The Embodiment Of Individualism In The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin

As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States,Benjamin Franklin is famous not only as a productive scientist,an extraordinary statesman and diplomat,but also as a famous writer.The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin occupies a key position in American literature.Its far-reaching influence on several generations is beyond dispute.His autobiography relates his journey in life from a penniless printer to a successful individual mainly through his own efforts.It encourages and inspires millions of youth to count on their own efforts and to pursue their dreams.The reason why The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is so popular and influential is that it clarifies the meaning of individualism through the living experience of the autobiographer.Self-reliance,diligence,self-improvement and reason are harmoniously united in Franklin and he is considered as The First American.The previous research cover many fields,but they rarely systematically explore the work from the perspective of individualism.Thus,based on the close reading of the text,this thesis mainly discusses the embodiment of individualism in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.This thesis consists of four parts.The introduction starts with a brief summary of Franklin’s life experience and the content of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.Next,it sorts out the previous research at home and abroad,offers the literature review and puts forward the author’s point of view.Furthermore,it clarifies the term individualism.The last section elaborates the structure of this thesis and the significance of the research.The first chapter discusses the embodiment of individualism in his religion.Franklin holds independent judgment in religion.Growing up in a Puritan family,he abandons the rigid dogmas of Puritanism and chooses to adopt its positive creeds.The independence,introspection and other excellent qualities advocated by Puritanism are the origin of his individualism.Out of the passion for reason and humanity,he turns to Deism and advocates the power of man.The second chapter explores the process of self-construction of his three main identities and his endeavor for self-improvement.The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is not Franklin’s simple recollection and record of the past;instead,by his own efforts,Franklin constructs identities as the father of the family,public projector and one of the nation’s Founding Fathers,as well as taking on respective responsibilities in different life phases.Individualism is concerned with individual development and promotion,and Franklin clearly introduces his way to moral perfection so as to achieve self-improvement.The third chapter analyzes Franklin’s criteria for action--the pragmatic spirit.For him,usefulness should be taken into consideration before taking actions.What’s more,in public affairs,Franklin also believes that priority should be always placed on the practical outcome.It is the defining characteristic of his individualism.In the end,the thesis concludes that Franklin is a self-reliant and self-made man.The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the embodiment of his individualism,which exerts great influences on contemporary young writers and even on the whole nation.Meanwhile,The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the forerunner of the American biographic literature.