Genuine Intent - Examining Franklin's Promotion of Self Improvement

Abstract

This paper examines the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and the author’s attempt at encouraging self-improvement. An Educational Perspective explores Franklin’s desire to increase his abilities as a writer and further his reading. An Elder’s Wisdom considers the role of older members of society and the insight that they can offer. Essential Virtue considers the need to live virtuously and offers tools to promote self-improvement. A Social Conscience illustrates Franklin’s concern for helping others to better themselves.

Genuine Intent:

Examining Franklin’s Promotion of Self-Improvement

Benjamin Franklin is renowned for his involvement in developing the United States into a modern, thriving republic. Many people do not realize that Franklin also desired the development of the individual. Franklin’s continuing evaluation of self resulted in his educational, moral and social development. Subsequently, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin challenges readers to enrich their own lives through self evaluation and improvement.

An Educational Perspective

Franklin did not enter life as a genius, nor did he miraculously attain his many skills and talents overnight. In the text, Franklin identifies an area of weakness in his writing style where he exclaims “I had the advantage of my antagonist in correct spelling and pointing (which I ow'd to the printing-house), I fell far short in elegance of expression, in method and in perspicuity.” (Franklin, 1909, pg. 14) He promotes self-improvement when he describes the manner in which he set out to increase his abilities as a writer and debater. His description of using an old copy of the Spectator to perfect his writing style is best illustrated when he said, “By comparing my work afterwards with the original, I discovered many faults and amended them.” (Franklin, 1909, pg. 15) I believe that as he illustrated his shortcomings in his desire to “be a tolerable English writer,” (Franklin, 1909, pg. 15) Franklin...