old. Young Franklin had little formal schooling experience. Franklin remembered, "I continued, however, at the grammar-school not quite one year, though in that time I had risen gradually from the middle of the class of that year to be the head of it" (Franklin 3). He enjoyed reading, so this was one of the things that led him into eventual financial success. Not only was Franklin a great reader but, he loved to discuss what he read. He studied the writings of authors whose style he enjoyed and practiced writing essays in the same style. He would also rewrite essays by popular writers, looking to improve them. His rise to fame and fortune is quite great when considering where he came from, which was quite humble. His dad apprenticed him to his brother James when he was only twelve. So much of his early life was spent working, rather than learning. This makes his later years even more breath taking, as he slowly becomes known for his intelligence and writings. Friends who have read parts of the autobiography encouraged him to publish the book to be a model to improve people’s life Franklin's entire life reflected his belief in self-improvement, and from adolescence until his death at eighty-four, he worked constantly to improve his mind, his body, and his
His family had little to no money, and he started helping in his father's candle and soap factory by the time he was only ten years old. Young Franklin had little formal schooling experience. Franklin remembered, "I continued, however, at the grammar-school not quite one year, though in that time I had risen gradually from the middle of the class of that year to be the head of it" (Franklin 3). He enjoyed reading, so this was one of the things that led him into eventual financial success. Not only was Franklin a great reader but, he loved to discuss what he read. He studied the writings of authors whose style he enjoyed and practiced writing essays in the same style. He would also rewrite essays by popular writers, looking to improve them. His rise to fame and fortune is quite great when considering where he came from, which was quite humble. His dad apprenticed him to his brother James when he was only twelve. So much of his early life was spent working, rather than learning. This makes his later years even more breath taking, as he slowly becomes known for his intelligence and writings. Friends who have read parts of the autobiography encouraged him to publish the book to be a model to improve people’s life Franklin's entire life reflected his belief in self-improvement, and from adolescence until his death at eighty-four, he worked constantly to improve his mind, his body, and his