Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin – Flashcards
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a printer, writer, inventor, scientist, and great American
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Benjamin Franklin
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The Pennsylvania Gazette
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What publication did Franklin create?
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Junto Club (debate) (Also called the Leather Apron Club)
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What club did Franklin create?
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Police force, hospital, fire department, University of Pennsylvania, Library
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List the institutions Franklin and this club helped create.
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What virtue did Franklin hope to achieve by planning each day's activities?
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orderliness
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Which virtue is most difficult for BF to master?
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order
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Pay particular attention to the story of the man with the axe; it starts at the bottom of page 146 and continues on the top of page 147. What does this anecdote about the man with the axe reveal about Franklin's sense of humor?
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the anecdote reveals that Franklin understands that some of his goals are unrealistic
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What do we learn about Franklin? He did not publish the book with the virtues called "The Art of Virtues"
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That he gave up on striving for moral perfection but always kept his book with him to remind him that he should strive for moral perfection but could never really achieve it.
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What did Franklin learn about people?
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That people do not like perfect people
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Why did he write the autobiography?
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He wrote it so all his descendants will try to make their goal; He hopes to encourage them
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What excuse did Franklin use for not becoming perfect? What analogy does Franklin use to describe how difficult it is to become perfect?
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That like the ax people were ok and preferred imperfections and that he should not strive to be perfect in order to have more friends The Ax grinding - so hard to turn the wheel eventually customer satisfied with only part of the ax being sharpened
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Did Franklin feel he was a better person for trying to be perfect?
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Yes - he felt he had become a better person even though he fell short of perfection
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What was one of the other reasons that Franklin tried to be perfect?
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He wanted to look good in the eyes of his descendants - He wanted to have a positive effect in his life
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humility
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What was the thirteenth trait he added to his list?
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connections with numerous people
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What important asset did he gain in his travels?
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the desire to provide a record of the circumstances of his life for his posterity.
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What chiefly inspired Franklin to write his Autobiography?
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Jesus Christ lived, died, and was resurrected.
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According to his Autobiography, Franklin accepted each of the following principles of religion except that...
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DOES NOT HAVE obedience.
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In his Autobiography, Franklin emphasizes each of the following virtues in his plan for moral perfection except which one?
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any of the distinguishing principles of a particular religion.
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In his Autobiography, what element does Franklin purposely omit from his plan for moral perfection?
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any of the distinguishing principles of a particular religion.
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According to Franklin's Autobiography, what part did reading a volume of the Spectator play in his development?
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humility
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According to Franklin's Autobiography, which virtue did Franklin add because a Quaker friend pointed out that Franklin was thought to lack this virtue?
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true.
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(T/F) As did his Puritan forefathers, Franklin stressed right living as the means to happiness, but, unlike them, he encouraged broad religious toleration,
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true
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(T/F) According to his Autobiography, Franklin prayed to God for help to practice his plan for moral perfection.
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Philadelphia
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This is the city Ben Franklin moved to when he was sixteen years old.
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the city in which Benjamin Franklin was born
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Boston, Massachusetts
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the person who Ben Franklin said wrote his almanac
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Richard Saunders
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one of the ways Franklin helped the people of Philadelphia
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found ways to make letters come more quickly
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one of the ways Franklin helped the people of Philadelphia
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began a police force to protect the people
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one of the ways Franklin helped the people of Philadelphia
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suggested ways to keep the city's streets clean
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Printer, writer, inventor, scientist, and Great American
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What was Benjamin Franklin?
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Josiah and Abiah, his father loved to teach him debate. He had a step mom. Josiah taught him how to debate and how to write. Ben had enormous respect for his father. He burried them in a very nice cemetery.
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Ben's parents
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Ben's older brother who owns a printing press in Boston. Ben is apprenticed to him when he was 12. They did not always get along very well. Ben learns a lot from James. James gets arrested for writing some bad stuff about the government in his newspapers. When Ben breaks his contract and heads for Philadelphia his brother get very angry at him.
