Franklin And The American Dream Essay - 1486 Words

As many historians who have studied the life of Benjamin Franklin would say, he was the man who invented the American Dream. His unfinished autobiography, written in the late 1700’s, is a perfect insight into the society he was developing in and his passion to benefit his community. His worth ethic and determination led to his many accomplishments that helped shape the New World. Franklin’s involvement in community projects in Philadelphia was very important to him and reflected his idea of the virtuous life and moral perfection. His virtues helped him to be successful in many projects, a few being the formation of the Junto, the invention of the fireplace, the establishment of a school and the establishment of a hospital. Franklin’s drive for success and self-betterment was clear in the way that he rose up from poverty to fame and through the contributions to society that he made along the way. Not only was he one of the leading writers of his time, he was also a famous inventor, scientist, printer, civic leader and known for his influential role in the establishment of the United States. Franklins â€Å"formula for success† or as he called it, his â€Å"arduous project of arriving at moral perfection† , was summed into thirteen virtues. These virtues included: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility. Franklin worked on each of these one at a time, and in this order, until he hadShow MoreRelatedBenjamin Franklin : The American Dream1074 Words   |  5 Pages 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 virtueRead MoreBenjamin 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 MoreEdward Franklin Albee IIi : The American Dream, And The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?1313 Words   |  6 PagesENG3U0 Research Essay Edward Franklin Albee III is an American playwright mostly known for his works such as Who s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Zoo Story, The American Dream, and The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? Albee is perceived to be a leader in the creation of the American absurdist drama theatrical movement. Specifically, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 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These men represent self-reliance, independence, and share a desire for liberty. Though there work ethics and values may be viewed as similar, they both came from very different backgrounds. Franklin grew up in a big middle-class family. His parents were loving, however he was the fifteenth child out of seventeenRead 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 oppor tunity. 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 MoreBenjamin Franklin And John Winthrop1651 Words   |  7 PagesBenjamin Franklin and John Winthrop, men with different ideals, present the same notion that America should be presented as a â€Å"city upon a hill.† Franklin believed that the American dream should be presented as an ideal where men and women are equal and can both move up in social class on their own, practicing any religion they desired. On the other hand, Winthrop believed that the new world was a religious safe haven only for the Puritans. American Exceptionalism was overall the main focus, guidingRead MoreEssay Benjamin Franklins Autobiography 1120 Words   |  5 PagesIt was the year 1706 in Boston, MA when Benjamin Fra nklin entered the world. Birthed after fourteen other siblings, Franklins family structure is only one deciding factor 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 MoreThe American Dream Is Still Achievable773 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is the American Dream and is it still achievable? If it is still achievable, then how can the American Dream be achieved? The American Dream is the idea that every United States citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work. The American Dream provides unequally for the modern-day society of the United States by limiting the types of people can achieve this dream and an example of which would be that someone that is a homosexual would have a lesser