The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · Chapter
Endnotes explained
This chapter contains the endnotes for the Autobiography, providing editorial commentary, historical context, and clarifications on various passages.
What happens
This chapter contains the endnotes for the Autobiography, providing editorial commentary, historical context, and clarifications on various passages. It includes notes on Franklin's marriage, the structure of the Autobiography, his moral perfection plan, and other details such as the founding of the Junto, the publication of Poor Richard's Almanac, and his electrical experiments.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Resolution.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Franklin transitions from merely recording his personal success…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Self-Improvement and Moral Perfection
The endnotes discuss Franklin's plan for moral perfection, including a critique that it lacks a deeper impelling motive, as noted by Woodrow Wilson.
- Practical Wisdom and Common Sense
Franklin's practical advice on the study of dead languages is cited, with a reference to Gibbon's agreement.
- Education and Self-Learning
A note references Franklin's views on reserving the study of dead languages until the mind has reached a certain maturity.
Characters to notice
- Deborah Franklin
Mentioned in a note about her marriage to Franklin, including a stanza from a song Franklin wrote for the Junto.
- Benjamin Franklin
The subject of the endnotes, with references to his moral perfection plan, his lack of business order in France, and his views on church attendance.
- Abel James
Noted as having written a letter urging Franklin to continue his Autobiography.
- George Whitefield
Mentioned in a note about his celebrated preaching.
- James Foster
Referenced in a note about his preaching, with a quote from Pope.
- Richard Saunders
Noted as a well-known almanac publisher from whom Franklin took his title for Poor Richard's Almanac.
Key passages
“Mrs. Franklin survived her marriage over forty years. Franklin’s correspondence abounds with evidence that their union was a happy one. “We are grown old together, and if she has any faults, I am so used to them that I don’t perceive them.””
Deborah Franklin outlived their marriage by more than forty years, and Franklin's letters show their relationship was joyful. He wrote that they had aged together and he no longer noticed any faults she might have.
This note highlights the happiness of Franklin's marriage to Deborah.
“While there can be no question that Franklin’s moral improvement and happiness were due to the practice of these virtues, yet most people will agree that we shall have to go back of his plan for the impelling motive to a virtuous life. Franklin’s own suggestion that the scheme smacks of “foppery in morals” seems justified.”
Although Franklin's moral growth and happiness clearly resulted from practicing these virtues, many believe his plan lacks a deeper motivation. Franklin himself admitted it might seem like moral foppery.
This note critiques Franklin's moral perfection plan, suggesting it is superficial.
