Readings:
Benjamin Franklin (204-207) and his Autobiography (221-222, 272-284).
Readings:
Benjamin Franklin (204-207) and his Autobiography (221-222, 272-284).
Videos:Youtube
“The Great Awakening”
“God in America: A New Adam”
“Spirit of Nationalism.”
“Spirit of Nationalism.” (Specifically the section titled “Preserving Virtue”)
Instructions
This assignment counts as a literary journal response grade.
MLA CITED.
In his Autobiography, Franklin shows how he, in true Age of Reason style, tried to improve himself. If you will remember, he chose thirteen virtues and set about to integrate them more completely in his life. I do not ask you try for thirteen, but I would like for you to try for two.
First, choose two virtues from Franklin’s list that you want to re-examine in your own persona life. Secondly, give a short, modern definition for each in Franklin-style – “which fully express’d the Extent I gave to its meaning” (Franklin). Third, try to work on these two virtues. In the form of a private journal/diary with date notations (used frequently in this time period), briefly document your successes and frustrations. You will want to note specific ways you tried to improve in your journal entries. Finally, write a separate section detailing whether or not you gained success in this endeavor and why you think so. It should be at least one typed page (double-spaced) in length. No outside sources are required!
So, you will include the following:
Choose two virtues
Give a short, modern definition for each
Create a diary (at least seven entries total)
Briefly document your successes and frustrations within the diary entries.
Write about specific ways you tried to improve in the diary entries.
Write a separate section detailing whether or not you gained success
