the autobiography of benjamin franklin second edition

So, obviously, the colonists choose him when they need someone smart and articulate to represent them. We see him as the voice of reason while generals and governors screw up over and over.

Climax Franklin triumphs over man and sea to reach England, where he's going to go up against the King's privy council about colonists' rights.ĭuring the French and Indian War, Franklin takes on more and more of a leadership role. Because we don't get to hear what Franklin thinks of this other war, it makes his observations about this one even more poignant. Even though the American Revolution has a big effect on Franklin-the-author's writing process – it's the event that keeps him from writing so long in between Parts 1 and 2 – he really only mentions it a few times like we keep saying, the Autobiography's narrative finishes before this second war starts. It's hard enough trying to build up your own small society and make it better without also being a pawn and living in a playground for a clash between two larger empires, don't you think? Let's make the 'Complication' section more complicated: we can get all 'meta' here and think of this particular war as also standing in for the American Revolution, which Franklin doesn't talk about. But then the colonies find themselves in the middle of a war.

Complication The French and Indian War breaks out.įranklin's just dealing with the normal problems you have as a small business owner, like finding clients and getting paid, as well as more unusual stuff like creating fire departments. After all, it's not easy to be your own boss, especially when you're obsessed with virtue and working on being fair and honorable. People are always telling him they've got money when they don't, which makes it tough to keep his business afloat. This guy's got a lot of energy, and if you're going to dabble in as many things as he is, you're bound to run into a little trouble. Conflict Franklin tries to build his business, while knocking down the competition, dealing with government agents, and trying to be virtuous. Once he escapes this family dynamic, he can get out into the great wide world and start having adventures. Like any good fairy tale hero, Franklin's stuck in a bad family situation and wants to strike out on his own. Initial Situation As a kid, Franklin's apprenticed to his brother, but he hates working there and runs away to Philadelphia.

The autobiography of benjamin franklin second edition