Chapter 3

Question 1

Autobiography

Answer 1

desire to provide a record of the circumstances of my life

Question 2

Benjamin Franklin could not accept this principle of religion

Answer 2

Jesus Christ lived, died and was resurrected

Question 3

Virtue emphasized in B Franklin’s plan for moral perfection

Answer 3

Cleanliness

Question 4

Benjamin Franklin lived in what century?

Answer 4

Eighteenth (1706-1790)

Question 5

Franklin was born 3 yrs. after this famous preacher

Answer 5

Jonathan Edwards

Question 6

Although he was a scientist, inventor, educator, statesman, and much more, he was first and foremost a what?

Answer 6

Printer

Question 7

Puritan examination of the world began with ____. Franklin’s began with _______.

Answer 7

Puritan=God

Ben Franklin=Man

Question 8

What Puritan value did Franklin retain?

Answer 8

Hard-work

Question 9

Franklin’s “The Autobiography” began as a letter to ?

Answer 9

His son

Question 10

What major event interrupted Franklin’s writing of “The Autobiography”?

Answer 10

The Revolutionary War

Question 11

Why was Franklin estranged from his son?

Answer 11

Political differences

Question 12

Define felicity

Answer 12

Happiness

Question 13

What did Franklin spend his money on as a child?

Answer 13

Books

Question 14

This was the principal means of Franklin’s advancement early on in his life.

Answer 14

Prose Writing

Question 15

Define Prose

Answer 15

A form of language that has no formal metrical structure. It applies a natural flow of speech, and ordinary grammatical structure rather than rhythmic structure, such as in the case of traditional poetry. Normal every day speech is spoken in prose and most people think and write in prose form. Prose comprises of full grammatical sentences which consist of paragraphs and forgoes aesthetic appeal in favor of clear, straightforward language. It can be said to be the most reflective of conversational speech. Some works of prose do have versification and a blend of the two formats that is called prose poetry.

Question 16

In Franklin’s Autobiography, “Learning to Write”, his father pointed out his son’s strengths. Name the two strengths.

Answer 16

Spelling and Punctuation

Question 17

In Franklin’s Autobiography, “Learning to Write”, his father pointed out his son’s weaknesses. Name the thee weaknesses.

Answer 17

Logic, Clarity, & Eloquence

Question 18

In Franklin’s Autobiography, “Learning to Write”, what odd volume did Franklin read over and over, which inspired him to imitate this excellent writing?

Answer 18

“Spectator”

Question 19

Having no teacher after the 3rd grade, how did Franklin learn to write?

Answer 19

Without looking at the book, tried to write his on sentiments. Then compared his writings with that of the Spectator. He discovered his mistakes and corrected them.

Question 20

Having run away from Boston, believing his apprenticeship with his brother unfair, Franklin arrived where?

Answer 20

Philadelphia

Question 21

Franklin arrived in Philadelphia tired, poor, and ignorant, yet he actually passed by the door of Mr. Read. How does he come to know Mr. Read?

Answer 21

His future wife’s father.

Question 22

What changes did Franklin note in those who heard the Rev. George Whitefield’s preaching?

Answer 22

They went from being indifferent toward spiritual things to being religious and even signing psalms with their families at night.

Question 23

What change of attitude did Franklin himself experience during the course of one of Whitefield’s sermons?

Answer 23

Franklin determined not to give anything in the offering but, upon hearing Whitefield’s orations, ended up giving all of his money.

Question 24

What was the nature and duration of Franklin’s personal relationship to George Whitefield?

Answer 24

Franklin printed Whitefield’s journals & sermons. The men had a “mere civil friendship, sincere on both sides, and lasted to his [Whitefield’s] death.”

Question 25

What creature does Franklin suggest the colonies send back to Britain?

Answer 25

A rattlesnake

Question 26

What type of literary essay is “Exporting of Felons to the Colonies”?

Answer 26

Political Satire & Irony

Question 27

Define Satire

Answer 27

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

Question 28

Define Irony

Answer 28

the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Sarcasm

Question 29

P. 108 “Our Mother knows what is best for us” is what type of statement and why?

Answer 29

Satirical statement. Franklin is discussing negative elements that no mother would ever expose her child to. Also, the term Mother is a pun off of Britain’s name of “Mother England.”

Question 30

Although “Letter to Ezra Stiles” is itself calm and straightforward, to the Christian it is one of the saddest works in text. Why?

Answer 30

He doubted Christ’s divinity. This man, who was gifted with an inquiring mind and who had accumulated so much knowledge and wisdom, did not trouble to study this eternally important topic. He had no fear of his disbelief.

Question 31

Even in early America, there were those who accepted God’s truth and those who rejected it. Discuss the differences between Franklin and Edwards.

Answer 31

Education: Franklin: self-taught, Edwards: Yale at 13
Differences: view of their Creator, themselves (families, personalities, attitudes, goals, achievements), and the world around them.