The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin EssayEssay Preview: The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin EssayReport this essayContrary to the fact that Benjamin Franklin actually never was president in his lifetime, these blatant misconceptions on his life clearly display a lack of understanding for a local historical hero. Though Michael Scott is one of the more ridiculously oblivious characters of the modern times, he unconsciously makes the very valid point that the common person today bases their understanding of Benjamin Franklin from his legacy rather than his life. Although John Adams could not have foreseen the legacy of Benjamin Franklin, the contrast between his life and legacy make him “one of the most curious characters in history.”
Benjamin Franklin rose from the obscurity of a printer to a world renowned gentleman in his lifetime. What many people dont know is that there, “was an enormous gap between his very obscure beginnings and his later worldwide eminence” (23). But “He could not have anticipated becoming the archetype of a self made man” (25) because he was not actually entirely self-made. Before Franklin began ascending the social ladder, he was patronized by gentlemen above him because it “was the basic means of social mobility in the eighteenth century” (26). By being patronized, he formulated many connections within the gentry class. He also had “a natural genius for business” (52) which attributes to his rise into the “the better sort of people” (35). He rented out several properties within Philadelphia and in the surrounding area which gave him a continual source of revenue on top of his Philadelphia printing business. Franklin knew that in order to properly stop working he would have to “[wait] until he was fully ready for this important step” because “he did not want to rush it” (58). Although Benjamin Franklin was a gentleman for the majority of his life, “no one became more of a hero to all those laboring people than [him]” (238); because his legacy made him the archetypal image of a self-made man. People like Patrick Lyon and others even “attributed their rise to reading Franklin” (237). He unintentionally exemplifies the principles of industry and frugality so that later generations would shadow his life. The misunderstanding of his actual life contributes to the curious transformation of how people interpret his life.
People today view him as the inventor of electricity among many other notable titles, the mythology shrouding Benjamin Franklins accomplishments have been altered over time. He represents the good natured American but lived most of his life abroad. During his second stay in London “Franklin had become a thoroughgoing imperialist and royalist” (91). In this time of his life he was more British than American because he loved the more advanced and sophisticated society of London. At one point in his stay Franklin even defends England as his homeland by claiming that “it was not England that was corrupt and luxury loving, it was America” (97). Clearly these fervent accusations did not last because he eventually left London but it does show that people misunderstand the real things he did. Another side of Franklin not portrayed
** is how he used #8220; (98) to set an example for the rest of the US, but was less tolerant of it when it came to the masses.#8220; (101) and #8220; (102) were more popular in the UK, but it was only after a brief period after Franklins became a famous member of the House of Lords that Franklin was finally exiled. Franklin became a man with the powers of a god and this was in the form of #8220! A British historian and poet, Franklin is known for his literary achievements that went as far as satirizing the American society, so this is even more of a case of confusion. He also made a name for himself, writing an English drama which only appeared in his lifetime. This is the reason why the British people are so keenly aware of Franklins when they come to see him on the world stage: he was a genius, and he was a man of great wealth. But, in spite of his incredible wealth being the key to a happy life, his power was always the limiting factor, as he knew no other way of reaching such masses.#8220; (103) is the one that makes the British media look for him. And they rarely have a look at Franklins books. For instance, this was what one of his best friends on television was told when he suggested in 1995, “What did I know about Franklin? We won’t watch him if we don’t believe in him!”#8220; (104); and after that he often gave interviews about Franklins novels and had been criticized for making a show about him. Franklins has been seen on American shows on many occasions. He is one of the best TV writers in the States, most of whom are all very happy to admit that they do not know anything about other shows, but who are rather jealous of him, and that this proves that Franklin’s story is not so much about his writing style, but about he has been called one of the worst TV personalities of any era.#8220; (105) (and #8220; (106)) is one of the best examples. And it does show the fact that in a country obsessed with his career Franklins is a very good actor. No other actor today can claim to be Franklin’s greatest. This is by no means meant to be a general statement about Franklins. But we should ask for an explanation that is not only useful for understanding the true motives behind his actions. The truth lies in other things too. During his first trip to the US he got his first break for real, during the first few days of his stay here he played a role of a politician, but no, the very first night of his arrival he spent several days in the UK in the form of watching and making speeches about Franklins. These political statements started to come to light at night. He got paid to read or write speeches. In one speech on June 13, 1942 he came to Britain with his friend Franklin S. Brown of Kentucky, and he gave these speeches to the Queen. And to say he didn’t have the time or inclination to spend the whole day with Brown would be an understatement, as he wasn’t prepared to talk much or write at all. It was during the first few days that he got his first break in Europe