美国文学概述Lecture 2 Benjamin Franklin
美国文学W2introduction..
Writings began to flourish on every side. A large number of writers sprang up in a short time. They began to write all kinds of material; poetry, essays, plays, fiction, history, works of travel, and biography. Very little of this work has any lasting literary value. It lacked real artistic genius. It lacked universality of
There are four main reasons why there was very little written in English in North America before the Revolutionary War. First, Great Britain discouraged the printing of books in her colonies at that time. She wished the colonies to maintain farms, and to produde raw materials. She wished manufacturing of all types
American literature is the youngest of all national literatures. Although the continent of North America was discovered over hundreds of years, the writing of literature in the U.S did not begin until the end of the Revolutioary War. English literture in the United States is therefore only about 200 more years old. In spite of this fact the people of the U.S have produced some of the world’s best literature.
美国文学史Benjamin Franklin
5) He set himself up as an independent printer and publisher, found the Junto Club and subscription library, issued the immensely popular Poor Richard’s Almanac. 6) Retired around forty-two, he did what was to him a great happiness: read, make scientific experiments and do good to his fellowmen. He helped to find the Pennsylvania Hospital, an academy which led to the University of Pennsylvania, and the American Philosophical Society. 7) At the same time he did a lot of famous experiments and invented many things such as volunteer fire departments, effective street lighting, the Franklin Stove, bifocal glasses, efficient heating devices, lightning-rod and so on.
2) a. b.
c. d.
Hale Waihona Puke e.Autobiography It is perhaps the first real post-revolutionary American writing as well as the first real autobiography in English. It gives us the simple yet immensely fascinating record of a man rising to wealth and fame from a state of poverty and obscurity into which he was born, the faithful account of the colorful career of America’s first self-made man. First of all, it is a puritan document. The most famous section describes his scientific scheme of self-examination and selfimprovement. It is also an eloquent elucidation of the fact that Franklin was spokesman for the new order of eighteenth century enlightenment, and that he represented in America all its ideas, that man is basically good and free, by nature endowed by God with certain inalienable rights of liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision. The plainness of its style, the homeliness of imagery, the simplicity of diction, syntax and expression are some of the salient features we cannot mistake.
美国文学 本杰明富兰克林
The 13 Virtues of Benjamin Franklin from Chapter Two
1. Temperance. Eat not to Dulness. Drink not to Elavation. 2. Silence Speak not but what may benefit others or your self. Avoid trifling Conversation. 3. Order. Let all your Things have thier Places. Let each Part of your Business have its Time. 4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
writer inventor
scientist
one of the founding fathers of the United States
politician
diplomat
Epitaph
印刷商，B·富兰克林 的躯体， 就像一本旧书的封面， 没有了内容， 字迹斑驳，镀金脱落， 躺在这里，成为蠕虫 的食物。 但是他的工作成果不 会丢失： 就像他所期待，所相 信的那样，再次出现。 以新的更完美的版本， 更正和修订。
His Life-story Legendary
A Born Improver
the first charity hospital
fathered the first subscription library
the first volunteer fire department
美国文学Lecture 2
4.The style of the Book It is the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision. The style is plain, the imagery is homely, and the diction, syntax, and expression are all very simple.
Franklin was spokesman for the 18th c. Enlightenment, who believed that man is basically good and free, by nature endowed by God with certain inalienable rights of liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The book demonstrates Franklin’s confident belief that the new world of America was a land of opportunities which might be met through hard work and wise management…. the fulfillment of the American dream.
