文学lecture1BenjaminFranklin(245KB).ppt

The Writing of the Book In 1771, at the age of 65, Benjamin Franklin sat down to write his autobiography. The work took about 20 years, from 1771 to 1790. The account is written in four parts, reflecting his life in the different periods. Part One written in 1771 in England, covering the stories of the first 25 years in his life, such as his short schooling, his apprenticeship, the development of his printing business and his marriage etc. Part Two written in 1784 at Passy, a suburb of Paris, giving a more detailed account of his activities in public affairs. He then discusses his bold and arduous Project of arriving at moral Perfection, listing thirteen virtues he wishes to perfect in himself. Part Three (1788), Part Four ( 1789-1790 ) finished in Philadelphia, describing his life from the age of 25 to 51. It is an incomplete autobiography. The style of the Autobiography It is the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision. The narrative is lucid, the structure is simple, the imagery is homely.  Questions 1.Why did Franklin write his Autobiography? Franklin says that because his son may wish to know about his life, he is taking his one week vacation in the English countryside to record his past. He also says that he has enjoyed his life and would like to repeat it 2.What made Franklin decide to leave the brother to whom he had been apprenticed? His brother was passionate, and had often beaten him. The aversion to arbitrary power that has stuck to him through his whole life. After a brush with the law, Franklin left his brother. 3.How did he arrive in Philadelphia? First he set out in a boat for Amboy, the boat dropped him off about 50 miles from Burlington. The next day he reached Burlington on foot, and in Burlington he found a boat which was going towards Philadelphia. He arrived there about eight or nine o’clock, on the Sunday morning and landed at the Market Street wharf. 4.What features do you find in the style of the above se