Benjamin Franklin, Shaped by His Times - Essay Example

of "Benjamin Franklin: Shaped by his Times" Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, was an erudite writer with multifarious interests. His passion for science made him a significant figure of the Enlightenment, while his Puritanical roots made him widely popular for his virtuous beliefs. Franklin began writing and publishing Poor Richards Almanack, while in Philadelphia and herein lay many of his beliefs and values. Franklin lived through the tumultuous times of pre-independent America and the birth of the conglomerate of states that we now call the USA. His opinions were greatly influenced by his immediate context, and these are reflected in his writings. By the 1750s, America had become an important colony for the British. The settlers here were however getting rather restless. Tired of the excessive taxation and restrictions imposed on them by the British Government, the colonized peoples considered themselves justified in protesting. It was against this backdrop that Benjamin Franklin wrote and published his famous Way to Wealth or Father Abrahams Sermon in 1758. It was soon after he had stopped writing for Poor Richards Almanack under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders whose sayings fill the pages of the above sermon. It is written in a lucid, clear style and strewn with adages that were sure to make it popular among the working classes. He urges the people to work hard, and practise frugality instead of complaining about taxation. He cites everyday examples and makes witty sayings out of them, another of his ways of connecting with the masses. Franklin is at this time, already visualizing a joint unified America. He addresses the people as one community and his tone is one that encourages ideas of brotherhood and ultimately, nationhood. "Many estates are spent in the getting,
Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting,
And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting." (Franklin, Way to Wealth.) Humorous quotations like this appear in every other line of the Way to Wealth. Franklin is clearly offering practical advice, in Poor Richards trademark humble, humorous, relatable voice. This work is meant for the larger public in the America yet to be born. Franklin is also shaping a popular opinion here. His use of repetitive, simple language with day-to-day examples is designed to influence the vox populi. "Friends," said he, "the taxes are indeed very heavy, and, if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us; God helps them that help themselves, as Poor Richard says." (Franklin, Way to Wealth.) At this time, Franklin was already involved the politics of the fast-emerging nation. In 1755, Britain and France were warring over America. Franklin led 500 soldiers and built a fort before being recalled to Philadelphia (Sparknotes Editors). From 1757, Franklin had been fighting for taxation of the land proprietors in Pennsylvania: a cause for which he even travelled to England to hold meetings and argue his case. A battle he finally won in 1760. The political persona and the writers persona are distinct and yet interdependent. Benjamin Franklin had the revolutionary ideal of nationhood already in mind, and he used his writing and his actions in the legislative assembly to pave the way for realizing that ideal. While he urged the common people to unite and work hard towards prosperity, he also used his political tact and dynamism to get legislative changes that would help "his people", the way he saw Americans. In another work called "Information to those who would Remove to America" written in 1784, Franklin directly addresses the issue of immigrants. Following the success of the 1776 struggle for independence, America was the destination to reach for hordes of migrants. Everyone wanted to be a part of the American dream of prosperity. Franklin, in his usual conversational style, talks of a realistic view of America. He takes on himself the task of presenting the "truth" of America. "The Truth is, that though there are in that Country few People so miserable as the Poor of Europe, there are also very few that in Europe would be called rich; it is rather a general happy Mediocrity that prevails. There are few great Proprietors of the Soil, and few Tenants; most People cultivate their own Lands, or follow some Handicraft or Merchandise; very few rich enough to live idly upon their Rents or Incomes, or to pay the high Prices given in Europe for Paintings, Statues, Architecture, and the other Works of Art, that are more curious than useful. Hence the natural Geniuses, that have arisen in America with such Talents, have uniformly quitted that Country for Europe, where they can be more suitably rewarded. It is true, that Letters and Mathematical Knowledge are in Esteem there, but they are at the same time more common than is apprehended;" (Franklin, Information to those who would Remove to America) He declares that although everyone is welcome to the plentiful land of America, they should be warned about any illusions they may bring with them. America would not allow people to sit idle and do well. Anyone who came to this land would have to work just like the rest and reap the benefits of their hard work. He dispels European rumors of America being "what the English call Lubberland, and the French Pays de Cocagne, where the streets are said to be pavd with half-peck Loaves, the Houses tild with Pancakes, and where the Fowls fly about ready roasted, crying, Come eat me!" (Franklin, Information to those who would Remove to America.) America is not the land of riches and ignorance and just about any European would not be welcome there. Franklin elaborates and clarifies this point. We can observe therefore the changes that appear in the writing of Benjamin Franklin with the changing political climate. Franklin had the foresight to perceive the need of the hour and modify his address accordingly. But even with the changes, his voice was always one for the masses. He chooses to speak to the poorest citizen of the country rather than flatter the rich. This, among others was a major cause of his popularity and far-reaching influence as a writer, as well as a statesman. Works Cited "Benjamin Franklin." Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2009. Web. 25 Oct 2009. Franklin, Benjamin. "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin". EarlyAmerica.com. Web. 24 Oct 2009. SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Benjamin Franklin.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2005. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. Read More