Benjamin Franklin: Self-Invention and Public Image
- Submitted by: TheWayward
- Views: 2499
- Category: English
- Date Submitted: 03/30/2010 01:25 PM
- Pages: 7
- Report this Essay
Benjamin Franklin: Self-Invention and Public Image
Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography explores his process of self-invention. In his autobiography, Franklin details his efforts to carve a path through life using personal discipline and dedication. However, throughout his writing one can see that while Franklin develops a set of goals and characteristics to achieve affluence and success, he also concerns himself with building a public image as a vehicle for fulfilling his goals. Franklin strives to cultivate an outward appearance that exudes intellect, commitment, and potential by establishing himself as a modest and virtuous individual to his peers and the public. With consistent modesty, strong work ethic, and committed temperance Franklin accumulates the confidence of the public in himself as a printer. Ultimately, Franklin believes that by appealing to his public audience he can use the favorable reputation as a means to obtain wealth and fame.
Franklin’s attention to his audience was evident in adolescence when he devised his style of argumentation to create a modest image. The humility serves as a way to appeal to his audience, the opponents in a debate. In particular, Franklin avoided fierce contradictions and phrases of certainty but rather adopted the style of a “humble Enquirer and Doubter” (240). Primarily, Franklin wanted to maintain a façade of “modest Diffidence” when arguing with his peers (241). The desire to establish humility shows Franklin’s concern in building a favorable image. By avoiding “abrupt contradiction and positive Argumentation,” Franklin convinced others while remaining in an agreeable light. He asserted that although a person may have firm beliefs, the forceful expression of one’s opinions may often create opposition rather than overcome it (241). With a humble manner of expression, Franklin found it to his advantage in that he could draw “People even of superior Knowledge into Concessions the Consequences of which they did not...
Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography explores his process of self-invention. In his autobiography, Franklin details his efforts to carve a path through life using personal discipline and dedication. However, throughout his writing one can see that while Franklin develops a set of goals and characteristics to achieve affluence and success, he also concerns himself with building a public image as a vehicle for fulfilling his goals. Franklin strives to cultivate an outward appearance that exudes intellect, commitment, and potential by establishing himself as a modest and virtuous individual to his peers and the public. With consistent modesty, strong work ethic, and committed temperance Franklin accumulates the confidence of the public in himself as a printer. Ultimately, Franklin believes that by appealing to his public audience he can use the favorable reputation as a means to obtain wealth and fame.
Franklin’s attention to his audience was evident in adolescence when he devised his style of argumentation to create a modest image. The humility serves as a way to appeal to his audience, the opponents in a debate. In particular, Franklin avoided fierce contradictions and phrases of certainty but rather adopted the style of a “humble Enquirer and Doubter” (240). Primarily, Franklin wanted to maintain a façade of “modest Diffidence” when arguing with his peers (241). The desire to establish humility shows Franklin’s concern in building a favorable image. By avoiding “abrupt contradiction and positive Argumentation,” Franklin convinced others while remaining in an agreeable light. He asserted that although a person may have firm beliefs, the forceful expression of one’s opinions may often create opposition rather than overcome it (241). With a humble manner of expression, Franklin found it to his advantage in that he could draw “People even of superior Knowledge into Concessions the Consequences of which they did not...