Reflection of J.A. Leo Lemay's "Franklin's Autobiography and the American Dream"

J.A. Leo Lemay's criticism of Benjamin Franklin's autobiography and the American dream seen through the eyes of Franklin proved to be quite insightful and interesting, and it gave me new perspective on the people of America. Lemay presents the fundamental parts of the true American Dream as the rise from "rags to riches," the rise from helplessness to power, the effect of individuals on society and the world, and finally how these people think their actions affect society and the world (Lemay, J.A. Leo). These all seemed to be broad topics, but Lemay differentiated them using valid and interesting points and ideas. Lemay himself uses a very rationalist approach to the rationalist writing of Franklin. Lemay provides a useful explanation of Franklin’s rationalist view of the world and the American dream.

Lemay states that the aspect of rising from poverty to wealth is the least important facet of the American dream (Lemay, J.A. Leo). I agree with his views in most ways, but thinking in a purely aristocratic way, his views are false. I accept the fact that Franklin lived his not focused on economic gain, and he hardly ever boasted of it (Lemay, J.A. Leo) because he was highly rationalistic. However, personally, I believe that the rise from “rags to riches” is the classic cornerstone of the American dream. For example, most of the original colonists in America came to become wealthy, and in today’s society, almost everybody dreams of becoming wealthy in some fashion. Franklin’s rationalist views do not display this ideal, but I believe that it truly is of importance.

Lemay also highlights the portion of the American dream dealing with one’s rise in importance and power in society which he parallels to his previous idea one’s rise from poverty to wealth (Lemay, J.A. Leo). As well as Lemay, I believe that this aspect of the American dream is more important than the previous one. This deals with the same result, but on a deeper and more meaningful level. Franklin exemplifies this facet perfectly. He was once an obscure printer, but he rose to the powerful inventor and politician that we know him as today (Lemay, J.A. Leo). This need of identity I feel is portrayed in almost every human today. Most every person in America wants some sort of entitlement or recognition for his or her life, and they usually start out as some sort of unknown figure much like Franklin.

Lemay’s final two topics can be wrapped into one singular topic dealing with one’s effect on the world, how they think they have affected the world, and how they really do influence the world (Lemay, J.A. Leo). Lemay as well as Franklin take a very rationalistic view on these topics. One Rationalist belief is that every person has their own place in society and their actions happen for a logical and rational reason in society. Due to this concept, the thinkers, politicians, and the average people mainly influence the world. In this way, all people directly affect American society, which is truly a rationalist concept.

Lemay’s criticism of the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin provides truly insightful views of the American dream. All parts in which he mentions display characteristics of rationalism individually as well as traits of Franklin himself. Although written in 1978 (Lemay, J.A. Leo), Lemay’s views are still useful and relevant to today’s world.


Works Cited

Lemay, J.A. Leo. "Franklin's Autobiography and the American Dream." In The Renaissance Man in the Eighteenth Century. Los Angeles: William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 1978. Quoted as "Franklin's Autobiography and the American Dream." in Bloom, Harold, ed. The American Dream, Bloom's Literary Themes. New York: Chelsea Publishing House, 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. . Oct 11, 2010.