Compare And Contrast Mary Rowlandson And Benjamin Franklin

This selection gives interesting insight into the world of Franklin, relating both to his everyday habits, and his reactions to the Enlightenment. There was one very interesting, but small segment, towards the end of the selection. It read, ‘It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection; I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into .. . . But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined.’ This particular section of the source was very revealing of Franklin’s character. Throughout the entire paper, Franklin had discussed different aspects of his upbringing, and current lifestyle, however this quote reveals more about the man behind the paper than anything else. Yet, he spent most of the text comparing his life to religious teachings, and the paths that the Enlightenment opened.

Olaudah and Benjamin where both different and similar in may ways and their own modes of writing and writing styles exhibit their own attitudes to the cause they cared about. Olaudah Equiano, was a former enslaved African and he wrote autobiography showing the horrors of lobbied and slavery and advocated for its abolition.  Benjamin Franklin was a printer whose success as an author led him to take up politics; he helped draw up the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution Olaudah Equianos narrative teaches in a much humbler way compared to Benjamin franklin who is much prouder. Olaudah Equiano and Benjamin Franklin

Mary Rowlandson and Sojourner Truth were both prominent women who had stories about their captivities. Mary Rowlandson was a White woman who was kidnapped by Native Americans during a raid on her village. While Sojourner Truth was born into slavery and remained property until 1826. Both ladies had differences on among their captivities and encountered oppression in unique ways.The difference between Sojourner Truth and Mary Rowlandson emphasis on individuality, time and historical moment and institutional oppression they both endure.

Mary Rowlandson was a devoted, Puritan woman of the 1600’s who would eventually go on to pave the way for an entire genre—the captivity genre/narrative. She had several family members murdered and was held captive by Native Americans, but was eventually reunited with her fellow Puritans. She details her experiences in A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson. Rowlandson showcases her biblical typology many times and her story and a prime example shown is when she writes, “… my heart began to fail: and I fell aweeping… Although I had met with so much affliction… yet I could not shed one tear…” (Rowlandson 279). She uses typology to understand what is going on in her life and around her and this is displayed when she adds, “But now I may say as Psalm 137.1, ‘By the Rivers of Babylon, there we sate down: yea, we wept when we remembered Zion,” (Rowlandson 279). She used the bible to understand her experiences rather than to see what it is like. She wrote during a very devout, religious era and

John Winthrop and Benjamin Franklin both played pivotal roles in their structuring government, yet were very different in their philosophical views. Winthrop, a Puritan, founded his ideals based on a firm belief in one almighty God. Whereas Franklin, also a believer in a supreme being, founded his ideals on a more scientific ideal. Both men had different visions of government along with a different view of humanity.

In these speeches that both great minds gave there is some things that are alike then there's some differences . Some likes and differences are obvious and others are really hard to figure out. For some who have trouble paying attention, listening to the speeches it’s harder for them and for those who can listen to it over and over again and still understand it , it's easy for them. Then there's those who try to pay attention because they are important to the history of Americans, but just can't pay attention so they are a little of both problems.

It is ironic how two men were both born during the same time period, in the same area, and had many similar ideas on one’s behavior, beliefs in God, and impacts on society; and they didn’t even know who they other person was! Both Ben Franklin and Jonathan Edwards were born in the eighteenth century, within three years of each other. They were both contemporaries and took time to write about themselves or their outlooks on life. They felt it was important to contribute to society and to share their ideas with others. Ben Franklin and Jonathan Edwards were similar and different in many ways, including their attitudes or perspectives on moral perfection, their beliefs in God, and their impacts on society throughout their life.

​Every literature story has an importance of a great leader or a survivor. There are apparent themes in this captivity narrative such as the doubt of life. The story of Mary Rowlandson and Benjamin Franklin wrote a narrative of their life experience and their adventure. They learn from the attack that no one is guaranteed life, and life can be short. There are clear contrast and comparison between these two individuals connected to their observation of God. In the colonial American time, religion was a vital part of life.

As F. Scott Fitzgerald states, “It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of...” Benjamin Franklin and John Woolman, both reflective, conscious thinkers of their time, embody this quote as they regularly pursued self-awareness and endeavoured to achieve their own valued principles. The similar themes of hyperawareness of morals and vanity, the impression of religion, wealth, and inner-outer consciousness pronounced by these two figures’ autobiography and journal are striking and, as well as the contrasting elements, merit thorough examination and explanation.

Benjamin Franklin spent his teen years practicing his writing. In 1720, James started a newspaper known as the New England Courant. According to Franklin, this was the second newspaper in America. Franklin worked as a delivery boy and would publish his own writings anonymously. Franklin often disputed politics and books with another “bookish lad” by the name of John Collins. One of their arguments speaks directly about the female gender during the 1700’s. “A question was once, somehow or other, started between Collins and me, of the propriety of educating the female sex in learning, and their abilities for study. He was of opinion that it was improper…” (Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Bantam Books, 1982, pg 14.) Collins shares the same views and mentalities that many men of the 1700’s shared. At the time, it was understood that education and teaching was not to be wasted on women. Not only was it a waste but Collins specifically states that it is improper.

Benjamin Franklin and John Winthrop, men with different ideals, present the same notion that America should be presented as a “city upon a hill.” Franklin believed that the American dream should be presented as an ideal where men and women are equal and can both move up in social class on their own, practicing any religion they desired. On the other hand, Winthrop believed that the new world was a religious safe haven only for the Puritans. American Exceptionalism was overall the main focus, guiding America to define itself as a special nation founded upon democratic values and liberty.

Every colonist that came to America had their own perceptions of its inhabitants. The majority of these people believed the Native Americans were savages because their culture differed from the colonists. To the colonists, everything needed to be proper. The way they dressed, whether or not they went to church, or how they raised their children needed to be up to code. If not, their fellow colonists looked differently at them. The natives were entirely different. Their goal was simply to survive, and they were conducting survival the best way they knew how to. The differences between the two cultures led to many severe problems. Mary Rowlandson and Benjamin Franklin had two entirely different views of the Native Americans, based upon their encounters with them.

Before reading the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and the Narrative of Mary Rowlandson, I only knew very basic information about these two historical figures. Their stories made me more aware of the commitment and the choices that both individuals had to make to get through life. When I look for similarities of Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography with the Captivity of Mary Rowlandson, I do not find many. Benjamin Franklin liked an adventure and he knew exactly what he wanted in life. On the other hand, Mary Rowlandson was a devote Christian who did all her work based off her religion.

Mary Rowlandson was born in a Puritan society. Her way of was that of an orthodox Puritan which was to be very religious and see all situations are made possible by God. She begins her writing by retelling a brutal description of the attack on Lancaster by the Natives. Rowlandson spends enough time interacting with the Natives to realize these people live normal, secular lives. She had the opportunity work for a profit which was not accepted when she lived as devout Puritan women in Puritan colony. Mary Rowlandson knows that she must expose the good nature of the Natives and she must rationalize her “boldness” through quoting the Bible.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a detailed account of the illustrious experiences of Benjamin Franklin. Though the cultural differences in writing has changed since the 18th century one can learn a lot about one of America’s greatest forefathers through this book. It accounts for Franklin’s life when he was born January 17th, 1706 till the year 1757. Unfortunately, he died in 1790 and was never able to finish his autobiography. However, the book thoroughly details the early life of Benjamin Franklin.