ENGL 4188 (Individual Authors):
“The Many Faces of Benjamin Franklin”
Dr. Patrick M. Erben
Oral Presentation
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Please read carefully!
1. Assignment Goal:
Now it’s your turn: where can you find Benjamin Franklin “pop up” in contemporary culture? In
other words, what are the uses (or abuses) of Ben Franklin in American culture today, especially
pop culture? What does BF mean to people today, or does he mean anything? Is he a cultural
force we identify with or a cultural farce? Have images or representations of Benjamin Franklin
moved to the realm of simulacra, i.e. a mass-produced images or signs that bear no relation to
reality, or, in other words, something that does not copy the real but rather create a reality in its
own right—the “hyper-real” (Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation: "Simulation is the
situation created by any system of signs when it becomes sophisticated enough, autonomous
enough, to abolish its own referent and to replace it with itself."). Or, can we find examples of
“pop culture Franklin” that allow us to understand or re-focus who we were and who we are and
who we should be as a culture?
Examples:
1) In recent episodes of the Colbert Report (itself a simulation of a “real” news show), for
example, BF appeared to deliver his typical wisdom to a less-than-understanding “anchor.”
What does Franklin’s presence, here, call attention to?
a) the loss of meaning of his wisdom for contemporary culture (“sorry, Ben, you’re ‘out’”)
b) the stultification of contemporary culture (especially news “commentary”), resulting in our
inability to relate to a figure that was meaningful during our nation’s founding and cultural
flowering? What does the humor or satire of his appearance here rely on? Could Stephen
Colbert’s BF be more real to us, because “he” calls attention to a detachment of our admiration
for BF from our actual political culture?
2) In Adrienne Young’s album The Art of Virtue, however, Franklin’s endeavors of working for
the public good and promoting virtue are a lost art that is once again worth emulating.
Overall, your oral presentation should not just describe how Franklin is being used (e.g. in a
commercial for selling cars…) but also how BF functions as a pop culture “sign” or “icon”
conveying specific messages situated within our present needs, desires, and problems.
2. Assignment Description:
a. First of all, have fun with this assignment and be creative, both in the research
phase and in your presentation!
b. Find a—any—present or recent use of Benjamin Franklin in contemporary
popular culture, i.e. anything outside academic/scholarly works studying Franklin
critically or historically. I specifically encourage you to choose and analyze a
visual “sign” or representation. You may pick any element of public/popular
culture: sculpture, painting, TV, film, theater, music, Internet, etc. I encourage
you to cast your net widely.
c. Research the “history” of BF’s use in that particular space or application (e.g., if
it’s a song, where did the songwriter get the idea or inspiration?). Consider the
questions above and our general guiding questions!
d. Your presentation should include:
i. Some kind of visual or audible aid containing the use of Franklin in
popular culture (an electronic image or photo, a video clip, a song, a
copied image or text, etc.)
ii. An explanation of the context where it appeared and, as much as possible,
a history of its “making”
iii. A basic description or narration of all visual, narrative, and artistic
elements
iv. An analysis of the purposes of its use and the implication of its use for
“our” reception and construction of Franklin
v. Some questions for the class to engage them in analysis of the “image”
vi. A (printed or electronic) works cited page, including the “image” or text
you discuss as well as any other works consulted
vii. Prepare your presentation using some kind of visual presentation media,
such as Powerpoint, slide show, overhead projector, etc.
3. Length:
8-15 minutes (not including any discussion following or coming out of your
presentation).
4. Format:
All presentations should be given in a professional and engaging manner, including
suitable dress, good preparation, fluid speaking, appealing visual aides, critical analysis,
and involvement of the audience.
5. Grading Criteria:
a. Choice of pop culture icon and level of research
b. Contextualization
c. Visual component
d. Appropriate critique and analysis
e. A central thought or “argument” up front or in conclusion
f. Enthusiasm and style of presentation.
6. Portion of Overall Course Grade: 10%
7. When to present:
Please sign up for a specific class date when you will give your oral presentation! Speak
to me about the placement of your oral presentation within the plan of a specific class
meeting!
8. Due Date: (see schedule!)