The-Autobiographyof-Benjamin-Franklin.ppt

1、The Autobiography of,Benjamim Franklin,The First Paragraph,DEAR SON: I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors. You may remember the inquiries I made among the remains of my relations when you were with me in England, and the journey I undertook for that purpose. Ima

2、gining it may be equally agreeable to you to know the circumstances of my life, many of which you are yet unacquainted with, and expecting the enjoyment of a weeks uninterrupted leisure in my present country retirement, I sit down to write them for you.,To which I have besides some other inducements

3、. Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through life with a considerable share of felicity, the conducing means I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succe

4、eded, my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be imitated.,Who is the audience? From the first paragraph, we see that his son, William Franklin is the audience. The opening of the book seems to be set as a family history. Th

5、e father wants to tell his life and even their ancestors life to the son.,Divide the book,The total autobiography is divided into three parts. 1. Benjamin Franklins early memories and experiences. 2.designed to educate people using Benjamin Franklin as a model 3.American history before the Revolutio

6、n. People at the same age with B. J.,Explanation,B. F is a representative of Enlightment in America. His book and style are influenced by the theme of this movement. Education. Not only in the first paragraph. Sharing experiences and thoughts. Improvement of the well-being of more people. (Utilitari

7、anism),How He Started the Table,B.F did lots of reading and found that people defined virtues differently. He decided to make his own virtue form. I proposd to myself, for the sake of clearness, to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annexd to each, than a few names with more ideas. He included

8、13 names of virtues. These are more clarified, and express B.Js meanings.,The Table of Virtues,These names of virtues, with their precepts, were: 1. 節(jié)制TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2. 沉默寡言SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversati

9、on. 3. 生活秩序ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.,4. 決心RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 5. 簡(jiǎn)樸FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. 6. 勤勉INDUSTRY.

10、Lose no time; be always employd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.,7. 誠(chéng)懇SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. 8. 公正JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty. 9. 中庸MODERATION. Av

11、oid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.,10. 清潔CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation. 11. 鎮(zhèn)靜TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 12. 貞潔CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspr

12、ing, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or anothers peace or reputation.(Puritanism: little recreation, plain in life) 13. 謙虛HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates蘇格拉底.,Enlightment,Qualified pioneer of the An Age of Reason B.F is strict with himself. He also tries to spread these vi

13、rtues. One shouldnt live without any restrictions. B.F designed a table to make sure he was being better, more moral, more rational.,How to Use the Table,During one week, if he did something against one of the specific virtue, he would mark a black spot in the colum. After a week, B.F could see what he disobeyed and when it happened. To make it more effective, he paied great attention to only one virtue, others ordinary. It is not a one-day work. He determined to do so.,C