Self-Made, But Without Help - Essay Example

August 18, Self-Made, But Without Help? The theory of ‘Self Made Men’ is coined by Frederick Douglass, through one of his speeches during the nineteenth century. The concept of self made man is intensely rooted in the American culture. This essay attempts to compare Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass, with a focus on their self made success and how the comparison reveals about the ideal of the self made America. History of Benjamin Franklin: Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706. Referred to as Ben, Benjamin was interested in all subjects of study during his school days and was an avid reader. However, he had a very limited formal education because of the financial troubles of his family. This forced him to learn any trade that could earn income for his family. Ben’s first apprenticeship was with his own bother as a printer. His image as a self made man not just began with his discoveries and inventions. He can be called as a self made men right from his adolescent period when he had to quit his education to learn a trade. “He studied on his own time and taught himself grammar, arithmetic, and several foreign languages. He also studied subjects such as navigation and philosophy. Ben was proud of how he had educated himself and that self education certainly served him well” (Owens 12). The above sentences clearly defines Ben’s image as a self made man right from his childhood. Benjamin Franklin is called as the founding father of America and he is termed as a self made man with his rags to riches story. Franklin’s unparallel achievements on the social, scientific, political and personal fronts created a revolution in the eighteenth century American society. He had both scientific and theoretical interests in the real world which led him to make his own discoveries and inventions. He invented the lightning rod and started America’s first fire department. He was also the person who signed America’s declaration of independence. Franklin’s activities have been surprising throughout his life and have led him to new discoveries and inventions which brought him the honor as a self made man in America. Franklin was a quick learner and his desire to increase his learning and knowledge led him to make new discoveries which brought him steady success and fame. From his apprenticeship as a printer Ben developed his knowledge of writing and writing skills. Ben had a creative attitude. At 17 years, Ben managed to run on his own printing press where he worked as an apprentice. He left his home and family in order to pursue his dream of becoming a self made man and moved to the city of Philadelphia which is famously associated with his heritage. Ben has been rightly remarked as an embodiment of large number of interests and occupations. He played a multiple role in the American society as a man of science, a genius inventor, a politician and statesman, a civic improver and also his own platform of a humble printer in Philadelphia. He pursued his hobbies as occupations which is the real characteristic of a self made man. His hobbies of writing, flying kites making civic improvements in society, negotiating peace dialogues earned him not only self satisfaction but also self respect and the present position in the American society. History of Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass was born in the year 1818 as a Negro slave. His quest for knowledge and learning instilled in him the character which commanded respect from the American nation. Born as a slave he aimed to escape slavery and led an anti slavery movement. He believed in transforming the society and abolishing slavery from the society. In order to achieve his aim he made his own anti-slavery writings, which were a turning point in his life. With the passage of time, Douglass forced him into social reforms and advocated several social reforms like equality for all people irrespective of the class, the gender, he race that people belonged. The analysis of the*Self-made, but without help* topic While examining the history of both these characters it comes to fore that the societies in which these two individuals lived were different. Benjamin’s idea of self made man being only restricted to individuality is established because he ran away from home at an early age to pursue his dream of being self dependent. When he worked as an apprentice to his elder brother, there also he found suppression on his own thoughts and freedom. Besides, there were restrictions and he was not rewarded for his success. He felt that nobody even acknowledged them. Thus, it was on his own that he moved to Philadelphia to feel the freedom, pursue his dreams and become a successful model for the nation. Therefore he considers himself to be a self made man, without help. Comparing Douglass’s life American society faced slavery during that time and Douglass‘s birth itself was as a slave among a number of slaves. He grew up seeing slavery and people being suppressed and exploited. He understood the problems of treating a society or class with disrespect. Therefore, he was in the midst of the people. He was not drawn towards scientific inventions. Unlike Franklin, he wanted to be with people therefore he acknowledges his achievements to not just his own self but to the people who surround him. Douglass considers him as self made man because of his capabilities but he acknowledges the help he has received from the society. When these two characters are compared then it is understood that Frederick Douglass identifies himself with the society he lives in and contributes his self development as an asset which is bestowed on him by the society. But Franklin is opposite to this as he gives importance to individual success. Even though Franklin does not acknowledge the help of others, it cannot be disregarded that Franklin’s first role as a writer began and developed under the apprenticeship of his elder brother. Contrasting viewpoints between Franklin and Douglass Both Franklin and Douglass advocate the theory of ‘self made man’ but there are differences in the way the theory is being viewed. While Franklin’s concept of self made man does not involve society Douglass’s concept of self made man involves society and human relations. To be more accurate Franklin’s opinion of a man’s success is simply his hard work and his motivation to achieve in life and human relationships do not play a role in a man’s success. Franklin’s ideal of a man’s success is that the success of man is highly individualistic and in a man’s success there is no role of another man. Douglass has a completely different viewpoint and states that a man is a social entity and the society plays an important role in a person’s success. Besides, he stresses the importance of brotherhood and the interdependence between man and the society and compares the relationship between an individual to the masses in the society. Douglass represents the uniqueness in each man and states hat it is the uniqueness of each individual which leads him to make inventions and behind every inventions there is a collective effort. Douglass’s social reforms played an important role in eliminating slavery and his ability as a gifted orator, politician and write was appreciated. Conclusion: This comparison reveals the ideal of the self made America as many of the eminent personalities in America have their own rags to riches story. They have risen in life coming from poor families without much external help. It could be seen that even though Franklin does not acknowledge the help he received from society while Douglass acknowledges it. The theory of self made man in America is inclusive of the society and it transpires that all those men who claim to be self made have received some help from others in molding them and attaining the position as leaders. Work Cited Owens, L. L. Benjamin Franklin. ABDO Publishing Company. 2008. US. Web. 18 August 2011. Read More