Peer Response Post

Perfection Isn’t Always Great

This post is in response to Mohammed’s post. Here

I agree with your idea, and that perfection does not mean happiness. While it is often perceived that these two are related, the focus on perfection blinds usually the individual from seeing happiness. Additionally perfection also promotes a problem, “that a perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated” (Franklin 9). By being a perfect person, people are jealous of you. They will hate the fact that you are better than them in every aspect. It could possibly cut you off from your peers. They don’t want to be associated with you, because they look bad. In the long-run, are you really perfect? People don’t like something about you, wouldn’t you technically be flawed? That then brings me to one of your lines, “Improving oneself and striving to better oneself is a courageous act but being perfect doesn’t directly guide one to happiness and fulfillment. One can have many flaws, accept it and find happiness within it.” I agree with your statement, and I like it a lot. Our flaws are what drive us to be better people, being perfect we would never need to grow in our life. Being perfect, we would all be the same and boring. Sometimes we have to accept who we are and move on with life.

Close Reading Post

Tom Sawyer and Benjamin Franklin

In the beginning of the chapter Benjamin Franklin tells us about how his goal is to reach moral perfection. He mentions “I wish’d to live without committing any fault at any time.” (1 par.)  He believed that if he was able to master his method he could become someone with no faults. When he begins to work on the virtue, Order , he realizes that he was way more flawed than he believed to be.  He was not able to improve his Order. Franklin never arrived to perfection but arrived to the conclusion that if he were perfect then people would envy and hate him, which would not be fair because a kind person would not want to make someone else feel that way. I feel as if that is a huge contradiction to the title of this chapter. If you are trying to reach perfection but by reaching it it makes you an unkind person then technically you aren’t perfect. “7.Sincerity. Use no harmful deceit; think innocently and justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly.”(pg.69) He was a happier person for trying to reach it but it is impossible to be perfect. One should work on their flaws and be glad that they are trying to better it. Accepting yourself is key.  Now, in the book “Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, Tom tries to memorize “his verses” in a matter of minutes. He is told to recite them but it was not perfect. There was an award for a child who had the most tickets for memorizing verses. He would trade things for these tickets with other kids. ” Tom Sawyer came forward with nine yellow tickets, nine red tickets, and ten blue ones, and demanded a bible.”(pg. 50) He knows that who ever received the Bible was deemed to be perfect and envied. Obviously, Tom did not deserve the award and when he was questioned he failed to prove himself. Tom is far from perfect but he does have some of the virtues within him.

Benjamin followed his method and became a happier person. He never reached perfection but was glad that he disciplined himself in following the virtues. He tried to be a very kind and honest person. Benjamin became better at communicating. “I soon found the advantage of this change in my manner: the conversation I engaged in went on more pleasantly.” (pg. 75) Because he was working on his virtues and trying to catch his faults, it all became a habit.  Tom Sawyer wanted people to envy him. He cheated when it came to winning the bible and felt embarrassed when he could not answer a question referring the bible. He wanted to plot revenge against Alfred Temple. This is something he realized a lot of people would do. Everyone was fake at some point. No one tried to be perfect because no one was aware of their flaws. “There is no school in all our land where the young ladies do not feel obliged to close their compositions with a sermon; and you will find that the sermon of the most frivolous and the least religious girl in the school is always the longest and the most relentlessly pious. But enough of this. Homely truth is unpalatable.” (pg. 161) He is aware that being fake is not pleasant. I think he feels as if in school everyone tries too hard to be the smartest or the perfect student. It is all just memorization. How is that learning?

Through the lens post

Self-Experiment

From John Locke’s “Human Understanding,” the only and most efficient way to understand and learn is from personal experiences and sensations.  Sensations and feelings are the foundation of our knowledge. While books can spark curiosity, action is what engraves into our minds. John Locke’s idea of learning has many relations to Benjamin Franklin and his study.

Benjamin Franklin created a theory for moral perfection. Virtues that are ideal characteristics of someone morally perfect. But to conduct these studies, he used himself as a test subject to explain his reasoning. In using himself as a subject and studying himself, he was able to learn and understand the ideas of being morally perfect. Using himself as a test is a prime example of learning for experiences and sensations. Franklin spent one week testing out each of the thirteen virtues, “My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, I judg’d it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on, till I should have gone thro’ the thirteen…” (Franklin 66). In doing so, it supported his selection of the thirteen virtues that were from his readings and studies. However, by conducting the study on himself, he converted the words from the book to knowledge, “[Franklin can] gain knowledge at the same time that I improv’d in virtue”(Franklin 66). From practicing the virtues he better understand each virtue. Franklin particularly found order difficult. It was difficult to be on a schedule but even worse, it was difficult to keep everything in the right place and neat. From that here learned the significance of order.

After testing out the all the virtues Franklin states, “I was surpris’d to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined” (Franklin 67). He was able to judge himself based on his research. I believe that Locke would have agreed with Franklin’s method and approach to explain/prove his virtues for moral perfection. While books are not bad, they are not always right; but by exploring the virtue themselves, Franklin is able to better understand the virtues and moral perfection. It is the experience that he got that has given him the knowledge for moral perfection.

