# Arrival in Philadelphia explained — The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin > Chapter companion for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/iii-arrival-in-philadelphia - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters