Jackson GIlbert Benjamin Franklin Memoir Part 1 Response

The most interesting aspect of Benjamin Franklin’s memoir is the premise of the self made man. Franklin overcame many obstacles in order to become one of the most influential men in American history. He was born into a middle class family of seventeen children (Franklin,10). During Franklin’s one year of proper education at the age of eight, he advanced through three classes (Franklin, 11). Even after leaving school, Franklin kept reading and absorbing knowledge. Franklin went to great lengths to be an independent man. He left home for New York at the age of seventeen with nothing but the cloths on his back (Franklin, 24). Franklin’s life story is that of one man who educates himself and gains social power with only hard work and a little luck. I find the idea of a self made man fascinating and Franklin is certainly one of the exemplary self made men in our history.

Classroom Discussion Guidelines:

1 – Allow others to fully explain themselves before responding.

2 – Agree to Disagree.