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James Franklin
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A "bookish lad" whom Ben befriends in Boston. They two practice their debating skills in Boston. John resolves to go to philadelphia with Ben several years later. He ends up becoming an alcoholic and moving to the carribean. Ben gives him a bunch of money which John never re pays.
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John Collins
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A printer in Philadelphia, he is unable to hire Franklin but he lets him stay in his house. Later on, when Franklin runs his own papers, the two are competitors until Bradford leaves the business.
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Andrew Bradford
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The printer in Philadelphia for whom Franklin works. Their relationship deteriorates over time, and eventually they have a falling out. Keimer, however, tries to make amends when he realizes that Ben can supply him with important printing tools.
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Samuel Keimer
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A resident of Philadelphia, he houses Franklin shortly after Franklin arrives in Philadelphia.
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John Read
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The daughter of John Read, she eventually marries Franklin even though their courtship is interrupted by his 18-month trip to England, during which time she marries another man who disappears--thus allowing her marriage to Franklin.
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Deborah Read
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The royal Governor of Pennsylvania when Franklin arrives in Philadelphia. Keith is impressed by Franklin and resolves to help him, but in effect does very little. He is a man who does not often follow through on what he says he will do.
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Gov. William Keith
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A local Philadelphia poet whom Franklin befriends and with whom Franklin travels to England. Franklin tells a story of a time when Ralph, who was often disliked and thus overly criticized by his friends in the realm of poetry, asked Franklin to read one of Ralph's poems as Franklin's own, which Franklin did to very high praise. Ralph traveled with Franklin to England, where he leeched off Franklin most of the time and borrowed large sums of money that he never repaid. Franklin and Ralph ended up going separate ways when Franklin hits on Ralph's girlfriend and is rejected.
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James Ralph
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A friendly Quaker whom Franklin meets on his way to England. They remain friends while in England, and it is Denham who eventually convinces Franklin to return to America after an 18-month stay. Franklin works for Denham for a short time in a goods store upon his return.
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Mr. Denham
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The man with whom Franklin begins a new printing house after leaving Keimer. Meredith, however, does not work very hard, and eventually leaves.
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Meredith
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Scientist, inventor, philosopher, statesmen, economist, printer, musician
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He was a famous _____, _____, ______, ______, _____, _____, ______.
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Deborah, 1730
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Ben Franklin married ___________ in ____.
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Francis, 4 , small pox, he mentions him in his book.
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They had a son named __________ who was born in 1732, but he died at the age of __ due to __________.
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He drank and ate to freely
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What did Benjamin Franklin do to deserve such cruel suffering?
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The Gout
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Who accused him of that?
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Exercise!
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What does the Gout want Franklin to do?
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He reads books, pamphlets, and newspapers
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What does Franklin do in the morning?
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4 dishes of tea and some toast with beef
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What does he eat for breakfast?
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He takes a walk in the gardens of people he had just dined with
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What is Franklin's practice after dinner?
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Burn it
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What does the Gout want Franklin to do with his carriage?
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A physician
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What is a Gout?
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New England Courant
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What was Franklin's brother's newspaper called?
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He had to hand the newspapers out on the streets
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What was Franklin employed to do?
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He wrote articles anonymously
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What did Franklin do relating with the newspaper?
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He went to jail because of a bad political point in his newspaper
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What happened to Franklin's brother?
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The newspaper could not be printed under James Franklin. Solution: put it under Benjamin Franklin's name
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What was the consequence of the punishment? What was the solution that was made?
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He went to the printers around town and told them not to hire Benjamin
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What happened when Franklin's brother found out Franklin was leaving?
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Pilgrim's Progress
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Which of Franklin's favorite books from childhood appears in the pocket of a drunk Dutchman's pocket?
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Junto
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What was the name of Franklin's secret organization for which the membership was limited to 12?
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Richard Saunders
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Under which pseudonym did Franklin publish his Almanac for twenty-five years?
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Plain Truth
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What was the title of the pamphlet that Franklin wrote to encourage a volunteer militia to defend the colonies during the French and Indian War?
