1、TheAutobiographyofTheAutobiographyofBenjamim Franklin1The First ParagraphnDEAR 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
2、purpose.Imagining 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.2nTo which I have besides some other in
3、ducements.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 s
4、ucceeded,my posterity may like to know,as they may find some of them suitable to their own situations,and therefore fit to be imitated.3nWho is the audience?nFrom 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.The
5、father wants to tell his life and even their ancestors life to the son.4Divide the booknThe total autobiography is divided into three parts.n1.Benjamin Franklins early memories and experiences.n2.designed to educate people using Benjamin Franklin as a modeln3.American history before the Revolution.P
6、eople at the same age with B.J.5ExplanationnB.F is a representative of Enlightment in America.His book and style are influenced by the theme of this movement.nEducation.Not only in the first paragraph.Sharing experiences and thoughts.nImprovement of the well-being of more people.(Utilitarianism)6How
7、 He Started the TablenB.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 13 names of virtu
8、es.These are more clarified,and express B.Js meanings.7The Table of VirtuesnThese names of virtues,with their precepts,were:n1.节制TEMPERANCE.Eat not to dullness;drink not to elevation.n2.沉默寡言SILENCE.Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself;avoid trifling conversation.n3.生活秩序ORDER.Let all you
9、r things have their places;let each part of your business have its time.82024/2/25 周日9n4.决心RESOLUTION.Resolve to perform what you ought;perform without fail what you resolve.n5.简朴FRUGALITY.Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself;i.e.,waste nothing.n6.勤勉INDUSTRY.Lose no time;be always em
10、ployd in something useful;cut off all unnecessary actions.10n7.诚恳SINCERITY.Use no hurtful deceit;think innocently and justly,and,if you speak,speak accordingly.n8.公正JUSTICE.Wrong none by doing injuries,or omitting the benefits that are your duty.n9.中庸MODERATION.Avoid extreams;forbear resenting injur
11、ies so much as you think they deserve.11n10.清洁CLEANLINESS.Tolerate no uncleanliness in body,cloaths,or habitation.n11.镇静TRANQUILLITY.Be not disturbed at trifles,or at accidents common or unavoidable.n12.贞洁CHASTITY.Rarely use venery but for health or offspring,never to dulness,weakness,or the injury
12、of your own or anothers peace or reputation.(Puritanism:little recreation,plain in life)n13.谦虚HUMILITY.Imitate Jesus and Socrates苏格拉底.12EnlightmentnQualified pioneer of the An Age of ReasonnB.F is strict with himself.He also tries to spread these virtues.One shouldnt live without any restrictions.nB
13、F designed a table to make sure he was being better,more moral,more rational.1314How to Use the TablenDuring 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.nTo make it more eff
14、ective,he paied great attention to only one virtue,others ordinary.nIt is not a one-day work.He determined to do so.15Comment in AllnAll these 13 virtues can be traced back to Puritainism.nPlain in life.Little recreation.Thrift(5.Fragulity).Piety(13:Deism-strong belief in God,glorifying reason*doctrine).Soberity.(Tranquility)162024/2/25 周日17






