Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1791

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Key Figures

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Errata

Errata, which refers to an error in printing, is a motif Franklin employs to embody the major mistakes of his life. It also serves as a motif for an opportunity of embracing The Importance of Self-Improvement. At each point that Franklin discusses one of his deemed mistakes, he tends to either revisit that erratum or tells his reader how he moved forward from it.

For example, Franklin breaks his apprenticeship contract with his brother in Part 1—an event he calls the first “Errata”—but he believes he made amends for this by adopting his nephew after his brother’s death in Part 3: “Thus it was that I made my Brother ample Amends for the Service I had depriv’d him by leaving him so early” (96). In this moment, Franklin’s emphasis on his determination to correct his mistakes relates to his constant desire to better himself in all areas of life. Franklin’s text consistently urges his reader to look at ways to enhance oneself as an individual, so he offers an account of his mistakes and corrections to serve as an example for his reader to follow.

Vernon’s Money

When Franklin is entrusted with Vernon’s money, he either spends or lends it to other people: This symbolizes his youthful fallibility and impulsive tendencies. While Franklin promises Vernon to hold onto the money for him and keep it safe, he instead chooses to spend the money how he sees fit, which diverges from many of the virtues he goes on to later discuss. Franklin regrets breaking his promise to Vernon, admitting that some of the money fueled a friend’s unhealthy alcohol dependency. At the same time, by acknowledging his shortcomings, he makes space for improvement in his life, once again invoking The Importance of Self-Improvement.

The Library

Franklin’s development of the library symbolizes his passion for knowledge and civic service, reflecting the theme of The Role of Enlightenment Values in Franklin’s life. As a child, Franklin develops a passion for reading and learning, which then advances to his study of the Socratic method. During his time as his brother’s apprentice, Franklin studies the writings of Locke and other influential figures during the Age of Enlightenment. With this knowledge, Franklin firmly believes that if one desires “Information and Improvement from the Knowledge of others and yet at the same time [to] express [oneself]” (22), then they must work towards educating themselves. His establishment of a subscription library allows for a physical space for the common person to educate themselves and have access to resources they would otherwise not be able to obtain.

Not only does the establishment of the library symbolize Franklin’s passion for education, but it also represents his emphasis on collaboration. He works with the Junto club members to establish this library, and, after trial and error, they develop a plan that will both work and grant easy access to information. The library thus symbolizes the power of knowledge in serving both individuals and communities.