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-Elected to the Second Continental Congress -One of five men to draft the Declaration of Independence. -One of the 13 men who drafted the Articles of Confederation -Only Person to be included in all three of the major documents that freed the Colonists from the British.
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Franklins Political Life
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Last Words: "A dying man can do nothing easy" Died: April 17, 1790 in Philadelphia Legacy: -Face is on the $100 bill -Called the "First American"
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Franklins Later Life and Legacy
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Give the setting at the beginning of the writing
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Boston
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to whom did Franklin go first for a job and what did this person tell him?
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William Bradford. He didn't need him, but he suggested somewhere else
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what book does Franklin's say mixes narration and dialogue? Describe this book
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Pilgrims Progress - by Bunyan. Written in Dutch, Finely -- printed on good paper with copper cuts
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Briefly describe Franklin's night when he drew near the island
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The wind was blowing hard so they couldn't dock. they decided to sleep and they slept wet and with no food and only rum to drink
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where did Franklin take rest
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Quaker house
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How many voters did Franklin want to cultivate?
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13
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What skill would Franklin Improve if he acquired silence and order?
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he would help people and have his life in order
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8 accomplishments of Franklin
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-rose from poverty to eminence even though he had to leave school early to work. -at 24 years old he was a prosperous merchant, owner of a successful print shop and publisher of the "Pennsylvania Gazette" -Helped found the Academy of Philadelphia -Helped found the 1st public library in America -prompted municipal projects in Philadelphia: Paved streets, sewer lines, street lighting, and a fire brigade -Elected to England's royal society -Invented open heating stove, bifocal lenses, a type of harmonica and a rocking chair that could swat flies
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what skills did Franklin use fro the service of his state and country?
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diplomat and negotiator
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Sense of Humor
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What do Franklin's descriptions of himself as a young man reveal about his character? In other words, how would you describe Franklin's tone toward himself as he describes his youthful experiences?
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study and practice
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Franklin believes moral perfection can be attained by what means?
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master one then go on to the next
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what is Franklin's reasoning for the order in which he ranks the virtues?
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He *makes a list* of what he wants to achieve
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According to The Autobiography, what is Franklin's *first step in his plan* to reach perfection?
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His own *bad habits*
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In The Autobiography, what does Franklin say *keeps him from* becoming a better person?
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He hopes the strength he gains each week will *spill over into the next*
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In The Autobiography, why does Franklin *assign a week* to each of the virtues he is trying to achieve?
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He reasoned that he must *be clearheaded* before proceeding to the next virtue
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Why did Franklin *begin* his moral perfection *with the virtue Temperance*?
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He could see that when he *focused on one virtue*, he did *not do as well with the others*
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What *effect did tracking his progress* on a chart have regarding his observations of progress?
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a brief statement that expresses some *truth about life*
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What is an *aphorism*?
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He was exhausted and had no money .
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What is Franklin's condition when he arrives in Philadelphia?
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Moral Perfection .
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What were his 13 virtues based on?
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Ancient Greek philosopher and teacher.
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What does Socrates mean?
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For his son.
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Why did Franklin write his Autobiography?
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Being a statesman and a diplomat as well as an inventor.
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What three things are Benjamin mainly remembered by?
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His opinions/suggestions about moral perfection and self discipline, achievements and about himself.
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What is Franklin's "Autobiography" filled with?
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Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
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What two important writings did he help to draft?
