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The Autobiography
Four parts written at the age of 65 the first of its kind(autobiography) in literature: poverty → fame and wealth (self-made/ selfreliance) a Puritan document: self-examination and selfimprovement of an old man an eloquent elucidation through self-reliance for the fulfillment of American dream in building a new world of opportunity Style: Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision; homeliness of imagery
• In Philadelphia today, you can still walk down cobblestone streets and visit historic sites. Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Liberty Bell, and the home of Betsy Ross are within walking distance for tourists and history enthusiasts.
lmanac
He did not always write the maxims himself. His sources are often easily identifiable. He borrowed from such writers as Defoe, Swift, and Pope, Such sayings as “Lost time is never found again”, “A penny saved is a penny earned”, “God help them that help themselves”, “Fish and visitors stink in three days”, and “Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” .
Works and Style
Works: Autobiography: his best writing Poor Richard’s Almanac: the most quoted of all his writings Collected Works Philadelphia Gazette General Magazine Style: power of expression, simplicity, a subtle humor; being sarcastic
Business career: a printer → Pennsylvania Gazette Academic activity: the Junto → the found of the University of Pennsylvania Scientific achievement: lightening rod/ Franklin stove/ bifocal glasses/ a miniature printing press(印 印 刷机)/ 刷机 armonica(玻璃口琴)/ the theories of electricity: “positive”and “negative”/ the study and mapping of the Gulf Stream(墨西哥暖流 墨西哥暖流) 墨西哥暖流 Political career: the improvement of the postal system great contribution to American Independence: negotiation with British and France; aid in writing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution Biography
1. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN(1706-1790)
Biographical Introduction Introduction to Poor Richard’s Almanac Introduction to The Autobiography Appreciation of the selected part
• The Autobiography
• Connect your experience with the Autobiography
• Real- life stories can provide as much excitement as any fictional drama. It’s not surprising, then, that bestseller lists frequently include the autobiographies of celebrities; we want to know how people have achieved fame and dealt with adversity. Autobiographies of historical figures, such as Franklin, can be equally gripping, allowing us a firsthand look at events that have helped shape our world.
• History: Franklin in Philadelphia • Benjamin Franklin greatly influenced daily life in colonial Philadelphia. He helped establish the city’s public library and fire department, as well as its first college. In addition, through his efforts Philadelphia became the first city in the colonies to have street lights. • Philadelphia was an important center of activity during the period leading up to the American Revolution. It was here that the Declaration of independence , establishing the United States as an independent nation, was written and signed.
In-depth Analysis
Self-examination and self-reliance is seen everywhere in the excerpt from the following aspects: how to read, how to be a printer, how to write, how to argue, how to study language, how to develop a club. Whether reading, writing, or arguing, depends on hard-working. (: painstaking)
Franklin
Appreciation of The Selected Part
Structure: a. Reading books as a child: by John Bunyan, R. Burton, Plutarch, Defoe and Mather and so forth b. Publishing as a career: continuing his reading of books, including poetry. c. Writing as a hobby: poetry (two ballads) first, then prose, while reading books
d. Practicing how to argue in writing e. Language study: French, Italian, Spanish, and lastly Latin It is more easy to study Latin after studying French,Italian, and Spanish. f. The death of his brother and one of his sons h. The found of the Junto: a learning club, resulting in a lot of similar clubs
Everything seems to meet in this one man – “Jack of all trades”. Herman Melville thus described him “master of each and mastered by none” Biography
Life Story
Biography
Poor Richard’s Almanac
For almost a quarter of a century he kept publishing Poor Richard’s Almanacs, expanding its literary part to the intense delight of its readers. Apart from poems and essays, he managed to put in many adages（格言，谚语） and （格言，谚语） common sense witticisms（妙语，俏皮话） （妙语，俏皮话） which became, very quickly, household words and, for many, mottos of the most practical kind.
