Benjamin Franklin Compared to Jonathan Edwards

Kendra Hughes Professor Machann English 2327 bunt 24, 2010 Errata in the Hands of an Un-Angry God A Comparison of Edwards and Franklin Oberg and Stout de put togethere it best in the introduction of their book genus Benzoin Franklin, Jonathan Edwards, and the Representation of American Culture, It is difficult, if not impossible to, think of two more widely canvas colonial figures than Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards. As Franklin and Edwards beget been studied individually e realwhere generations, so similarly have they been looked at unitedly (Oberg and Stout 3). by dint of their influential writing and critical evaluations of how to cleanse angiotensin-converting enzyme ego, Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin both handle American root words that ultimately define them as part of American publications. magic spell living in different times and writing for different reasons they packet the common themes of self- value, the constituteting and accomplishment of intents, and the importance of cohesion of society.By poring over Edwards Personal Narrative, Resolutions, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, and excerpts from Benjamin Franklins Autobiography, found in Nortons Anthology of American literary works, alter by Nina Baym, their distinct individual ideas, and these shared fundamental themes of American literature can be seen. Their personal narratives show how their environment impacted them to unwrap themselves. Jonathan Edwards Personal Narrative portrays his progress towards a more close kindred with God. His family was followers of the Congregationalist Church, and from early childhood, he followed a Christian carriage (Edwards 385). Edwards autobiography, Personal Narrative, begins with him saying, I had a variety of concerns and exercise around my soul from my childhood but had two more remarkable seasons of awakening, before I met with that change, by which I was brought to those new dispositions, and that new sens e of things, that I have had (Edwards 386). Edward completes a sojourn that brings him closer to God.This discovery championed him in his evaluation of what it took to fashion a weaken Christian in Gods eyes. On the other hand however, Benjamin Franklin less(prenominal) closely adhered to his familys Christian beliefs. As a Deist, Franklin believed that there was a Supreme macrocosm and that it is ones let chore to discover reality with reason. In his autobiography, he reveals a few instances that altered his way of life. Case in point, he had qualms about not further pursing his relationship with Miss Read when he left for England. Franklin calls these wrong doings or regrets Errata (Franklin 473).The spirituality of Edwards and Franklin, although different, and very distinctive, their works resonate their exposure and the impact it had on their personal improvement and growth. Also, as a Deist, Franklin believed he determined his inevitability by his own accord. This encoura ged him to set and accomplish goals to achieve what he coveted in life. His autobiography portrays his faults and his accomplishments. This lack of modesty in revealing his errata is targeted towards his assembly, the American man, with hopes of hint them to augment themselves and progress upon their deficiencies.Franklin rallied for the reformation of the American man through self-evaluation and correction. On the contrary, Edwards believed that it was Gods divine will of which men were the selected few who could entered into enlightenment after life. Edwards focused his writings towards Christians more so than just rigorously Americans. His goal was to prepare Christians to become these select individuals that gained entrance into heaven. Christians under Edwards entangle responsible to live better lives and to set examples for the congregation and the federation.As Christian individuals, just as Franklins Americans, they continually believed that one must sample and self-ass es their place in life, the church, and the community. In the book premature American Literature A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Michael T. Gilmore, Gilmore writes in the introduction, The Puritans in their minds the Bible was the book of history, and typology revealed the developmental pattern of everyday events by finding correspondences between the Old and mod Testaments (Gilmore 2). Edwards consistently leads his life adhering to the bible. He believed comparable Winthrop, that his community needed to prepare and become a city upon a hill (Gilmore 2). In Resolutions Edwards self-reflection and goals can be seen. He constantly tries to improve himself and his congregation so that they can achieve Gods create mentally of a new homeland in hot England. Edwards primary allegiance was to understand the Bible and to abide by it to live life to the fullest. Edwards aspired to better himself and set a precedent for his congregation and his Christian community.Franklin , like Edwards, also wants these goals and achievements as and individual and for the American man. In Soundings Some Early American Writers, Lewis Leary writes, Franklin was the true American he constantly redefines himselfnone better stand for the simple, noble menwho lived close to temper faithful to her laws uncontaminated by artificialities of court or town (Leary 9,11). Franklin provides his audience with virtues to adhere to when trying to set goals to improve themselves.Franklin explains, no one can change