Benjamin Franklin The American Dream - 1074 Words

Ben Franklin’s autobiography is a prime example of the American Dream. He starts life in a large family and is sent to find work fairly early. He grows into an educated, humble, and honorable man. Through his work in printing and writing he develops a formidable business and makes some money. Throughout his life he focuses greatly on achieving perfection, but finds that is not very practical, however it does lead him to happiness. He wrote this autobiography as a path, to live a life of virtue, mainly for his son. However, it has become a moral guide and tale of the so called American Dream. While there are several ways to interpret his writing and his character, Benjamin Franklin is one of the best examples of a pure and honest American. While Benjamin Franklin was a great man, this book has become quite famous and therefore could be interpreted in several different fashions. Several accounts in his life show how Franklin was a bitter man who managed to achieve much more than others. Several people he met in his life are thrown aside because they are either inferior or lack the determination that Franklin so frequently mentions. He famously insults John Collins by calling him a drunk who never accomplished anything with his work. Collins was perhaps a lazy man where drinking hindered his reasoning, willingness to work, and approachability. With a final fight Franklin tossed him into a river for refusing to row their boat, Collins leaves with the promise that he will repayShow MoreRelatedBenjamin Franklin : An American Dream1433 Words   |  6 Pages In the first part of American history, a very important person that contributed a great deal of findings and discoveries along with major political involvement was Benjamin Franklin. He is a very popular historical figure, known by Americans as one of the most influential founding fathers and also known by the English and French as a respected diplomat. Many people nowadays fail to remember how intelligent and successful he really was and how he accomplished all he could through hard work and passionRead MoreThe American Dream in The Great Gatsby and The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin1918 Words   |  8 Pages One of the greatest classic novels in American history, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, lends itself to be an indispensible literary work that reinforces and challenges the core values and ideals that Benjamin Franklin expresses in his Autobiography. In the provided passage, the young Franklin arrives in Philadelphia in hopes of becoming a new self-made man and begins his journey with little money and few resources much like Gatsby. After arriving by boat, he tries to pay the people of theRead MoreF. Scott Fitzgerald s The Great Gatsby1299 Words   |  6 Pagesto the Americas, people have flocked to the United States in order to fulfill the â€Å"American Dream.† Each person has their own interpretation of the American Dream, but to most, it simply means rising from humble beginnings to great success through hard work and determination. Benjamin Franklin, a great American leader, pursued the American Dream through the creation of his â€Å"13 Moral Virtues.† Like Benjamin Franklin, Jay Gatsby, the main character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s â€Å"The Great Gatsby†, createdRead MoreEssay Benjamin Franklins Autobiography 1120 Words   |  5 PagesIt was the year 1706 in Boston, MA when Benjamin Franklin entered the world. Birthed after fourteen other siblings, Franklins family structure is only one deciding fac tor in the way that this legendary tale pans out. A hero of American Revolution, this novel depicts 18th century realism accurately while logging Franklins personal conception on human nature and social community. Many look at Benjamin Franklins Autobiography as your typical rags to riches tale yet, the truth and falsehood throughoutRead MoreEssay on Benjamin Franklin Gender Roles965 Words   |  4 PagesAutobiography of Benjamin Franklin, we are reading the path that one man took to go from a middle class child to a well respected adult. Benjamin Franklin created what we know today as the American dream. Today we understand the American dream to be that one can go from rags to riches with a little hard work. The autobiography is based around the age of reason and a time man was thought to be able to be perfected by means of science and invention. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is full of successRead MoreBenjamin FranklinS Contributions To The American History1537 Word s   |  7 Pages Benjamin Franklin s contributions to the American history Benjamin Franklin has a significant impact to the American Revolution and the building of a new nation. His brilliant inventions throughout his life made a significant impact on the United States and will be remembered for them in U.S history. Franklin had inventions like the Franklins stove, and the lightning rod, he also discovered electricity. His inventions and discoveries have changed lives from the first day it was introduced.Read MoreThe Hundred Dollar Bill1599 Words   |  7 PagesStates of America; and right in the heart of the bill is the face of a renowned businessman. Benjamin Franklin lies in the center of this coveted bill. We see his face and we hear about his story of rags-to-riches, but it is interesting to ask how Franklin got to his high position in society. He is seen as the hero of Americans and a prime example of how to make it in a free market. Furthermore, Benjamin Franklin defined what success in America was as being able to rise up above your class by ha vingRead MoreThree Great Men that Embodied the American Dream1381 Words   |  6 PagesThe American dream is based upon the drive to become successful in life. It is a social ideal that having both freedom and liberty will include opportunity for prosperity and success in America. America is the land of opportunity. We are the home of freedom and liberty. Any man, immigrant or native born, all want the same thing. That is to make money. The reason why I put so much emphasis on man is that during this period in America and when the American dream was the most emphasized was during theRead MoreInformation To Those Who Would Remove To America Essay886 Words   |  4 PagesInformation to those who would remove to America By: Benjamin Franklin At a time of hardship and human progression in North America especially in the 1700’s one name specifically shines out amongst all others. That name is Benjamin Franklin; a visionary inventor, politician, and true American hero. In the late 1700’s, precisely 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote an informative essay titled, Information to Those Who Would Remove to America. It was printed out as a pamphlet for people in EuropeRead MoreInformation to Those Who Would Remove to America Essay911 Words   |  4 PagesInformation to those who would remove to America By: Benjamin Franklin At a time of hardship and human progression in North America especially in the 1700’s one name specifically shines out amongst all others. That name is Benjamin Franklin; a visionary inventor, politician, and true American hero. In the late 1700’s, precisely 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote an informative essay titled, Information to Those Who Would Remove to America. It was printed out as a pamphlet for people in Europe