4. Writers of this period: Thomas Paine: Common Sense Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Franklin: Representative of the Enlightenment, Works: Poor Richards Almanac; Autobiography
美国文学概述Lecture2BenjaminFranklin
美国文学概述Lecture2BenjaminFranklinBenjamin Franklin (1706-1790)Social Background●freedom from restraint;●age of revolutions●experimentation in science;●the presence of the frontier;●growth in nationalism;●growth in materialism;●the age of the gifted amateur;●belief in progressivism.●His life:Born into a poor candle makers family; the 15th of his father’s 17childrenHad very little formal educationWas apprenticed to his older brother at 12Ran away to Philadelphia to make his own fortune at 17A printer, postmaster, almanac maker, essayist, scientist, orator, statesman,philosopher, political economist, ambassadorThe only American to sign the four documents that created the USOne of the makers of the new nation●Poor Richard’s Almanac:containing witty maxims for achieving wealth as a result of hard work and thrift.●“Lost time is never found again.”“A penny saved is a penny earned.”“God help them that help themselves.”“Earl y to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin☆A record of a man rising to wealth and fame from a state of poverty and obscurity.☆The book demonstrates Franklin’s confident belief that the new world of American was a land of opportunities which might be met through hard work and wise management.☆The book celebrates the fulfillment of the American dream.☆It is a Puritan document of self-examination and self-improvement.☆The spirit of self-reliance, originating from Puritan ethics, bloomed in the next century into Emerson’s Transcendentalism.●Franklin's Autobiography has received widespread praise, both for its historical value as arecord of American’s first self-made man and for its literary style.●It follows the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision. (the plainness of itsstyle, the homeliness of imagery, the simplicity of diction, syntax and expression)●It is often considered the first American book to be taken seriously by Europeans asliterature.●William Dean Howells asserted that "Franklin's is one of the greatest autobiographies inliterature, and towers over other autobiographies as Franklin towered over other men."“To His So n”●The Autobiography opens with a sal utation to Ben Franklinson, William Franklin, who atthe time was the royal governor of New Jersey.●Franklin is writing in the summer of 1771 on vacation in a small town about 50 milessouth of London.Why did Franklin write his Autobiography?●He assumes that his son might be interested in knowing the circumstances of his life.●He claims to write so that his own life may be an example for his son of how one can livewell and how one can get through hardships.●He has enjoyed his life and would lik e to repeat it. But since he cannot repeat life, he caninstead recollect it.●He admits that he wants to gratify his own vanity.●His motive for writing, as well as Franklin's mention of correcting some errors were he torelive his life, both indicate Franklin's constant interest in self-improvement. This is perhaps the most important theme in the Autobiography.A Summary of “T o His Son”:●Franklin says that he is taking his one week vacation in the English countryside to recordhis past for his son.●He s tates his motives for writing his autobiography.●He thanks God for allowing him to live a good life.“The Arrival in Philadelphia”Ben and his brother:●Ben and James, often fought over trifling matters.●When James was jailed for political reasons, Ben h ad thechance to take over thenewspaper briefly,●Ben held the job in name even after James was released under the stipulation that Jamescould no longer work on the paper.●After another fight with James, Ben suddenly broke his contract and quit his job.●James immediately instructed the other printers in Boston not to hire his brother, and as aresult, Ben realizes that he would have to travel to a different city if he wished to find work.One of His First Errata●Franklin mentions his "first errata," wh en he quits his job with his brother.●His mention of his errors blends in well with the overall theme of self-improvement.●He wants to make it clear that he has never acted perfectly in all situations, and he wishesto indicate that he recognizes the mistakes he has made during his life.●He also points them out as a means of showing humility.A Summary of “The Arrival in Philadelphia”●At age 17, he secretly leaves home and traveled to New York City. He finds no workthere , but learns that he could get a job in Philadelphia.●His journey to Philadelphia is eventful as he gets caught ina storm, during which hesaved the life of a drunken Dutchman.●The boat dropped him off near Burlington, about 18 miles from Philadelphia.●He finally arrived in the c ity in the Market Street Wharf witha ridiculous appearance.His List of Virtues1. Temperance2. Silence3. Order4. Resolution5. Frugality6. Industry7. Sincerity8. Justice9. Moderation10. Cleanliness11. Tranquility12. Chastity13. HumilityQuestions:●Please comment on Benjamin Franklin and his autobiography.●Why did he write his autobiography?●Why and how did he go to Philadelphia?。
lecture 2 Benjamin Franlin
Early life of Ben
• School : Boston Latin school, but ended his schooling at 10. • Apprenticed to his brother to learn printing at 12. • Became a popular correspondent at 15 • Married to Deborah Read at 17
Death
• Franklin died on April 17, 1790, at age 84. Approximately 20,000 people attended his funeral. He was interred in Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.
