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Benjamin Franklin Appearance And Reality Essay

628 Words3 Pages

Benjamin Franklin; a renowned printer, author and inventor favored appearance far more than he favored reality. Several times in his Autobiography Franklin discusses ways to better one’s appearance, all the while facing brutal reality. Throughout Franklin’s work he insists on making it clear to his readers that it is not the reality of things that is important, rather the appearance of things that play a more wholesome part in one’s character. Franklin continues to discuss in his Autobiography appearance and how this continues to be an important virtue for an individual to possess. Franklin discusses various ways that an individual can form their appearance to a more perfect individual, if there were such a thing. Franklin discusses the importance of paying off a debt so that he will be able to “secure my Credit and Character as a Tradesman…” (Franklin 523), this statement puts in to perspective that his appearance matters to his reputation as a Tradesman. Franklin also describes what a tradesman must be to be successful-- frugal. Franklin also discusses …show more content…

Among the discussion of the virtues that Franklin believes make a person the most characteristic, he continues to discuss reality and appearance in Part Two of his work. Franklin discusses that he has set a goal “to arriv[e] at moral Perfection.” (Franklin 534). The way that Franklin thought he could reach this goal is forming twelve virtues that he feels everyone should aim to carry: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chasity, and humility (Franklin 534-535). Franklin formulates a plan for him to keep track of how he is obeying his twelve virtues by keeping a “little Book in which [he] allotted a Page for each of the Virtues” (Franklin 537), making it clear that Franklin believes that appearance is more important than

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In his writing a theme that is most prevalent is that of the American dream. Although not coined that yet, as the United States didn’t exist at the time. But right from the beginning Franklin speaks to the fact that he created his success and fortune from nothing but hard work, and intelligence. When describing Franklin’s Autobiography as a primary source, it is important to note that this theme of the American Dream. Most famously from the Declaration of Independence preamble, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” ( Dec. of Ind. Pre.).

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During the late eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin was one of the intelligent fellows who blended classicism with romanticism. As he tried to accomplish moral perfection he documented his tactics and his results in The Autobiography. Franklin described this task as “an arduous project” and brought two polar aspects of life, morals and science, together to try and reach the pinnacle of morality through the creation

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The Evil Within The quote, “It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways” said by Buddha can relate to both Lord of the Flies and Harry Potter. Jack Merridew, a twelve year old boy, was stranded on an island with other boys his age and wanted to be leader, but instead was overruled by a boy named Ralph. However later in the book, he was made chief and Jack let the evil take over, caused by his obsession with hunting and his need for power. Voldemort, a powerful wizard formerly known as Tom Riddle, was obsessed with the dark arts and realized he wanted more power.

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Franklin values frugality so highly that he refers to as the way to wealth, freedom from debt, and “producing affluence and independence” (Franklin 38). Franklin goes as far as to “avoid all appearances to the contrary [of being frugal]”, by always dressing plainly when out in public and not being seen at expensive, “places of idle diversion” (Franklin 33). Franklin’s combined frugality and humble appearance worked in his favor, as he was seen as a “thriving young man” whom merchants would import stationery for and “others would supply . . . with books” (Franklin 33). This frugality of Franklin’s gave him social standing, success, and riches.

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This passage, “from The Autobiography” by Benjamin Franklin, is a narrative that clarifies the truthfulness that is presented in this version of the author. Franklin realizes that he needs to achieve personal integrity as he “...wished to live without committing any fault at any time” (Franklin 92). In order to obtain this moral perfection, he creates a list of thirteen virtues to follow in his everyday life; these virtues include imitating Jesus and Socrates, avoiding extremes, and rarely using venery for dullness. Contrariwise, Franklin shows honesty by admitting to bad behavior, and in some cases, he performed this behavior for his own personal gain. For example, Franklin went to sleep during a religious meeting because he was “...very drowsy

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The importance of Ben Franklin has been told all throughout history, along with the famous $100 bill with his face on it. Drafting the Declaration of Independence, foudning universities and libraries, the post office, shaping policies in the U.S., publishing newspapers, making advances in science, and letting us use bifocals and using lighting for electricity. Even if this man never finished school, he did much reading and experiments that help us out today. The reason why I chose to write about Benjamin Franklin was because he was a very important Founding Father and it’s important for people to learn all about

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Franklin listed the ways and descriptions of what one should do to fall into having these as common everyday habits. Once trained to follow the virtues, by working on a specific one each week, man would be able to prove he was a paragon for the society. Franklin and his 13 virtues may not have represented the individuals of the day, but was a representation of what the “old lights” should and wanted to be

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Franklin Getting Into Character made Franklin " well aware of, and amused by, the image he created for himself.... It was a very different image from the one he had adopted,"When Franklin Got Into Character he changed the way he used to look at himself.

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I think that the virtue of saving is the most important to Franklin. For money and material are limited, but people's desires are unlimited. When people are attracted to a certain object, if we can control ourselves, then we can make the best choice for the control of our brain. “Temperance, for example, was by some confined to eating and drinking, while by others it was extended to mean the moderating every other pleasure, appetite, inclination, or passion, bodily or mental, even to our avarice and ambition.” (Franklin 4)Every man should be the one who is to control himself, and to restrain himself from his desire.

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Benjamin Franklin is known to be an “Archetypal American,” because of his beliefs on religion, self-improvement, hard work, and determination; but also his somewhat prideful spirit. Much of modern America is quite similar to Franklin in his actions throughout his lifetime. In his early years, Franklin’s father, Josiah, had a set plan for what he was supposed to do with his life, as a minister. Soon into his education, he found an interest in reading and writing, so he began pursuing a career in printing.

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He had many quintessential factors about him and many admired him for that. Ambition, hard work, strength, and common sense were clearly displayed in his personality. Franklin had a passion for life and I think that he showed it to us by his many accomplishments. Benjamin Franklin is the ideal American and the one who revealed what is meant by the American dream.

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He uses several allusions in order to bring other events and people to mind. Franklin wants to “...Imitate Jesus and Socrates” (143). He is also basing his methods of self-examination on Pythagoras’s. These historical figures are well-known by the general public. Mentioning these figures helps audiences know that Franklin wants to be wise, kind, and humble, and that he also is going to be orderly and self-reflective.

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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is composed of four different parts that were written at three different periods in Franklin’s life. The first section starts with Franklin addressing his son and it seems as though Franklin is telling his life story so that it may be an example of how he was continuously improving himself. Franklin also makes mention of his religious beliefs and God throughout the book which seems to be a theme throughout the book. Throughout Franklin’s Autobiography there are many themes displayed; self-improvement and religion, seem to stand out as two of the major subjects that Franklin was focused on.

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