--Like the Puritan minister Shepard, Benjamin Franklin wrote his Autobiography for private circulation to his son, but otherwise it is very different. What are the differences in terms of lessons to be drawn from life, understanding of self and larger community here?
--In the opening of Part I, Franklin casts himself as the "author" of his life, proposing the merits of being able to correct errors, as in a "second Edition." In what other ways in writing or editing an important figure for Franklin's vision of his life? What does it mean to you to be the 'author' of your life?
--What do you see as Franklin's religious beliefs? Is he in any way religious? If not religion, what are the values that most shape his beliefs and behaviors?
Ben doesn’t seem to be religious at all, though in many ways he lived a relatively pious life (according to his autobiography). He didn’t drink, he worked, he read, he dressed plainly, and he wheel-barrowed paper through the streets even though he had become wealthy. He also gathered like-minded people (his Junto group) for conversation and discussion. It seems that his quest for knowledge was his movable church. No matter what country or house he boarded in, he spent his Sabbaths reading and writing and studying. And, in a way, he created his own church in Philadelphia: the first public library.
ReplyDeleteHe also lived to a moral code (according to his autobiography). When he was young his father told him, “Nothing was useful which was not honest.” His story to his son certainly reflects that. He goes from poverty and being unknown to wealthy and a city/country founding father. His story began with that great image of him when he first got off the boat, dirty from travelling with a roll under each arm while eating another and walking down the streets of a mostly still sleeping Philly—that’s great. That’s what he started with: nothing. Then he ended up going to do great things like creating the first public library, fire department, public school, and even editing the Declaration of Independence. Work hard, his autobiography says, and you can succeed and do anything. That’s worshipable.
--In the opening of Part I, Franklin casts himself as the "author" of his life, proposing the merits of being able to correct errors, as in a "second Edition." In what other ways in writing or editing an important figure for Franklin's vision of his life? What does it mean to you to be the 'author' of your life?
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence that this is a question for tomorrow's reading. In church this morning, the message was about being the author of our own life, and taking everything for what it's worth and not taking advantage of what we've been given. I think being the "author" of my own life is very important--who's life is it, if I'm not the one directing or "writing" it. I believe that God has a "plan" for everyone, but I also believe that I make my own choices in my life and I have control over my actions. I think this is what Franklin was trying to say when he said he is the author of his own life. I agree with Franklin when he proposes correcting errors or a “second Edition.” I took that to mean that you do get a lot of second chances in life, and you must take full advantage of those chances. After all, we only get one life, and we need to make it worth while as long as we’re here.