Lecture 2
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
★the Representative of American
Enlightenment
Franklin’s Kite Experiment
★God
help those who help themselves. --B. Franklin
• His Contributions to Science
a. Inventions : Franklin stove, effective street lighting, bifocal glasses, a miniature printing press etc and for his lightning-rod, he was called “the new Prometheus who had stolen fire from heaven.” c. The theories of electricity; first applied the terms “positive” and “negative” to electrical charges. d. He was one of the first men to study and map the Gulf Stream(墨西哥湾流) .
美国文学第二讲
Lecture Two Colonial America & Benjamin FranklinOutline•Historical Background and Ideology•Literature in Colonial Period•Representative Writers and Their Works•Benjamin FranklinBackground: Big Events of This period•1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the American continent.•1617, the first British colony was established in Jamestown, Virginia.•1620, Mayflower dropped anchor at Plymouth harbor.•1629, the puritans established the Massachusetts By Colony.•1776-1783, Independent War; the formation of a Federative bourgeois democratic republic---the United States of America.The earliest settlers of AmericaThe earliest settlers, included Dutch, Swedes, Germans, French, Spaniards, Italians, and Portuguese.All contributed to the forming of the American civilization, but the colonies that became the first United Stated were for the most part English sustained by English traditions, ruled by English laws, supported by English commerce, and named after English monarchs(君主) and English lands: Georgia, Crolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Y ork, New Hampshire, New England.American PuritanismThe puritansPuritans was the name given in the 16th century to the more extreme Protestants within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in reforming the doctrines and structure of the church; they wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of Catholic influence.In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.Calvinism•Calvinism is the doctrine of John Calvin, the great French theologian(神学者) who lived in Geneva. It’s a doctrine of predestination, original sin and total depravity, and limited atonement (or the salvation of a selected few) through a special infusion of grace from God.•Unconditional election: the idea that God had decreed who was damned and who was saved from before the beginning of the world.•无条件拣选：神没有任凭人在罪中灭亡，而是在创世以前就拣选了一群人施行拯救•Limited atonement: the idea that Christ died for the elect only.•有限救赎：基督的死只是为特定数目的选民而死•T otal depravity: humanity’s utter corruption since th e Fall•完全堕落：总从亚当偷吃善恶果后，整个人类都堕落了•Irresistible grace: regeneration as entirely a work of God, which cannot be resisted and to which the sinner contributes nothing.•不可抗拒的恩典：圣灵的能力在罪人心里运行，一直到他认罪悔改方休•The perseverance of the saints: the elect, despite their backsliding and faintness of heart, cannot fall away from grace.•圣徒的坚守：圣徒既是神所拣选的，无论他们如何退步，始终在神的感召下。
文学2-Benjamin Franklin
Philadelphia is remembered as the home of Ben Franklin） • No regular education
--- B. Franklin
America has never forgotten Benjamin Franklin because he did both.
Today, we honor Ben Franklin as one of the Founding Fathers and as one of America's greatest citizens.
• Influence on literature: • In form: imitating English classical（古典主义）
writers • In content: utilitarian tendency (for political or
educational purpose)
• 正直。不做不利他人之事，切勿忘记履 行对人有益的义务而伤害他人。
• 9.Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
• 中庸。勿走极端；受到应有的处罚，应 当加以容忍。
• July 4th, 1776, Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence
• 1778, alliance with France, turning point for American army, English army surrendered
Benjamin Franklin 课件
13 Humility Imitate Jesus and Socrates. (谦虚(qiānxū) 仿效耶稣和苏格拉底。)
精品PPT
精品PPT
精品PPT
精品PPT
精品PPT
2 Silence Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. (沉默 说话必须对别人或你自己有益(yǒuyì)；要避 免无益的聊天。)
精品PPT
3 Order Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. (生活秩序 将每一样东西放在它们应该放的地方； 每件日常事务应当有一定的时间(shíjiān)。)
Teaching Procedure:
精品PPT
I Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a printer, publisher, editor, postmaster, educator, economist, scientist, inventor, musician, man of letters(scholar or author), diplomat and statesman. He didn’t receive much formal education. At the age of 12, he was apprenticed to his brother, a printer, and at 16 took over the editorship of the paper New England Courant. At 17 he moved to Philadelphia and became sole owner of a printing firm.
