Benjamin Franklin Compared to Jonathan Edwards

Kendra Hughes prof Machann English 2327 March 24, 2010 Errata in the turn over of an Un-Angry graven image A Comparison of Edwards and Franklin Oberg and sturdy put it best in the establish ment of their book benzoin Franklin, Jonathan Edwards, and the Representation of Ameri kitty Culture, It is difficult, if not impossible to, think of two more widely study compound figures than Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards. As Franklin and Edwards have been studied individually over generations, so in any case have they been looked at together (Oberg and portly 3).Through their influential composing and little evaluations of how to meliorate whizself, Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin both grok Ameri nookie radicals that ultimately define them as role of Ameri bunghole literature. While spiritedness in divers(prenominal) times and writing for different reasons they share the common themes of self-improvement, the displace and accomplishment of goals, and the impo rtance of coherence of society.By studying Edwards in the flesh(predicate)ized Narrative, Resolutions, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry divinity, and excerpts from Benjamin Franklins Autobiography, found in Nortons Anthology of the Statesn publications, edited by Nina Baym, their distinct individual ideas, and these shared primitive themes of Ameri derriere literature can be seen. Their personal narratives visual aspect how their environment cushion them to better themselves. Jonathan Edwards own(prenominal) Narrative portrays his increase towards a more close race with God. His family was take placeers of the Congregationalist Church, and from early childhood, he followed a Christian feel (Edwards 385). Edwards autobiography, Personal Narrative, begins with him saying, I had a regeneration of concerns and exercise about my soul from my childhood but had two more strange seasons of awakening, before I met with that change, by which I was brought to those new disposi tions, and that new sense of things, that I have had (Edwards 386). Edward completes a sojourn that brings him close- circumstances(prenominal) to God.This disco very(prenominal) helped him in his evaluation of what it took to desexualise out a better Christian in Gods eyes. On the former(a) hand however, Benjamin Franklin slight well-nigh adhered to his familys Christian beliefs. As a Deist, Franklin believed that there was a Supreme world and that it is ones own chore to discover partkind through reason. In his autobiography, he reveals a few instances that altered his way of life story. parapraxis in point, he had qualms about not boost pursing his relationship with Miss say when he left for England. Franklin calls these wrong doings or regrets Errata (Franklin 473).The spirituality of Edwards and Franklin, although different, and very distinctive, their works resonate their exposure and the impact it had on their personal improvement and growth. Also, as a Deist, Fr anklin believed he determined his inevitability by his own accord. This encouraged him to practise and accomplish goals to get to what he in demand(p) in life. His autobiography portrays his faults and his accomplishments. This lack of backlog in revealing his errata is targeted towards his assembly, the American man, with hopes of prompting them to augment themselves and progress upon their deficiencies.Franklin rallied for the reformation of the American man through self-evaluation and dression. On the contrary, Edwards believed that it was Gods divine will of which men were the selected few who could entered into heaven after life. Edwards rivet his writings towards Christians more so than undecomposed purely Americans. His goal was to prepare Christians to run low these select individuals that gained entrance into heaven. Christians under Edwards mat responsible to live better lives and to localize examples for the faithful and the community.As Christian individuals , and as Franklins Americans, they continually believed that one essential examine and self-asses their place in life, the church, and the community. In the book ahead of time American Literature A order of battle of full of life Essays, edited by Michael T. Gilmore, Gilmore writes in the introduction, The Puritans in their minds the password was the book of history, and typology revea lead the developmental specimen of every daytime events by finding correspondences between the Old and late Testaments (Gilmore 2). Edwards consistently leads his life adhering to the bible. He believed like Winthrop, that his community necessitate to prepare and capture a metropolis upon a hill (Gilmore 2). In Resolutions Edwards self-reflection and goals can be seen. He constantly tries to improve himself and his congregation so that they can achieve Gods envisage of a new homeland in stark naked England. Edwards primary commitment was to understand the Bible and to abide by it to live li fe to the fullest. Edwards aspired to better himself and set a creator for his congregation and his Christian community.Franklin, like Edwards, in addition seeks these goals and achievements as and individual and for the American man. In Soundings Some untimely American Writers, Lewis Leary writes, Franklin was the trustworthy American he constantly redefines himselfnone better represented the simple, noble menwho lived close to personality faithful to her laws uncontaminated by artificialities of court or townspeople (Leary 9,11). Franklin provides his audience with virtues to adhere to when trying to set goals to improve themselves.Franklin explains, no one can change overnight and one must work on one viciousness until successively conquered, such as chastity, everyman can find self-improvement and further stand to their community (Franklin 487). Franklins determination to outmatch vices enabled him to bring forth nigher to virtuosity, and hopefully in the end encourag e his community to do the identical. Similarly, Edwards efforts to overcome his sins enabled him to become closer to God and to set an example for his congregation. twain men documented the progress of their goals to follow their self- defined resolutions and both men hoped their comrades would adhere to the same principles. They desired to be influential and pass attention and esteem from their community by showcasing their sacrifices. Along with self-improvement and setting of goals Edwards and Franklins writings reflect the importance of cohesion as a society. While Edwards urges his congregation of the need to seek salvation and gravel together during a time when America was redefining religion, Franklin, through his writing encourages society to bleed closer together after the new War.In, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Edwards reciprocates with pass and anger to his congregation when faced with The abundant Awakening. In the sermon to his congregation Edwards v erifiable is to rationalize with the countless that are lost to damnation and not saved. He preaches, in a flash you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of clemency wide open (Edwards 435). Edwards begs for the cohesion of his congregational community in effort to bastinado the influences of uncertified preachers and the impendence of damnation.Ursula Brumm explains in her evidence Jonathan Edwards and Typology, In Early American Literature A Collection of sarcastic Essays, Edwards took part heart and soul in the events of the gigantic Awakening He regarded this movement with provoke expectations in the belief that it marked the ancestor of a new millennium (Brumm 71). Edwards matte up The Great Awakening was a ravel from God, that Satan was causing these events, and that by force through his sermons he could hold his congregation together and pass this test from God to see who was faithful.Being much less forceful in his path, Fra nklin simply move to coax others to follow his path to become more patriotic. Franklin delves into the concept of how man can be made into a advantageously citizen by following his list of virtues. He says, Its every ones interest to be virtuous, who wishd to be happy even in this world (Franklin 495). Franklins goal is, to show men that his autobiography and literature alike can help oneself to analyze and correct their own errors (Leary 15). Franklins autobiography is defined by the case of rags to riches and has become a commonly used theme by many American writers.In the book Making the American self-importance Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln by Daniel Walker Howe, Howe further explains the evolution of the self made man, Edwards and Franklin concur in their assessment of human nature and the difficulties put in the way of a virtuous life. The origins of the model of human nature that Edwards and Franklin shared with so many others, led to the cult of the self made man ( Howe 2). During the period after the recently acquired American independence, the nation attempted to define the spokesperson citizen.Climbing from the lower class rags to the f number class riches Franklin achieved true success, set an example of the model citizen and influenced many coadjutor Americans during this time of need. Edwards and Franklin were both avant-gardes to their societies when people most yearned for an exemplary to live their lives by. Although so different Edwards and Franklin both were able to adhere to the American themes of self-improvement, setting and achieving goals, and coming together as a community. Through their erpetual self-appraisal, self-advancement, disclosure of their personal narratives, and their acknowledgment of a need to immix the community as one, they were able to form the model of the American, Christian man, and epitomize American Literature through their works. Works Cited Brumm, Ursula. Jonathan Edwards and Typology. Early Ameri can Literature A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Michael T. Gilmore. tonic Jersey Prentice-Hall, Inc. , 1980. Pg 71. Edwards, Jonathan. Jonathan Edwards Resolutions and Advice to progeny Converts. Ed. Stephen J.Nichols. New York P&038R Publishing, 2001. Edwards, Jonathan. Personal Narrative. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. seventh Ed. Ed. Nina Baym. New York W. W. Norton &038 Company, 2007. Pg 385-396. Edwards, Jonathan. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 7th Ed. Ed. Nina Baym. New York W. W. Norton &038 Company, 2007. Pg 425-436 Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 7th Ed. Ed. Nina Baym. New York W. W. Norton &038 Company, 2007. Pg 472-517. Works Cited ContinuedHowe, Daniel Walker, ed. Making the American Self Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln. New York Oxford University Press, 1997. Pg 2. Gilmore, Michael T. , ed. Early American Literature A Collection of Critical Essays. New Jersey Prentice-Hall, Inc. , 1980. Pg 2. Leary, Lewis. Soundings Some Early American Writers. Athens University Of Georgia Press, 1975. Pg 9-15. Oberg, Barbara B. , and Stout, harry S. , eds. Benjamin Franklin, Jonathan Edwards, and the Representation of American Culture. New York Oxford University Press, 1993. Pg 3.