Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790)
American Literature I
10 /18/2004
Cecilia H. C. Liu
The Age Of Reason
Enlightenment thought was, in part, a product
of the Scientific Revolution. There is
justification to present the Enlightenment as
the Age of Reason because of intellectual
advancements that promoted a scientific
approach to political, social, and economic
issues, because of the development of the
concept of human progress, and because of the
acceptance of the state as its instrument.
Newtonian science , seventeenth century
empiricism, and enlightened thought are
"progressive" steps in the western intellectual
tradition fostering the belief in universal order
and natural law .
Franklin as an Inventor (1)
• Franklin has made important
discoveries and advancements,
and invented the lightning rod.
• In colonial America, most people
warmed homes by building a fire
in a fireplace and Franklin made
an invention of an iron furnace
stove to allow people warm their
homes less dangerously and with
less wood. The furnace stove that
he invented is called a Franklin
stove. Interestingly, Ben also
established the first fire company
and the first fire insurance
company in order to help people
live more safely.
Franklin as an Inventor (2)
• Franklin has figured out
routes for delivering the
mail, and invented a
simple odometer and
attached it to his carriage.
• Franklin retired from
business and public
service and wanted to
spend his time reading and
studying. He found,
however, that his old age
had made it difficult for
him to reach books from
the high shelves, called a
long arm to reach the high
books.
Franklin’s Inventions
Franklin as an Economist
• Ben Franklin's personal ideas about
economy helped to shape our country's
economy. We are lucky that they did
because Franklin believed that the only true
way to wealth was through hard work. This
noble idea became the soul of the
"American Dream," the idea that all people
are created equal and each person has the
same opportunity to achieve success.
Franklin and Deism
• Deism is defined in Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary,
1941, as: "[From Latin Deus, God.Deity] The doctrine
or creed of a Deist." And Deist is defined in the same
dictionary as: "One who believes in the existence of a
God or supreme being but denies revealed religion,
basing his belief on the light of nature and reason."
• This common sense approach to God and a spiritual
philosophy can not only bring a lasting profound sense
of peace and happiness to the individual, but it also has
the potential to go light years in eradicating religious
fear, superstition and violence.
Franklin as a Statesman
• Benjamin Franklin stands tall among a small group of men we
call our Founding Fathers. Ben used his diplomacy skills to serve
his fellow countrymen. His role in the American Revolution was
not played out on the battlefields like George Washington, but
rather in the halls and staterooms of governments. His clear
vision of the way things should be, and his skill in both writing
and negotiating, helped him to shape the future of the United
States of America.
• Ben stands alone as the only person to have signed all four of the
documents which helped to create the United States: the
Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty of Alliance,
Amity, and Commerce with France (1778), the Treaty of Peace
between England, France, and the United States (1782), and the
Constitution (1787). He actually helped to write parts of the
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. No other
individual was more involved in the birth of our nation.
Questions for Discussion 1
• Read Franklin's 1757 text, "The Way to Wealth." Then, select
any three of Poor Richard's maxims, and write "imitations" of
them; that is, "plug in" your own words at the appropriate
points. Example: for "He that hath a trade, hath an estate," one
could write, "She that hath a husband, hath a curse."
• Note how Franklin frames "The Way to Wealth." It opens upon
Poor Richard, eavesdropping on a village elder, called Father
Abraham, who has been asked a question involved with civic
matters: "Won't these taxes quite ruin the country?" (page 214/
A 517). But does Father Abraham provide a direct answer to
that question? Indeed, does he even speak of civic matters at all?
Endlessly quoting Poor Richard, Father Abraham addresses
what sphere of human activity? Why? Does he persuade the
people? Answer and discuss these questions, in several
paragraphs.
Questions for Discussion 2
• What does Franklin learn from his sojourn among the
English, for example about their habits of work, selfmanagement, and the like?
Throughout Part I we see Franklin attaching himself to a
series of older, more powerful men. Now, what if we
considered this series as the "plot" of Part I? In two or
three paragraphs, write a summary of that plot, showing
how and why it leaves him on the verge of public projects
(the Junto, and the Subscription Library) at the end of Part
I.
Questions for Discussion 3
• In what instances does Franklin insist that he is chosen, or called,
to public service? How are such moments significant?
• In what instances, and by what means, does Franklin seek to
vigorously persuade, and shape, public opinion? What do these
moments teach?
• What does Franklin have to say about factions, or parties, in
politics; and how does he justify his view of them?
References
• Enlightenment and Revolution
http://idcs0100.lib.iup.edu/modernera/favorite.htm
• Deism http://www.deism.com/deism_defined.htm
• Benjamin Franklin: Glimpse of the Man http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/
• Benjamin Franklin Reading Assignments:
http://www.uky.edu/AS/English/courses/online/eng251/assignment08.html
http://www.uky.edu/AS/English/courses/online/eng251/assignment09.html
• http://www.uky.edu/AS/English/courses/online/eng251/assignment10.html