美国文学（本杰明富兰克林）
美国文学（本杰明富兰克林）American literatureChapter 1 The Embryo of American Literature1、Benjamin FranklinA Brief Introduction of Benjamin FranklinFranklin was one of the leading founding fathers of the United States of America. He was a member of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence and was one of its signatories(签名人)。
He also signed the Constitution of the United States, and served as the new nation’s ablest diplomat. Franklin was also unequaled in America as an inventor until Thomas Edison. He invented the Franklin stove(火炉，窖，温室)，bifocal eyeglasses and the lightning rod.※BiographyBenjamin Franklin was born on January 17,1706 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the youngest child ,and tenth boy of 17 children. Franklin’s formal schooling ended early but his education never did. He believed that “the door to wisdom are never shut,” and read every book he could get his hands on. Franklin taught himself simple algebra and geometry ,navigation, logic, history, science, English grammar and a working knowledge of five other languages.Franklin had a simple formula for success. He believed that successful people worked just a little harder than other people. Benjamin Franklin certainly did. He built a successful printing and publishing business in Philadelphia; he conducted scientific studies of electricity and made several important discoveries; he was an accomplished diplomat and statesman; he helped establish Pennsylvania’s first university and America’s first cityhospital. He also organized the country’s first subscription library.Franklin had strong belief that good citizenship included an obligation of public service. Franklin himself served the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the new United States of America, in one way or the other, for most of his life. T o Benjamin Franklin there was no greater purpose in life than to“live usefully.”※The Works·Poor Richard’s Almanac.1733·The Way to Wealth,1758·Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin ，1791·Benjamin Franklin’s Thirteen Virtues1TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.2SIlENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.3ORDER.Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.4RESOLUTION.Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.5FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e.,waste nothing.6INDUSTRY.Lose no time;be always employeed in something useful; cut off all unneccessary actions.7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.9. MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes,or habitation.11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.※Selected ReadingToo Dear for the WhistleWhen I was a child of seven years old , my friends , on a holiday ,filled my pocket with coppers . I went at once to a shop where they sold toys for children . Being charmed with the sound of a whistle that I had seen by the way , in the hands of another boy , I handed over all my money for one . I then came home , went whistling all over house , much pleased with my whistle , but disturbing all my family .My brother and sister and cousins ,when I told of the bargain I had made,said I had given four times as much as the whistle was worth . They put me in mind of what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money, and laughed at me so much for my folly that I cried with vexation(n.苦恼，恼怒，令人烦恼的事) . Thinking about the matter gave me more chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure.This , however , was afterwards of use to me , for the impression continued on my mind . so that often , when I was tempted to buy something I do not need . I said to myself . “Don't give too much for the whistle ,”and I saved my money . As I grew up , came into the world，and observed the actions of men . I thought I met with many ,very many ,who “gave too much for the whistle .”When I saw some man too eager for cout favour, wasting histime at court getherings ,giving up his rest , his liberty ,his virtue, and perhaps his friends ,for royal favour , I said to myself “This man gives too much for the whistle.”When I saw another fond of popularity , constantly taking part in political affairs ,neglecting his own business ,and ruining it by neglect , “He pays , indeed ,”said I , “too dear for his whistle .”If I knew a miser（守财奴，吝啬鬼）who gave up every kind of comfortable living , all the pleasure of doing good to others , all the esteem of his fellow citizens and the joys of friendship , for the sake of gathering and keeping wealth —“Poor man.”said I , “you pay too dear for your whistle .”When I met a man of pleasure , who did not try to improve his mind or his fortune but merely devoted himself to having a good time ,perhaps neglecting his health ,“Mistaken man,”said I , “you are providing pain for yourself , instead of pleasure ; you are paying too dear for your whistle .”If I saw someone fond of appearance of who had fine clothes , fine houses , fine furniture , fine earrings , all above his fortune , and for which he had run into debt ,and ends his career in a prison .“Alas,”said I , “he has paid dear , very dear , for his whistle . ”In short the miseries of mankind are largely due to their putting a false value on things —to giving “too much for their whistles”.。
美国文学史 Benjamin franklin
❖ The autobiography tell us today what life was like in 18th country American.
