Benjamin Franklins Autobiography the Role of Keimer Essay

In Benjamin Franklins Autobiography, Samuel Keimer is a character who represents the antithesis of Franklin. The development of Keimer not only improves the readers understanding of the minor character, but also of Franklin, the major character. Franklin makes a point of showing the reader each of Keimers faults and contrasting them with his own merits.brbrWhen Keimer is first introduced to the reader, he is in very much the same circumstances as Franklin; they are two young men trying to make a fresh start in a new town, the only difference being Keimers economic, and thereby social, advantage. In comparison to Franklin, however, Keimer is a flawed and immoral man; this difference is what makes him the ideal model for Franklin to†¦show more content†¦Franklin, however, eats and drinks little and often goes on vegetarian diets; he has been quoted as saying, Eat to live, and not live to eat.2 Also, when Franklin resolves to do something, he always follows up and does it, incl uding his resolutions to start his own printing house, to become a morally perfect person, and to correct his errata. brbrThe second virtue is Silence; Franklin has many opportunities to speak libelously against others, especially against Keimer, but often chooses not to, except against certain political issues published anonymously. Keimer chooses to use the scene outside of the courthouse as a medium to emphasize his superior position in their relationship; it is Keimers complete disregard for this value that leads to Franklins resignation. Keimer also has trouble with the third of Franklins virtues, Order, as Hugh Meredith reminds Franklin that Keimer was in debt for all he possessd, that his Creditors began to be uneasy, that he kept his Shop miserably, sold often without Profit for ready Money, and often trusted without keeping Account. That he must therefore fail (BFA 44).brbrThe sixth virtue, Industry, is of tremendous importance to Franklins success; he states repeatedly tha t time should never be wasted: I never went out a-fishing or shooting (BFA 54).Show MoreRelated Benjamin Franklins Autobiography Essay1124 Words   |  5 Pages In Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, Samuel Keimer is a character who represents the antithesis of Franklin. The development of Keimer not only improves the reader’s understanding of the minor character, but also of Franklin, the major character. Franklin makes a point of showing the reader each of Keimer’s faults and contrasting them with his own merits.When Keimer is first introduced to the reader, he is in very much the same circumstances as Franklin; they are two young men trying to make aRead MoreAnalysis Of Benjamin Franklin s The Greatest Founding Fathers 1761 Words   |  8 PagesTop of Form Benjamin Franklin There is no doubt that Benjamin Franklin is one of the greatest Founding Fathers, if not one of the greatest Americans ever to have lived. Franklin racked up numerous accolades throughout his 84 year life span and is also the only Founding Father to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, and the United States Constitution. As a man who came from humble beginnings, Franklin is the embodiment of a â€Å"self-made man.† An incredibly drivenRead More Herman Melvilles Bartleby, the Scrivener Essay3521 Words   |  15 Pageselemen ts of the story, claiming the character of Bartleby as a Christ-figure, and as such carries out the role of a redeemer.1 The story, however, is not Bartlebys, but rather the narrators. Bartleby is simultaneously a biography about a scriven er and an autobiography about an entrepreneur, and Melville uses this narrative to attack the mythology previous autobiographers such as Benjamin Franklin created concerning the ar chetypal, self-made American man -- the new sons of Adam. For Melville,