How do we inspire others to act? What defines a
good leader? I believe a good leader should have certain characteristics. They should be dependable, reliable and they
should inspire others to act. High school is the foundation of forming the
leaders of today. A high school student
is taught various values and morals and they are taught them to use as life
skills. High school students often have problems with what defines a strong
work ethic and motivating these individuals is usually a difficult task. During
an individuals high school career they are required to read many books that can
and will influence their lives in some manner. One book that I believe high
school students should be required to read is Benjamin Franklins
Autobiography. The reasons for why high school students
should read this book are, it teaches individuals about having a strong work
ethic, how to rise above and become a successful person, and this book can be
used as a great motivational tool to inspire others to act.
Teaching someone to have a strong
work ethic is often a timely and difficult thing to do, especially if you try
it at a young age. In the beginning of Ben Franklins Autobiography his father
is trying to teach him about having a good work ethic. Ben’s father writes to
and tells him of his meager beginnings and how he achieved a high social
standing and wealth within society. . In Benjamin Franklins Autobiography Ben
Franklin states:
Having emerg’d from
Poverty and Obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a State of Affluence and
some Degree of Reputation in the World, and having gone so far thro’ life with
a Considerable share of Felicity, the conducting means I made of us, which,
with the blessing of God, so well succeeded, my Posterity may like to know, as
they may find some of them suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit
to be imitated.(1)
Franklin
had the drive and the ability to rise above the life he was born into and
searched and found a life of education, traveling, and most of all
success. Franklin’s self-betterment is
inspirational to those who are in his same situation. As he states his is a
life that others would find suitable
and worth imitating it. Franklin is often seen as the traditional American and
the first real example of someone living the American Dream. The ability to
rise above poverty and live the life of a socialite, inventor, printer and a
publisher is inspiring and motivates others to act. What students should take
from Franklin’s accomplishments is a sense of pride and a great amount of self
worth. Often, it is difficult to inspire high school students and they usually
have a low self-esteem. I feel that after reading this book they will realize
that life isn’t that difficult. With the challenges ahead of you all you have
to do is work hard and have faith and achieve your goals. I believe they will
realize their potential and will set out to achieve their goals.
Hard work and
dedication are essential for one who wants to demonstrate a strong work ethic.
Ben Franklin uses his autobiography to show how his drive to succeed and his
strong work ethic helped him rise up from humble beginnings to a life of social
standing and wealth. In his youth, Ben
worked with his farther until the age of twelve where he was then sent to work
with his bother as an apprentice in his printing house. Franklin explains that:
“ I was to serve as an Apprentice till I was 21 years of Age, only I was to be
allow’d Journeyman’s Wages during the last year.”(10) Working for his brother
and not receiving pay until his last year explains Franklin’s willingness to
work for the experience and the knowledge of the craft. After working with his brother, Franklin
sought work elsewhere, he traveled to New York which in turn lead him to
Philadelphia where he would start his adventure. Entering a town penniless and starving, Franklin talks of
how, “ I was hungry, and my whole Stock
of Cash consisted of a Dutch Dollar and about a Shilling In Copper.” (20)
Franklin would settle into this unfamiliar place and would eventually find an
opportunity to work. Even though the work he found was not the work he intended
on, he was willing to start anywhere to get somewhere. With hard work and
dedication Franklin made sure his peers knew what kind of man he really was.
Ben Franklin was known in his town as a hard worker, here he explains what his
peers saw, “ I see him still at work when I go home from Club; and he is at
Work again before his Neighbors are out of bed.”(49) Here is a prime example of
the dedication Franklin had for his work, Franklin would work all hours of the
day to support his passion of writing. These long hours over the years made Ben
Franklin a very successful man. The majority of high school students would cringe
at the thought of working all hours of the day. The message is if you work hard
and you are dedicated you can make anything happen. You don’t have to work all
day, all you need is to set your goals and work to achieve them. Teaching High school students to have a good
work ethic will only benefit them in the future. Using Benjamin Franklins life
story is a great motivational tool to influence the minds of young people.
Some would argue that image of Franklin was thrown
upon the youth of his time and was used against them. Franklin was instilled in
the minds of young boys during early America. Young boys were taught to have a
strong work ethic. Mark Twain in The Late Benjamin Franklin explains: “
the memoir was calculated to inflict suffering upon the rising generation of
all subsequent ages”(272) Twain argues that boys could have been happier if the
life of Franklin was not inflicted on them. This fact may be true. However,
Franklin teaches young people to live their dreams, have values and work hard
to accomplish their goals. Not only is
Franklin blamed for how boys were brought up but it is also said that he wasn’t
everything he was cracked up to be. John Adams talks about how his character
should not be applauded or condemned. In John Adams on Franklin, Adam states, “
it is believed, more artificial modes of diffusing, celebrating, and
exaggerating his reputation, than were ever before or since practiced in favor
of any individual.” (244). Even if the reputation of Franklin was exaggerated a
little it still serves as a great motivational tool for others to act upon. How
else can you help others without bending the truth a little and making a great
story even greater? I believe the biggest factor weighing against High school
students reading this book is the text. Benjamin Franklins Autobiography is not
an easy book to read. The words and the context are a little confusing and it
is difficult to comprehend at times.
For example Franklin talks about a problem “ we had mad it a mere
Quagmire”(7). The majority of high school students are not familiar with this
word. Franklin also states “ That Felicity, when I reflect on it, has induc’d
me sometime to say.” (1) High school students may find the text at times is
hard to understand and it may take them time to get through it, but it is still
a book that should be required to read. Even though, the text is difficult to
read this is what makes education challenging. High school is the time where
students start to think about the future. Learning to be successful and to
follow your dreams should start before you go out into the world and find out
that it isn’t as easy as you may think. Reading this book will teach students
early about the hardships of life and how to work for success.
Adam, John. “John Adams
on Franklin, May 15, 1811” The Autobiography of Benjamin
Franklin. Ed.A. Leo Lemay and P.M Zall. W.W. Norton &
Company, 1986. 244-248
Franklin, Benjamin. The
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York
W.W. Norton & Company, 1986
Twain, Mark. “The Late Benjamin Franklin” The
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Ed.
A Leo Lemay and P.M. Zall. W.W. Norton & Company, 1986. 272-274