❖ Franklin’s autobiography is also a reflection of 18th century idealism.
Philade About political advocations
lphia
13 virtues
❖ Temperance 节制 ❖ Silence 缄默 ❖ Order 条例 ❖ Resolution 决心 ❖ Frugality 节俭 ❖ Industry 勤奋 ❖ Sincerity 真诚 ❖ Justice 正义
❖ Moderation 适度 ❖ Cleanliness 整洁 ❖ Tranquility 平静 ❖ Chastity 纯洁 贞操 ❖ Humility 谦逊
Why are we still reading this book over 200 years after it was written?
❖Appeared from 1732—1758 and contained information that typical almanac would contain.
❖Many aphorisms and proverbs. (eg, action speak loud than words)
美国文学Benjamin_Franklin ppt课件
ppt课件
11
Autobiography (basic features)
➢ embodiment of Puritanism
✓ A Puritan document --it is a record of selfexamination(自我审视) and self-improvement ( 自我完善)
• God helps those who help themselves. • Speak little, do much. • Eat to live, and not live to eat. • Be slow in choosing a Friend, slower in
changing.
• 5. Frugality（节俭）. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
• 节俭。花钱须于人于己有益，即不浪费。
• 6. Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
ppt课件
8
• If you would be loved, love and be loveable.
• Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.
• Silence is not always a Sign of Wisdom. but Babbling is ever a Mark of Folly.
美国文学（2）——独立革命时期
美国独立革命时期的文学（一）独立革命时期的历史背景18世纪的美国经历了两场革命：一场是独立战争，这场革命诞生了一个新的国家，它对美国社会的影响超过了在此之前的任何事件；另一场革命就是启蒙运动。
这是一场知识革命，其理智精神激励着美国的知识界，将他们带入了一个新的思想境界，超越在此之前的清教主义的局限。
这两场运动产生了一大批政治和文学人物，如：本杰明·富兰克林、托马斯·潘恩、托马斯·杰弗逊等，他们的文学天赋使他们成为了政治领袖，也让文学成为了革命的一部分。
随着殖民地的不断扩大，欧洲各国在北美殖民地的矛盾冲突进一步激化。
哥伦布发现“新大陆”后，西班牙人首先在北美站稳了脚跟，进而占领了西印度群岛，1565年在弗罗里达建立了第一个殖民地。
法国占领了奎北克地区。
到了17世纪，法国人逐步深入到了大湖区和密西西比地区。
欧洲各国在商贸、交通等活动中矛盾重重，战争不可避免。
欧洲殖民者在新大陆的战争于17世纪末开始，经历了英法1689年的奥哥斯伯格联盟战争；1702—1713年的英国和西法联军的战争；1745—1748年间的奥地利继承权战争等一系列的战争，英国殖民者最终大获全胜。
战争的胜利使得英属北美殖民地的经济和军事实力进一步加强。
到了18世纪殖民地的人们纷纷提出要进一步团结起来的主张。
到1760—1776年间革命的团结的思想逐渐形成。
美国革命的原因即有政治方面的，也有经济方面的。
为进一步掠夺殖民地的资源，英国政府先后颁发了一系列有损于殖民地人民利益的法案。
航海和商业法伤害了北方殖民者的感情；1763年的山禁政策使广大殖民地人民感到不可容忍；1765年的印花税法更加激怒了十三个殖民地的人民；1767年的宅地法引起了人民的公开抵制。
1773年爆发了波士顿革命事件；1775年列克星敦的枪声标志着美国革命的开始。
美国人民向英国统治者打响了第一枪。
战争持续了6年，在华盛顿将军的带领下，在经历了一系列的挫折和失败之后，殖民地人民最终迎来了美国的独立。
美国文学——Benjamin Franklin课件
Benjamin Franklin and The
Autobiography
First of its kind in literature Writing when he was 65 An introduction of his life to his own son Including four parts written in different time Puritanism’s influence, such as self-examination and self-improvement (timetable, thirteen virtues, life style) Enlightenment spirits (man’s nature good, rights of liberty, virtues includes “order〞) Style: simple, clear in order, direct and concise (“Nothing should be expressed in two words that can as well be expressed in one.〞) (Puritanism’s influence) Popular, still well-read today, his values and style influenced lots of Americans
The End
Literary works
Poor Richard’s Almanac?穷查理的年历? Modeled on farmers’ annual calendar; kept publishing for many years; includes many classical sayings, such as “A penny saved is a penny earned.〞 The Autobiography:
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
2.That there is a future state of rewards and punishments.
