One author that we have read this semester caught my eye as the first truly American writer. This author portrayed all of the American standards of a truly American writer. The author that I believe to be the first truly American writer is Benjamin Franklin. Franklin in many ways embodies the Enlightenment spirit, and may even be thought of as the first prototypical American.

The first American standard that Frank

Ultimately, the most important quality that Franklin possesses to be truly American is that he portrays the ultimate American Dream. Franklin experienced the American Dream first hand, so who better to write about it and give hopes to readers than Franklin. When I think about American figures in history I think of Franklin as the most truly American figure around.

Franklin also portrays the American standard of writing about material that has never been touched upon in quite the same way. The Autobiography is different from everything else that we have read in many different ways. First of all, it is not written in a continuous stretch, but it is rather pasted together out of separate fragments that were written years apart from one another. It is also a self-help book for readers to better their lives, which no other writer touched on in the readings. Franklin also touched upon 18th century idealism, which he ascribes to. Another way that Franklin’s work is different from everything else is because the Autobiography concentrates on the lighter, positive aspects of humanity. In most of the other readings we read in class, the authors concentrate on the darker and brutal aspects of humanity. Franklin does the opposite of that, which is a good thing for readers so they can concentrate on more positive things in life, which in turn will help them better life. The Autobiography defines a secular literary tradition that establishes the autobiography as a work that is meant to not only tell about a person’s own life, but also to educate the reader in ways to better live their own life. Franklin is very optimistic in his work, which is different from other authors who have a chip on their shoulder about America. Yet another way that this work is different from others is that it has parts that with a complete list in which one can achieve virtues, which has influenced millions of readers over the last two centuries.

In his autobiography, Franklin explains that he achieved his success from a solid work ethic, which is strongly agreed with by many American people that have to work to get ahead. Franklin proved to readers that even undistinguished people in America could, through work, become great figures of importance in America. When readers think of the American Dream today-

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