Reflection - Ben Franklin vs. Puritan Writers

Ben Franklin, compared to Puritan authors, is very different in his writing style. Puritan writers heavily reflect on God and the good works He has done for them. Rationalists, like Ben Franklin rely on science and logic to prove his points. Franklin's Autobiography is a very important part of Rationalist writing because his ideas and though process were extremely different from many notorious authors of the time period. The poems and other works by Franklin we have read so far in class really help me compare Puritan writing to Rationalist writing because of his interesting style portrayed in his literature.

A very large part of Puritan writing style is the fact that much thanks is given to God for everything the Puritans received in life. If something bad happened, they looked at it as a gift from God and an experience to learn from, rather than scientifically thinking their situation through, much like Benjamin Franklin does in his writing. A very notorious Puritan writing of the time period was Anne Bradstreet. She followed the ways and writing style that was typical for individuals in the day. In her story, Upon the Burning of Our House, Bradstreet's house burns down from a fire. Even as she witnesses her house go up in flames, she still praises God for what He has done for her (Bradstreet 91). In another example of Puritan writing style, Mary Rowlandson writes about her situation with the harsh Indians. They held her hostage and refuse to let her go, even to see her child. She is in a very traumatic situation, but regardless of the hell she is put through, she still gives thanks to God for keeping her safe and strong through a time of despair (Rowlandson 83). The Puritans were big believers of putting their faith in God no matter what. They could be on the verge of death, yet they still let God know He was their Savior. In Benjamin Franklin's writing on the other hand, he uses a more rational and logical approach to the everyday struggle life throws at him. We see this throughout his Autobiography found on page 108.

Comparing Franklin's writing style to William Bradford's writing, readers can tell how different Rationalists were from Puritans. Puritans tended to get straight to the point in whatever it was they were talking about. There was hardly any symbolism used in their writing. William Bradford, in Of Plymouth Plantation, explains the situation he and his crew are in, but does not lollygag in his writing (Bradford 64). He tells it as it is. Franklin on the other hand, uses very descriptive detail throughout his Autobiography.

After reading both types of writing styles, Rational and Puritan, I am overall pleased with Rational writing more so than Puritan. I enjoy the fact that Rationalists use a bit more detail in their writing, giving readers a chance to analyze what is being read, whereas in Puritan writing, it is basically said straightforward, leaving hardly any room for analysis. Franklin was a very descriptive man, and he displays this in his writing, leaving him to be a very prominent figure of the Rationalism period.

Bradford, William. "Of Plymouth Plantation." Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 64-67. Print.

Bradstreet, Anne. "Upon the Burning of Our House." Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 91. Print.

Franklin, Benjamin. "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin." Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 106-108. Print.

Rowlandson, Mary. "A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration or Mrs. Mary Rowlandson." Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 82-85. Print.