3.That to love God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as thyself is the sum of religion. These are the great points on which he [Christ] endeavored to reform the religion of the Jews.
- Enlightenment is a form of rationalism, which produced new types of men, including scientists, political philosophers, religious rationalists. E.g. Newtonian ideas -- the general symbol of world outlook in Enlightenment thinking, which promulgate a humanist epistemology.
- A new image of God (different from Puritanism).
God is revealed in nature, not in the Bible.
- Deism by Thomas Jefferson:
The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.
lecture2-1
Review of Last Week(3)
4. The word “--① --”has been used to described the community of believers who sailed from Southampton England, on the “--②--” and settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. ①A. Puritans B. Pilgrims C. Separatists ②A. Sunflower B. Titanic C. Mayflower
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 allowed for the creation of as many as five states in the northwest portion of the Ohio Valley on lines originally laid out in 1784 by Thomas Jefferson. Known as The Northwest Territory, the new federal lands were east of the Mississippi, and between the Ohio River and the Great Lakes.
Expectations for SS
• Acquire the general idea about the literary current during the period of revolutionary America; Give your comments on --the person of B. Franklin; --the style of Autobiography; --under what circumstances, the Declaration of Independence was drafted.
本杰明·富兰克林PPT美国文学史
+ Franklin wrote many things during his lifetime:
articles for his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette（宾夕法尼亚公报）, letters about his life (later published as his Autobiography), letters on an amazingly wide range of subjects, including politics, science, libraries, even fire stations. + Sometimes he was humorous, but he always followed his own rule for writing: make it "smooth, clear and short."
品质：
节制（restrained）、沉默(silent)、 秩序(plan)、意志(strong-willed)、 节俭(thrifty)、产出(effective)、诚 恳(sincere)、公平(fair)、中道()整 洁(tidiness)、平静(calm)、洁身 (integrity)、谦逊(modest)
Nation:
1.He developed and improved the postal system , making it run at a profit after years of losses.(邮政系统) . 2.He supported and aided Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence(独立宣言). 3.He conducted the difficult negotiations with France that support for America in the war. 4.He was a delegate to the Convention that wrote the Constitution.
美国早期文学家-U02-Benjamin Franklin
美国文学导读
A Guide to American Literature
Unit 2 Benjamin Franklin
(January 17,1706–April 17,1790)
As the decades passed new generations of American–born writers became important. Boston, Massachusetts, was the birthplace of one such American–born writer. His name was Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; a noted polymath (博学的人), a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. He is a brilliant, industrious, and versatile man.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable (不知疲倦的,不屈不挠的,有耐性的) campaigning for colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies, then as the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation. Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos (民族 精神,气质,社会思潮) as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment ( 启迪 , 启蒙运动 , 教化 ) without its heat." To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."
