Sunday, August 28, 2011

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is writing to his son, and in chapter 1 paragraph one he wants his son to know about all of the things Mr. Franklin did while growning up and during this adult years. Instead of telling his son what he has done, he thinks its best for him to write everything down.

Like anyone that is older or close to death everyone wants a second chance at life. As we get older the error of our ways become more apparent to us, and we would like to go back and change them. Which is the main point in paragraph two. Since that chance will likely never come Benjamin Franklin says "Since such a repetition is not to be expected, the next thing most like living one's life over again seems to be a recollection of that life, and to make that recollection as durable as possible by putting it down in writing." I think maybe putting it down on paper lets him relive his youth hints letting him have the repetition he seeks.

In paragraph three he knows what old men like to do, talk about themselves and everything they did. And he will follow suit and do the same, as he says "and I shall indulge it without being tiresome to others, who, through respect to age, might conceive themselves obliged to give me a hearing, since this may be read or not as any one pleases." what i take from that quote is im going to talk about myself and people are going to listen to me because im an old man, but im going to try not to over do it.

In the 4th paragraph he thanks God for all of the good things that have happend in his life, becuase God is the one that gave Benjamin all of gifts. Here is an example from the reading "I desire with all humility to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past life to His kind providence, which lead me to the means I used and gave them success" He hope that God Continues to look kindly on him.

The 4th to last paragraph Benjamin talks about what i assume his a boat ride to an island and seeing some people but those people not helping them get ashore. And having to stay on the boat for the night and getting wet from the ocean spray.

Later that night he came down with a fever and he says "having read somewhere that cold water drank plentifully was good for a fever, I follow'd the prescription, sweat plentiful most of the night, my fever left me" why this work is with the extra water his is body, it was able to sweat the fever out of him allowing him to catch the ferry.

On his way to Philadelphia it rained the whole way, so he stopped in at a "poor inn" were he was thought to be a run away servant Benjamin was in danger how being taken away. The next day he walked until he was just outside of Burlington were he again stopped at an Inn. He met the owner Dr. Brown and they become very good firends until Dr. Browns Death.

The next day he reached Burlington but he had missed all of the boat and he couldnt across until tuesday. He met a lady which offered to take him in until that time. she was a printer which he knew nothing about at the time, she fed him and took care of him.


In chapter 2:

He is walking up the street, hungry. See's a boy eating bread and the boy tells him were a baker is. Benjamin walked to the baker and talked to the baker he states " ask'd for bisket, intending such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in Philadelphia. Then I asked for a three-penny loaf, and was told they had none such. So not considering or knowing the difference of money, and the greater cheapness nor the names of his bread," apparently things were not the say as they were in boston. something we all find out the hard way when we leave home for the first time. Benjamin walks around burlington for awhile, follows some Quaker Men to a meeting were he falls asleep, a young man wakes him at the end. Benjamin ask him were he could stay for the night, the man points him towards a place. While he was eating dinner again people ask him if he was a run away, he assumes this is because of his youth and appearance.

The next day he goes to Andrew Bradfords printing shop, looking for a job. Andrew doesnt have work from he so he points him towards another printer. This new printer says he would like to hire him but right now there was no work to from him to do. Benjamin takes notice of the run down looking presses and worn-out english fonts. Benjamin states "These two printers I found poorly qualified for their business. Bradford had not been bred to it, and was very illiterate; and Keimer, tho' something of a scholar, was a mere compositor, knowing nothing of presswork." So he knows these men are not very good printers at all. The new printer didnt like that benjamin was sleeping at bradford's house while working for him. But the new printer had a house that wasnt furnished and he wont let benjamin stay with him. So he really didnt have a choice. He had aggranged for him to stay at a Mr. Reed's house which is the father of his furture wife. By this time his clothing had arrived, his appearance was better than before.

Chapter 6:

i didnt understand this chapter at all. Was this part of Autobiography? Or were this letters to benjamin? Why is order such a big thing here? was this after the war and people were scared if they didnt have order the new country would fall?

1 comment:

  1. Looks good so far, Keith. Are there any specifics in chapter six that you did understand? Or was any of it intriguing - might lead to understanding? Make sure to ask your questions in class. What did you find most interesting in Franklin?

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