Benjamin Franklin Hero's Journey

American Literature Essay

Benjamin Franklin wrote his autobiography in during the 1700’s about his life starting with his early childhood and through the last couple of year he was alive. Franklin speaks about his life comparing his actions to the Hero’s Journey; Call to Adventure, Crossing the Threshold, as well as Challenges and Temptations. The Hero’s Journey; originally called a Monomyth, was introduced and written by Joseph Campbell in his book; The Hero With A Thousand Faces published in 1949. The Hero’s Journey is a series of events that a person experiences on his or her way to becoming a true hero. Benjamin Franklin; in his autobiography, speaks about the hero’s journey, referencing his life to the Call to Adventure, Crossing the

Crossing the Threshold is the action of already deciding to start the adventure, and completing the first stepping stone of the adventure. “At the end of Act One, the hero commits to leaving the Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values.” “The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.” (Christopher Vogler) In this quotation, Christopher Vogler is speaking about the Crossing the Threshold, and Challenges and Temptations. After deciding to go on the adventure, the hero chooses to continue the adventure by going into the unknown; or also known as crossing the threshold. Once the hero crosses the threshold they are thrown many different challenges and temptations that will push the hero to his or her limits. After leaving Boston; where Benjamin Franklin worked with his brother, James he had to create a lie that he would tell to his father so that he could smoothy leave Boston and head to Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin speaks with his friend about how he is going to get out of Boston. Collin comes up with the idea of telling the town that Benjamin got a women pregnant, and will run away and marry her privately. This is the first obstacle that is thrown at Benjamin on his “adventure” of crossing the threshold. “My friend Collins, therefore, undertook to manage a little for me. He agreed with the

While back in America, Benjamin Franklin saves enough money to start his own printing press. At this point in his life, Franklin is continuing to write many of his books, exploring new ideas, and inventing. “It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined. While my care was employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason.” ( Benjamin Franklin) In this quotation, Franklin is speaking about how his next chapter in life is to continue to attempt to become a better person. After all of the trial and tribulations, and the many challenges that are thrown at Benjamin Franklin. After all of the struggles that Benjamin Franklin endured throughout his life, towards the end; he finally found the success in his