I. Introduction to author
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a rare genius in human history. He became everything: a printer, postmaster, almanac maker, essayist, scientist, inventor, orator, statesman, philosopher, political economist, ambassador,—“Jack of all trades.”
1.Life
He was born into a poor family. He was a voracious reader. At 16 he published essays under the pseudonym Silence Dogood. At 17 he ran away to Philadelphia to make his own fortune. He became a printer. He helped found the Pennsylvania Hospital, an academy which led to the University of Pennsylvania, and the American Philosophical Society. He was a preeminent scientist of his day. He signed the Declaration of Independence. He was one of the makers of the new nation.
2.Major works
Poor Richard’s Almanac
The Autobiography
II. Selected works
◆The Autobiography
1.Main content
It depicted the background of Benjamin Franklin, including his studying in his young age and his experiences of work. And his achievement in politics, science and economy were also mentioned in this book.
There are four parts in this book. The first part is the experiences of his first 25years of his life. The second part, written in Paris, is the accomplishments on science and the cause of public affairs. The third and fourth part, written in Philadelphia, is the record of his life from 25 to 51-year-old.
2.Comments
⑴ The Autobiography was probably the first of its kind in literature. It is 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 American’s first self-made man. 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. Through telling a success story of self-reliance, the book celebrates the fulfillment of the American dream.
⑵The Autobiography is also an eloquent elucidation of the fact that Franklin was a spokesman for the new order of eighteenth-century enlightenment. It is also a Puritan document. It is a record of self-examination and self-improvement. The book is also a convincing illustration of the Puritan ethic that, in order to get on in the world, one has to be industrial, frugal and prudent.
⑶ The style of The Autobiography reveals that it is the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness and concision.
| I．作者简介
富兰克林是人类历史上少有的天才。他是出版家、邮政总长、历书作者、散文家、科学家、发明家、演说家、政治家、哲学家、政治经济学家、大使、业务员等等。
1．生平
富兰克林出生于一个贫穷的家庭。他非常勤奋好学。16岁时开始以笔名“静行善”发表评论文章。17岁时只身逃往费城谋生。后成为出版商。他帮助建立了宾夕法尼亚大学的前身——宾夕法尼亚医学院和北美哲学学会。他也是当时著名的科学家。他签署过《独立宣言》。他是美国的缔造者之一。
2．主要作品
《穷查理历书》
《自传》
II．选读作品
◆《自传》
1．主要内容
这本书主要记叙了本杰明的成长经历，包括年幼时读书还有工作经历。书中也讲述了他在政治、科学及经济领域取得的成就。
本书共有四部分。第一部分讲述了他一生前25年的经历。第二部分写于巴黎，侧重描写在科学上的成就及他所从事的公共事业。第三四两部分写于费城，先后记叙了他从25岁至51岁的生活。
2．赏析
（1）《自传》是自传体文学中的上乘佳作。它简明而极其引人入胜地叙述了富兰克林由穷苦卑微而跃至富有、闻名的故事。它忠实地记录了美国第一位自力更生者光辉灿烂的职业生涯。他代表着，在美国，人本质是善良自由的，拥有上帝赋予的不可剥夺的自由及追求幸福的权力。该书通过讲述自力更生而获取成功的故事，歌颂了美国梦的实现。
（2）《自传》充分说明了富兰克林是18世纪美国启蒙运动的代言人。这也是一本清教文献。它记录了清教徒的自我反省和自我完善。它也是清教道德原则的最好说明，为了取得成功，人必须勤劳、简朴、谨慎。
（3）《自传》的文体体现出清教徒朴素、直爽、简洁的风格。
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