- 1、下载文档前请自行甄别文档内容的完整性，平台不提供额外的编辑、内容补充、找答案等附加服务。
- 2、"仅部分预览"的文档,不可在线预览部分如存在完整性等问题,可反馈申请退款(可完整预览的文档不适用该条件!)。
- 3、如文档侵犯您的权益，请联系客服反馈,我们会尽快为您处理(人工客服工作时间：9:00-18:30)。
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)Social Background●freedom from restraint;●age of revolutions●experimentation in science;●the presence of the frontier;●growth in nationalism;●growth in materialism;●the age of the gifted amateur;●belief in progressivism.●His life:Born into a poor candle makers family; the 15th of his father’s 17childrenHad very little formal educationWas apprenticed to his older brother at 12Ran away to Philadelphia to make his own fortune at 17A printer, postmaster, almanac maker, essayist, scientist, orator, statesman,philosopher, political economist, ambassadorThe only American to sign the four documents that created the USOne of the makers of the new nation●Poor Richard’s Almanac:containing witty maxims for achieving wealth as a result of hard work and thrift.●“Lost time is never found again.”“A penny saved is a penny earned.”“God help them that help themselves.”“Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin☆A record of a man rising to wealth and fame from a state of poverty and obscurity.☆The book demonstrates Franklin’s confident belief that the new world of American was a land of opportunities which might be met through hard work and wise management.☆The book celebrates the fulfillment of the American dream.☆It is a Puritan document of self-examination and self-improvement.☆The spirit of self-reliance, originating from Puritan ethics, bloomed in the next century into Emerson’s Transcendentalism.●Franklin's Autobiography has received widespread praise, both for its historical value as arecord of American’s first self-made man and for its literary style.●It follows the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision. (the plainness of itsstyle, the homeliness of imagery, the simplicity of diction, syntax and expression)●It is often considered the first American book to be taken seriously by Europeans asliterature.●William Dean Howells asserted that "Franklin's is one of the greatest autobiographies inliterature, and towers over other autobiographies as Franklin towered over other men."“To His So n”●The Autobiography opens with a salutation to Ben Franklin son, William Franklin, who atthe time was the royal governor of New Jersey.●Franklin is writing in the summer of 1771 on vacation in a small town about 50 milessouth of London.Why did Franklin write his Autobiography?●He assumes that his son might be interested in knowing the circumstances of his life.●He claims to write so that his own life may be an example for his son of how one can livewell and how one can get through hardships.●He has enjoyed his life and would like to repeat it. But since he cannot repeat life, he caninstead recollect it.●He admits that he wants to gratify his own vanity.●His motive for writing, as well as Franklin's mention of correcting some errors were he torelive his life, both indicate Franklin's constant interest in self-improvement. This is perhaps the most important theme in the Autobiography.A Summary of “To His Son”:●Franklin says that he is taking his one week vacation in the English countryside to recordhis past for his son.●He states his motives for writing his autobiography.●He thanks God for allowing him to live a good life.“The Arrival in Philadelphia”Ben and his brother:●Ben and James, often fought over trifling matters.●When James was jailed for political reasons, Ben had the chance to take over thenewspaper briefly,●Ben held the job in name even after James was released under the stipulation that Jamescould no longer work on the paper.●After another fight with James, Ben suddenly broke his contract and quit his job.●James immediately instructed the other printers in Boston not to hire his brother, and as aresult, Ben realizes that he would have to travel to a different city if he wished to find work.One of His First Errata●Franklin mentions his "first errata," when he quits his job with his brother.●His mention of his errors blends in well with the overall theme of self-improvement.●He wants to make it clear that he has never acted perfectly in all situations, and he wishesto indicate that he recognizes the mistakes he has made during his life.●He also points them out as a means of showing humility.A Summary of “The Arrival in Philadelphia”●At age 17, he secretly leaves home and traveled to New York City. He finds no workthere , but learns that he could get a job in Philadelphia.●His journey to Philadelphia is eventful as he gets caught in a storm, during which hesaved the life of a drunken Dutchman.●The boat dropped him off near Burlington, about 18 miles from Philadelphia.●He finally arrived in the city in the Market Street Wharf with a ridiculous appearance.His List of Virtues1. Temperance2. Silence3. Order4. Resolution5. Frugality6. Industry7. Sincerity8. Justice9. Moderation10. Cleanliness11. Tranquility12. Chastity13. HumilityQuestions:●Please comment on Benjamin Franklin and his autobiography.●Why did he write his autobiography?●Why and how did he go to Philadelphia?。