This paper aims to show the Franklinian way of thinking towards a virtuous life in Frederick Douglass' Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and display how this adaptation is noteworthy with respect to slave narratives. Therefore, we will start by looking at several keywords and defining them in order to understand the concept of the Art of Virtue in Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography and then divide the thirteen given virtues into categories. We will continue to apply one category to Frederick Douglass' slave narrative and see in which extent Douglass adopts the Art of Virtue to become a self-made man.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Art of Virtue
- Franklinian Douglass, an American Slave and a Self-made Man
- Temperance
- Resolution
- Justice
- Moderation
- Tranquility
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to demonstrate the influence of Benjamin Franklin's philosophy of a virtuous life on Frederick Douglass's "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," exploring how this adaptation relates to the broader context of slave narratives. The paper will examine Franklin's thirteen virtues and their application to Douglass's experience, analyzing how he adopts these principles to achieve self-made success.
- The concept of the self-made man in both Franklin's autobiography and African-American slave narratives.
- The significance of Benjamin Franklin's "Art of Virtue" as a model for personal and societal improvement.
- The adaptation and application of Franklin's thirteen virtues in Frederick Douglass's "Narrative."
- The relationship between Franklin's philosophy and the themes of freedom, self-reliance, and social progress in slave narratives.
- The role of virtue in the development of a virtuous character and the pursuit of individual and societal transformation.
Chapter Summaries
The introduction delves into the historical context of the self-made man concept, tracing its roots to philosophers like Aristotle, Bacon, Locke, and Franklin. It highlights Franklin's unique perspective as a self-made man who rose from humble beginnings to become a Founding Father, representing the American Dream for both white and black Americans. The introduction also introduces the concept of the self-made man in African-American slave narratives, focusing on the autobiographies of Josiah Henson, Harriet Jacobs, and Frederick Douglass.
The second chapter, "The Art of Virtue," examines Franklin's approach to living a virtuous life. It defines key terms like virtue and habit, outlining three dominant definitions of virtue prevalent in the 18th century, including the caritas model of moral perfectionism. The chapter then focuses on Franklin's thirteen virtues, outlining their hierarchical order and the method Franklin employed to track his progress. It also explores Franklin's decision to add humility as a fourteenth virtue.
Keywords
The primary keywords and focus topics of this work include: Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," Art of Virtue, self-made man, slave narratives, American Dream, moral perfectionism, virtue, habit, temperance, resolution, justice, moderation, tranquility, humility. These terms encompass the key concepts of individual self-improvement, social transformation, and the role of personal virtue in achieving success.
- Citation du texte
- Kevin J. Zuchanek (Auteur), 2018, Benjamin Franklin's Art of Virtue in Frederick Douglass' "Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/491853
