The Importance of Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography

Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography is an outstanding piece of literature. In his Autobiography Franklin presents several facts about life during his time to the reader. Due to the exposure to the culture of his time, encouragement for young people, and presentation of precise information about history upper class high school students and college students should be required to read Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography. Many people may feel this book is extremely difficult to comprehend due to the complex syntax and elevated diction, but with close attention and the use of a dictionary I feel the book can be easily understood.

Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography is a book all students in higher levels of education should read, although some may argue that it is too difficult to understand. First of all, some students and even some teachers may see the sentence structure as being too elevated for anyone to comprehend. I, on the other hand, feel that if a child has attended high school and can be accepted into a college or university they can most definitely, with patience, overcome the complicated syntax presented by Franklin. With the skill learned in grade school concerning grammar and sentence make-up, any student can somewhat comprehend the meaning presented in this book. Secondly, others may argue that the word choice throughout the autobiography is entirely elevated and extremely difficult for students to understand. But, obviously with the use of a dictionary all words can be defined and complete understanding of certain vocabulary can be achieved. Even though, this task may slow the reading process, some assignments simply require more time and effort.

One of the most important aspects of Franklin's Autobiography is the exposure to the culture of his time. In his book, Franklin informs the reader of the many hardships of people during the eighteenth century. On one occasion, he recalls finding a poor lady sweeping the pavement at his door. In conversation with her, Franklin finds that she is very poor and was sweeping “before Gentlefolkeses Doors” in hopes that “they [would] give [her] something.”(106) By inserting this incident in his novel Franklin adequately illustrates the poverty of those less fortunate and makes the situation realistic. By reading about this particular incident students become very aware of the hardships of many people, possibly “opening their eyes” to the fact that the same problems occur in today’s society. In addition, Franklin’s desire to help the needy sets a wonderful example perhaps influencing students to aid those in need also. Franklin also introduces the fact of planned marriages during his time. By showing this type of commitment, the author places emphasis on the importance of marrying into the “right” family. This illustration also shows the over-controlling behavior of fathers on their daughters during this time. Through this presentation of designated marriages, students are able to realize the value placed on wedding and keeping a strong marriage during the eighteenth century. Also emphasized in Franklin’s Autobiography is the briefness of education. He mentions how many people study on their own in order to obtain knowledge, in many cases people trained in certain jobs to learn a particular trade as Franklin trained under his brother in Part I. The reader, from the given information, is now able to see the advantages of going to school and getting a sufficient education. In our world, unlike Franklin’s, students learn about many different subjects allowing them to have a variety of options to choose from when deciding on a career. The illustration given by the author concerning education allows the reader to see the advantages they have as oppose to those in the eighteenth century.

Franklin also shows a great deal of encouragement for young people today in his autobiography. First of all, he gives evidence of people rising from “rags to riches.” Franklin, himself coming from a middle class family, is an excellent example of how anyone can “rise to the occasion” and make more of their life. In the beginning of his letter, Franklin speaks of having just enough money to buy bread, and in the end he is a well-established business man with all the money he needs. Franklin’s rise to wealth definitely gives his readers an incentive to succeed in life and make more of their life. He also exemplifies one who was dependent on his brother at one point in life, and through time he became an independent business owner. Again, to those young people who have no hopes of every becoming dependent, Franklin shines a light encouraging them to succeed in the future. And lastly, Franklin also displays a man who at one point in his life had no nobility at all, but through hard-work he became a man with nobility and was well-respected. Through reading this autobiography one can easily see that Franklin came into a new, strange world, and with determination he made friends and built a successful business, along with being a man with much respect and repor. Franklin’s rise to nobility would most definitely encourage his readers to become determined and successful.

Franklin also gives precise information about history throughout his book. He mentions the several inventions, that he a young gentleman invented, and the thorough legislative processes taken during his time. By his mentioning his invention of the kite and his improvements of press machinery, along with several other inventions Franklin adequately provides information about the eighteenth century. Also, the precise legislative process during this time presented makes the reader aware of the steps taken in order to make laws. With this knowledge, the reader can easily compare the legislative system of today with that of Franklin’s time and see how procedures taken then are or are not taken now.

Being a “ model of virtue and industry”(313) Franklin efficiently gives a tremendous amount of information to all people who read his autobiography thoroughly. The articles presented in the latter part of the book also allow one to see the thoughts and views many different people had concerning the life and time of Franklin. By reading this book, students become more aware of the history of the United States and life in the eighteenth century helping them to become more educated and well-rounded.

WORKS CITED

Lawrence, D.H. Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography: Benjamin Franklin. J.A. Leo

Lemay and P.M. Zall, eds. New York: Norton and Company, 1986.

Lemay, Leo J.A. and P.M. Zall, eds. Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography. New

York: Norton and Company, 1986.

Sayre, Robert F. Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography: The Wordly Franklin and

Provincial Critics. J.A. Leo Lemay and P.M. Zall, eds. New York: Norton

And Company, 1986.

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