Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Franklin focuses on the use of language, specifically with debating and writing, throughout his autobiography. How does Franklin’s writing style affect the reading experience, and how does it reflect the content of the text? What rhetorical and/or literary devices does he use?

Franklin often emphasizes the role of his 13 virtues in his life and self-development. What do these 13 virtues reveal about Franklin’s personal values and moral assumptions? In what way do various incidents in his life conform to, or diverge from, these virtues?

Research some of the social and political developments in the American colonies in the years leading up to the Revolution. How does Franklin’s Autobiography describe or reflect some of these trends? What insights does Franklin’s text provide into the development of American identity and society at this time?