overnight and one must work on one vice until successively conquered, such(prenominal) as chastity, everyman can find self-improvement and further contribute to their community (Franklin 487). Franklins determination to overcome vices enabled him to become closer to virtuosity, and hopefully in the end encourage his community to do the same. Similarly, Edwards motilitys to overcome his sins enabled him to become closer to God and to set an example for his congregation. Both men document the progress of their goals to follow their self-defined resolutions and both men hoped their comrades would adhere to the same principles. They desired to be influential and catch attention and esteem from their community by showcasing their sacrifices. Along with self-improvement and setting of goals Edwards and Franklins writings reflect the importance of cohesion as a society. While Edwards urges his congregation of the need to seek salvation and bind together during a time when America was redefining religion, Franklin, through his writing encourages society to move closer together after the subverter War.In, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Edwards reciprocates with ferocity and anger to his congregation when set about with The Great Awakening. In the sermon to his congregation Edwards objective is to rationalize with the measureless that are doomed to damnation and not saved. He preaches, Now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Chri st has thrown the door of blessing wide open (Edwards 435). Edwards begs for the cohesion of his congregational community in effort to defeat the influences of uncertified preachers and the impendence of damnation.Ursula Brumm explains in her essay Jonathan Edwards and Typology, In Early American Literature A Collection of Critical Essays, Edwards took part middle and soul in the events of the Great Awakening He regarded this movement with sweep over expectations in the belief that it marked the beginning of a new millenary (Brumm 71). Edwards felt The Great Awakening was a test from God, that Satan was causation these events, and that by force through his sermons he could hold his congregation together and pass this test from God to see who was faithful.Being much less forceful in his bridle-path, Franklin simply assay to coax others to follow his path to become more patriotic. Franklin delves into the concept of how man can be make into a good citizen by following his list of virtues. He says, Its every ones interest to be virtuous, who wishd to be happy even in this world (Franklin 495). Franklins goal is, to show men that his autobiography and literature alike can help oneself to analyze and correct their own errors (Leary 15). Franklins autobiography is defined by the case of rags to riches and has become a commonly used theme by many American writers.In the book reservation the American Self Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln by Daniel Walker Howe, Howe further explains the evolution of the self do man, Edwards and Franklin agreed in their assessment of human nature and the difficulties put in the way of a virtuous life. The origins of the model of human nature that Edwards and Franklin shared with so many others, led to the cult of the self made man (Howe 2). During the period after the recently acquired American independence, the nation attempted to define the representative citizen.Climbing from the lower distinguish rags to the upper class riches Franklin achieved true success, set an example of the model citizen and influenced many match Americans during this time of need. Edwards and Franklin were both avant-gardes to their societies when people most yearned for an exemplary to live their lives by. Although so different Edwards and Franklin both were able to adhere to the American themes of self-improvement, setting and achieving goals, and glide slope together as a community. Through their erpetual self-appraisal, self-advancement, disclosure of their personal narratives, and their identification of a need to unite the community as one, they were able to wee the model of the American, Christian man, and epitomize American Literature through their works. works Cited Brumm, Ursula. Jonathan Edwards and Typology. Early American Literature A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Michael T. Gilmore. New Jersey Prentice-Hall, Inc. , 1980. Pg 71. Edwards, Jonathan. Jonathan Edwards Resolutions and Advice to Young Conv erts. Ed. Stephen J.Nichols. New York P&R Publishing, 2001. Edwards, Jonathan. Personal Narrative. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. seventh Ed. Ed. Nina Baym. New York W. W. Norton & Company, 2007. Pg 385-396. Edwards, Jonathan. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 7th Ed. Ed. Nina Baym. New York W. W. Norton & Company, 2007. Pg 425-436 Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 7th Ed. Ed. Nina Baym. New York W. W. Norton & Company, 2007. Pg 472-517. Works Cited ContinuedHowe, Daniel Walker, ed. Making the American Self Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln. New York Oxford University Press, 1997. Pg 2. Gilmore, Michael T. , ed. Early American Literature A Collection of Critical Essays. New Jersey Prentice-Hall, Inc. , 1980. Pg 2. Leary, Lewis. Soundings Some Early American Writers. Athens University Of Georgia Press, 1975. Pg 9-15. Oberg, Barbara B. , and Stout, Harry S. , eds. Ben jamin Franklin, Jonathan Edwards, and the Representation of American Culture. New York Oxford University Press, 1993. Pg 3.