Conflation of the Autobiographical and The political in Franklin's Autobiography

Abstract

This research is concerned with the blending of the narrator's private experiences with the political concerns and expectations of Benjamin's time. This issue is examined in the light of theoretical insights of Peter Brown, George Gusdorf, and Jacques Derrida concerning autobiography and life narratives. The narrator writes in such a way that what is personal is reflective of the political. His thirteen virtues are reflective of how the eighteen century Americans followed with the view to transforming their threat-ridden lives into the Promised Land. The personal voice that dominates the entire autobiography is expressive of political suggestions, implications and messages.

The narrator makes personal assertions regarding puritanism, empirical search for knowledge, entrepreneurship, religious tolerance and the idea of the Promised Land. These assertions are stepping stone in taking out the political interpretations. The two were avid readers and practiced their social and debating skills, working their way into a class of intellectuals. Collins and Franklin developed a whole club of readers to join them in intelligent social conversation regularly. As Ben matured, he made friendly acquaintances with everyone within his reach, collecting contacts that may prove beneficial for a later purpose. He made friends with governors, businessmen, preachers. This study yields the finding that only by maintaining the balance between the subjective and the objective, the personal and the political, enduring peace, prosperity and harmony can be achieve.