Benjamin Franklin - The first self-made man in America essays

Benjamin Franklin - The first self-made man in America essays Franklin's autobiography represents the American dream - rising from rags to riches, or as Franklin himself writes Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence... (P. 1). Franklin writes to his son, as some kind of self-help book. He hopes that through his life story people will be inspired, and find their own path to success. Almost every paragraph in the book aims to point out certain virtues Franklin has, and how much important it is. At the beginning of the second part (P. 55) he explains this with letters from friends who have read parts of the autobiography and encourage him to publish the book a model to improve one's life. He even outlines thirteen which he believes are important for successful living. But already in the beginning of the book Franklin discusses the importance of respect and family (P. 11). Out of respect to his father he does not go into the sea trade, and his father allows him to quit the family trade and apprentice as a printer under his brother in Rhode Island. He also takes his father's advice when his father notices a written discussion between Franklin and a friend and, without addressing the subject, corrects his son's writing. Franklin mentions the fact that his father did not address the topic discussed, only the manner of writing, respecting his privacy (P. 11). Leaving his family house at the age of twelve indicates his independence, as well as his decision to not eat meat at the age of sixteen, while being criticized for it by his brother and others. Later he leaves his brother, after feeling confined and unevaluated by him. By this he shows he will not conform, and will walk his own path. Another attribute Franklin holds in high regard is good penmanship, and writing. He learns from anyone and everything he can, whether it's his father advices, the books he reads etc. A complete paragraph in page 13 discusses ho...