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newspaper that Franklin worked at as a young man; where he started to develop his writing skills
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the autobiography: part one - New England Courant
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tended to drink water & eat as little as possible; experimented with being a vegetarian; saved his money for things he really wanted rather than beer and extravagant food
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Franklin's eating & drinking habits
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- intended for ministry - his father was gracious in accepting what Franklin wanted to do
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the autobiography: part one
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- running away from his brother's internship - not writing to Miss Read more often - Vernon's money
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examples of erratum
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corrected the erratum of Vernon's money by writing him a letter of acknowledgments
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the autobiography: part one
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was a leader among childhood friends - stole materials from a construction site to make the wharf - wasn't good at keeping his friends out of trouble
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the autobiography: part one
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honors his mother (Abiah) & father (Josiah) even though they were poor
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the autobiography: part one
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knows the bible from studying & going to church
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the autobiography: part one
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while reading The Spectator, he really wants things perfect & is willing to work hard to make that happen
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the autobiography: part one
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credited with developing the nation's first public library, but didn't want too much credit for it; was always on alert for civic improvement
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the autobiography: part two - Franklin & the library
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spent one week on each one & had a notebook to stay organized; focused more on external rather than internal; strived for a perfection that was almost impossible to reach
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the autobiography: part two - 13 virtues
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humility - one of his friends said he was too vain, so Franklin decided to work on it but he became proud of himself for his humility
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virtues he had a difficult time with
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A discussion group that Ben formed to discuss questions of philosophy and mortality
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Junto
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He makes a list of what he wants to achieve
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According to The Autobiography, what is Franklin's first step in his plan to reach perfection?
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His own bad habits
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In The Autobiography, what does Franklin say keeps him from becoming a better person?
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He hopes the strength he gains each week will spill over into the next
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In The Autobiography, why does Franklin assign a week to each of the virtues he is trying to achieve?
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He has high hopes for himself
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In The Autobiography, Franklin believes that he can become a better person. What does this belief tell you about how he sees himself?
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Success
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What effect does Franklin hope to achieve by concentrating on improving one virtue at a time?
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The task was very difficult
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In which sentence is the meaning of the word arduous suggested?
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Greed
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Which word is closest in meaning to avarice?
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Watchfulness
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Franklin observed his behavior with extreme vigilance,or
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Spend or use wastefully
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Which of the following answers is closest in meaning to squander?
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He compiles thirteen virtues
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How does Franklin begin his project to achieve moral perfection?
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Order
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Which virtue is most difficult for Franklin to master?
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Self-confidence
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When Franklin first devised his project to attain moral perfection, he thought it would be difficult but possible to become perfect. What quality does this suggest that Franklin possessed?
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Logical and orderly
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The list of virtues that Franklin draws up suggests that he was
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He reasoned that he must be clearheaded before proceeding to the next virtue
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What cause Franklin to begin his moral perfection with the virtue Temperance?
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He could see that when he focused on one virtue, he did not do as well with the others
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What effect did tracking his progress on a chart have regarding his observations of progress?
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tithe to the church
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Franklin was intended to be a
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1732
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When was the Almanac published?
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to show his humble beginnings and he had a struggle
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Why does Franklin give so much detail about his first day in Philadelphia?
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because he rowed his way there; pride compels him to pay his way (make himself not seem poor)
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Why do you think the boatmen at first refuse to accept money from Franklin? Why do you think he offers to pay?
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sleeps in Quaker house; reveals sense of humor and normal human being
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What does Franklin do during the Quakers' meeting? What do you think the last sentence reveals about Franklin?
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He was born on a Sunday and he was left-handed
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What were the two strikes against Ben that made it unlikely that he would become a minister?
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The Lighthouse Tragedy
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When Ben was 12 he wrote a poem about a drowning. What was it called?
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a list of ideas that Benjamin Franklin wanted to live by
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thirteen virtues
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a black dot in a book
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how Franklin kept track of his faults
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a tale of being content with imperfections
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the speckled axe
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That moral perfection is unachievable.
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what Benjamin Franklin discovered after his attempt at being morally perfect
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Deborah read
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In 1730 franklin marries?
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A political party called the party for virtue
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Early in his life franklin considered founding?
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persistent, intelligent, hard work, caring
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In this selection from his autobiography, what characteristic does Franklin seem most eager to portray?
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perfectibility of every individual through the use of reason.
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What important concept from deism does Benjamin Franklin exemplify in his program for moral perfection?
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Silence Dogood
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What was the secret name that Ben used when writing to his brother's newspaper?
