Benjamin Franklin: Self-Invention and Public Image
Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography explores his process of self-invention. In his autobiography, Franklin details his efforts to carve a path through life using personal discipline and dedication. However, throughout his writing one can see that while Franklin develops a set of goals and characteristics to achieve affluence and success, he also concerns himself with building a public image as a vehicle for fulfilling his goals. Franklin strives to cultivate an outward appearance that exudes intellect, commitment, and potential by establishing himself as a modest and virtuous individual to his peers and the public. With consistent modesty, strong work ethic, and committed temperance Franklin accumulates the confidence of the public in himself as a printer. Ultimately, Franklin believes that by appealing to his public audience he can use the favorable reputation as a means to obtain wealth and fame.
Franklin’s attention to his audience was evident in adolescence when he devised his style of argumentation to create a modest image. The humility serves as a way to appeal to his audience, the opponents in a debate. In particular, Franklin avoided fierce contradictions and phrases of certainty but rather adopted the style of a “humble Enquirer and Doubter” (240). Primarily, Franklin wanted to maintain a façade of “modest Diffidence” when arguing with his peers (241). The desire to establish humility shows Franklin’s concern in building a favorable image. By avoiding “abrupt contradiction and positive Argumentation,” Franklin convinced others while remaining in an agreeable light. He asserted that although a person may have firm beliefs, the forceful expression of one’s opinions may often create opposition rather than overcome it (241). With a humble manner of expression, Franklin found it to his advantage in that he could draw “People even of superior Knowledge into Concessions the Consequences of which they did not...
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