Benjamin Franklin 课件概要1.pptVIP

美国文学选读二 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. He retired from active business at 42 to engage whole-heartedly in politics and science. He helped to draft The Declaration of Independence (1776), was ambassador to France (1776-1785) and took part in the peace negotiations (1781-1783) at the end of the War of American Independence. He won a worldwide reputation for his scientific work and inventions, including the lightning conductor. II The War of Independence The policy of the British government was to bring the development under control and to collect more taxes from the colonies. In order to finance a large army stationed in America, the British government put into effect the Stamp Tax. The people in the colonies opposed the unfair treatment. On April 19,1775, the War of Independence began. In September, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed. Britain recognized the independence of the United States.. III. The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Analyze The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was probably the first of its kind in literature. The book consists of four parts, written at different times. The Autobiography is, first of all, a Puritan document. A look at the style of The Autobiography will reveal that it is the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness and concision （简洁）. IV These names of virtues, with their precepts, were:(富兰克林的十三项美德修养) 1 Temperance Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation (节制 食不过饱，饮酒不醉。) 2 Silence Speak not but what may benefit oth