The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · Chapter
Arrival in Philadelphia explained
Franklin recounts his difficult journey from Boston to Philadelphia, including a storm at sea, a night spent in a leaky boat, a fever cured by drinking cold water, and his arrival in Philadelphia dirty and hungry with only a Dutch dollar an
What happens
Franklin recounts his difficult journey from Boston to Philadelphia, including a storm at sea, a night spent in a leaky boat, a fever cured by drinking cold water, and his arrival in Philadelphia dirty and hungry with only a Dutch dollar and a shilling. He describes his first encounters with printers Bradford and Keimer, his lodging at Mr. Read's house, and his growing acquaintance with local young readers. An incident involving his brother-in-law Captain Holmes leads to a letter urging his return to Boston, but Franklin defends his decision to leave.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Improvement and Moral Perfection
Franklin's resourcefulness in curing his fever with cold water and his determination to improve his circumstances reflect his commitment to self-improvement.
Industry and Frugality
Franklin's industriousness in seeking work and his frugality in spending his limited money on bread exemplify these virtues.
Social Mobility and the American Dream
Franklin's humble arrival in Philadelphia with little money and no connections contrasts with his later success, illustrating the theme of social mobility.
Characters to notice
- Benjamin Franklin
Narrates his arduous journey from Boston to Philadelphia, his first impressions of the city, and his initial work with printers Bradford and Keimer.
- Andrew Bradford
The first printer in Pennsylvania; Franklin offers his services but is directed to Bradford's son in Philadelphia.
- Samuel Keimer
A printer in Philadelphia who employs Franklin to print an elegy on Aquilla Rose; described as a poor workman and a knave.
- Deborah Read
Miss Read, whom Franklin first sees while eating a roll in the street; later he lodges at her father's house.
- John Collins
Franklin's friend in Boston who knows his secret and keeps it when Franklin writes to him.
- Captain Holmes
Franklin's brother-in-law, master of a sloop, who writes to Franklin urging him to return to Boston.
Key passages
“I cut so miserable a figure, too, that I found, by the questions asked me, I was suspected to be some runaway servant, and in danger of being taken up on that suspicion.”
I looked so wretched that people questioned me, suspecting I was a runaway servant, and I risked being arrested on that suspicion.
Franklin describes the low point of his journey, where his appearance made him vulnerable to suspicion.
“I was in my working dress, my best clothes being to come round by sea. I was dirty from my journey; my pockets were stuffed out with shirts and stockings, and I knew no soul nor where to look for lodging.”
I wore my work clothes because my good clothes were coming by ship. I was filthy from travel, my pockets bulging with shirts and stockings, and I knew no one or where to stay.
Franklin paints a vivid picture of his disheveled and friendless state upon arriving in Philadelphia.
“A man being sometimes more generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps through fear of being thought to have but little.”
A person may be more generous when poor than when rich, perhaps because he fears being seen as poor.
Franklin reflects on human nature and the paradox of generosity in poverty.
