Vanity

"Hereby, too, I shall indulge the Inclination so natural in old Men, to be talking of themselves and their own past Action, and I shall indulge it” (pg 3). Franklin begins his autobiography by stating that he has the reserved right of saying whatever it is he desires whether or not it be vain or selfish. He has done his merit, and the very fact that he is of old age has granted him the right to compose a work in which he salutes himself. He warns the reader, “since this may be read or not as any one pleases” (pg 3). Therefore, one has to accept the matter and realize that the reader has been noted. One can draw an existential sentiment in the text; he has created meaning his life and he writes in order to prove the latter. Similar to Stein’s writing, as the reader turns the page we seem to find out more and more about the people involved in his life. He notes his keen interest in the history of his own family, and throughout the first part of the work he brings the attention of the reader to the subject (family). At the same time, Franklin does not fail to mention his astute knowledge of writing. He makes sure that the reader understands that he was an exceptional student from an early age, but in a comical fashion he does consequently mentions that he was never an exceptional arithmetic student. Is it safe to say that the purpose of his autobiography is completely different than Stein’s? The connotation behind the language/text that Franklin uses does not come off as selfish or sneaky, but it is quite frankly filled with excerpts flourished with vain discourse. In my opinion, Franklin’s writing serves as an information pamphlet; Franklin literally tells us almost everything (to a tee) concerning his knowledge of the English language among other subjects. Could it be that he is merely paying respect to those who have taught him so well?