Reading Guide for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Historian Walter Isaacson tells us, Franklin "had faith in the wisdom of the common man and felt that a new nation would draw its strength from what he called 'the middling people'...The essence of Franklin is that he was a civic-minded man. He cared more about public behavior than inner piety, and he was more interested in building the City of Man than the City of God."
You will not turn these questions in, but will should guide your reading and aid your understanding of this book. The more specific page numbers you use, the better our discussion will be.
1. Describe the tone of this autobiography. Point to examples of Franklin’s tone sounding arrogant. Point to examples of Franklin’s humility.
2. How would you describe young Ben's attitude toward education, work, and financial success? Give an example or two to illustrate your answer.
3. In Part 3 of the Autobiography Franklin reflects on the problems encountered when governments are in the hands of people who pursue their own private interests at the expense of the public good. What solution does he advocate? How realistic do you think it is?
4. Give some examples of how Franklin spends his time making society better. Why do you think he does this? What is the purpose of the Junto club?
5. Give some examples of how Franklin spends time trying to improve himself.
6. What was Franklin’s daily life like?
7. Describe Franklin’s religious beliefs. What does the passage about George Whitefield say about Franklin’s view of religion?
8. And finally, do you think he was right in recognizing the tendency of politicians to seek after their own interest at the expense of the public good? Can you cite examples of such behavior in our current state, local, and national government?
9. Can values be taught in schools? Should they be? Is it possible to agree on a single list of “virtues”? Former Secretary of Education and sometime Republican presidential candidate, William Bennett, in his best selling Book of Virtues, suggests that every American school boy and girl should be made to read and study the values contained in this eighteenth-century book. What are those values? Are they still applicable today?
Not to sure if this is the right forum to propose this, but is there any other history 231 students in either of Prof. Schmoll's sections wiling to meet to discuss material covered during class sessions? It may be a good idea to exchange thought and views regarding class reading assignments as well. I'm game :)!
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