Through the lens post

I’m not perfect, but I’m happy.

In the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin creates a project for himself to achieve moral perfection. He wants to become a better person and live without fault. Franklin creates a list with thirteen virtues, starting with temperance and ending with humility. He creates a weekly planner, where he tries to perfect one virtue each week. During Franklin’s attempt to perfect each virtue, he realizes that it is more difficult than it appears. In the end, Benjamin Franklin doesn’t master all virtues, but he was “content myself with a faulty character” (Franklin 9). If Benjamin Franklin were to meet all his virtues it would make him ridiculous, and “that a perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated” (Franklin 9). What Benjamin Franklin is trying to say is a man might be happier with faults and friends, rather than perfection and enemies.

In Mark Twain’s Adventures of Tom Sawyer, we see that Tom Sawyer and other characters supports and challenges some of the thirteen virtues Franklin had listed. The characters aren’t perfect beings, but are content with how they are and their life.

Tom Sawyer never wanted moral perfection, but he is still happy with his life. Number ten of Franklin’s virtues is cleanliness. Cleanliness is to “tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation” (Franklin 9). Through the lens of this virtue, we see that Sawyer challenges cleanliness. Tom Sawyer tried to fool his cousin, Mary, to think that he bathe already. In reality, Tom just dipped the soap into the water and poured the foamy water seconds after. Mary was undeceived of Tom’s act and gives him a second chance to wash up. Even after the second bath, Mary was unsatisfied. Mary cleans Tom up until he was “without distinction of color, and his saturated hair was neatly brushed, and its short curls wrought into a dainty and symmetrical general effect” (Twain 4). Tom “was fully as uncomfortable as he looked; for there was a restraint about whole clothes and cleanliness that galled him” (Twain 4). Tom Sawyer is more happy without the virtue of cleanliness. He much rather be dirty than clean. Rather for Mary, perfecting cleanliness makes her happy.

Tom Sawyer supports the virtue of temperance, but it was difficult task for him. Temperance is “eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation” (Franklin 9). In chapter 22, Tom Sawyer joins the Cadet of Temperance. Sawyer is to refrain from drinking, smoking, chewing, and profanity as long as he remained a member. However, Tom Sawyer found “himself tormented with a desire to drink and swear” (Twain 22). Trying to perfect temperance made Tom Sawyer feel terrible til the point he was about to give up. Tom Sawyer handled in a resignation letter and free to drink, smoke, and chewy. However, Tom was surprised that he no longer wanted to, meaning he had perfected the virtue of temperance. Unlike Benjamin Franklin, Sawyer did not actually study himself and decide to change himself, but it was through this program that he perfected temperance.

The virtue of moderation is challenged in chapter 21 of Twain’s novel. Moderation is to “avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve” (Franklin 9). Mr. Dobbins, the headmaster of the school, has been very harsh on his students throughout the school year. He would whip student’s for their wrongdoings. At the end of the school year, Mr. Dobbin becomes even stricter on the boys and girls. The boys who are fed up with Mr. Dobbin and decides that he deserves to be pranked on. On examination day while Mr. Dobbins turns around to draw a map on the board, the boys lower a blindfolded cat from the garret. The cat snatches the wig from Mr. Dobbin’s head, revealing his bald head. Mr. Dobbins is humiliated and  examination day ends. The boys lacked moderation and revenged on Mr. Dobbins, but they were happy!

Introduction Exercise #1

Introduction

1 Comment

Frederick Douglass writes: “Brothers and sisters we were by blood; but slavery had made us strangers… slavery had robbed these terms of their true meaning (My Bondage and My Freedom CH. 2).” Slave children would never learn what it would mean to have a brother or a sister and would never be able to feel the embrace of their mother. The separation of children from their mother and family was the most inhumane act in the practice of slavery and the most effective in creating a sense of inequality between blacks and whites . The writings from Frederick Douglass in My Bondage and My Freedom along with those of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Emile will help establish why family is an essential part of human nature and how its distortion creates inequality among all of us if done through forceful means.

 

 

Anntia

Alana

Robert

Jenny

Jessica

Close Reading Post, Weekly Post-Check-In #3

Perfection doesn’t correlate with happiness

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Benjamin Franklin played an important role in the American Enlightenment. In the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, he lists 13 elements that associates directly with perfection. Even though he doesn’t embody the 13 qualities, he states that he is “content…with a faulty character. A benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance” (Franklin, 9). Mankind have the depiction that being flawless is easy but in reality it is impossible. It is easier to talk the talk then to actually walk the walk. Striving to better oneself is a daring act but being perfect doesn’t guide and link to ones’ happiness. One can find happiness within ones’ flaws. This is emphasized when Franklin states “…a perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated” (Franklin, 9).

Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography greatly correlates with Tom Sawyer from Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventure of Tom Sawyer, that one can be happy and satisfied with their flaws. Perfection doesn’t connect with ones’ happiness. Even though Sawyer doesn’t meet the 13 qualities that Franklin describes, he still sustains a happy and enjoyable life. Perfection doesn’t symbolize happiness.

In The Adventure of Tom Sawyer, Tom refuses to bathe for Sunday school which contradicts the “Cleanliness” qualities of Franklin’s in which he says “…tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitations.” He tries to fool his cousin by acting like he took a bath. But he got caught. “…the clean territory stopped short at his chin….below and beyond this line there was a dark expanse of unirrigated soil that spread downwards…” (Twain, 4). Sawyer characteristics of his uncleanliness nature showcases how he is as a whole.

Sawyer lacks moral consideration because he is selfish. This is portrayed when Tom, Huck, and Joe Harper go to an island and to become imaginary pirates. While the boys were “frolicking around and enjoying their freedom” (Franklin, 236), the boys finally realized that the community were concerned about them. Sawyer is selfish primarily because while he plans to go to the island he doesn’t even wonder about how worried the community would be about his disappearance. “…the village seemed empty and dead. Many visited Aunt Polly and Mrs. Thatcher and tried to comfort them. They cried with them, too, and that was still better than words” (Sawyer, 235).

 

Introduction Exercise #1

Courage is the mean for Enlightenment

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Douglass spends his entire life of slavery searching for his enlightenment. Through continual reading and writing, Douglass gradually develops his own thought and reasoning. For the first time, Douglass realizes his life is not subject to anybody else. Besides, knowledge gives him courage to do what other people can’t do. He starts to have rebellious thoughts and think according to his own understanding, without anyone telling him to do so. Eventually, Douglass finds his enlightenment, which is alternately his freedom. Just like Kant states in his essay, “have courage to make use of your own understanding! is thus the motto of enlightenment”(Kant 1). Enlightenment is not a one step process. People must be brave enough to think differently from the people in the past and then act for themselves. In other word, Enlightenment is an ongoing process that one must have courage to abandon immaturity to development his/her personal understanding in order to be an enlightened individual.

Close Reading Post, Weekly Post-Check-In #3

Perfection ≠ Happiness

2 Comments

Benjamin Franklin was an author, politician, scientist, inventor, civil activist, and diplomat. He played a vital role in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories about electricity. In the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, he lists 13 attributes that directly links to perfection. Even though he doesn’t perfect all 13 qualities, he says how he was “content…with a faulty character.” He also states that “a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance” (Franklin, 9). Men have the portrayal that being flawless is easy but in reality it is impossible. It is better said than done. Improving oneself and striving to better oneself is a courageous act but being perfect doesn’t directly guide one to happiness and fulfillment. One can have many flaws, accept it and find happiness within it. This is evident when Franklin states “…a perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated” (Franklin, 9).

Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography greatly supports Tom Sawyer from Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventure of Tom Sawyer, that one can be happy and satisfied when he/she aren’t perfect. This showcases that perfection doesn’t correlate with ones’ happiness. Even though Sawyer doesn’t meet the 13 attributes that Franklin describes (Tom never strives for perfection), he still maintains a happy and blissful life. Perfection doesn’t embody happiness.

In The Adventure of Tom Sawyer, Tom refuses to bathe for Sunday school which challenged the “Cleanliness” attributes of Franklin’s in which he says “…tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitations.” He tries to fool his cousin, Mary that he washed up. But he got caught and did it again. “…the clean territory stopped short at his chin….below and beyond this line there was a dark expanse of irrigated soil that spread downwards…” (Twain, 4). This portrayal of his uncleanliness nature shows the character of Tom.

Sawyer lacks moral consideration because he is egotistic. This is emphasized when Tom, Huck, and Joe Harper go to an island and become imaginary pirates. While the boys were “frolicking around and enjoying their freedom” (Franklin, 236), the boys realized that the community were concerned about them. Sawyer is selfish merely because while he plans to go to the island he doesn’t even wonder about how worried the community would be about his disappearance. “…the village seemed empty and dead. Many visited Aunt Polly and Mrs. Thatcher and tried to comfort them. They cried with them, too, and that was still better than words” (Sawyer, 235). When he came back the community was filled with joy.

Introduction Exercise #1

“If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell.”

1 Comment

Why is it that Douglass focuses so much on a master’s insistence that a slave be illiterate? Why not focus on something better known, like a slave’s struggle to work for said master? Instead, Douglass brings to light something that may not be obvious to the reader/audience. He desires to explain how this education that the slave master tries so hard to prevent is how he obtained the very freedom that has allowed him to write this autobiography. This text argues that education is the resource that frees slaves from their master, so depriving them of this resource illustrates the white man’s ultimate power to enslave. This essential power does not only take control of a slave’s body to produce hard labor, but also controls a slave’s mind and brainwashes him to think that he is not capable of anything else, nevertheless question being a slave. In order to demonstrate our claim, we will follow through on how Frederick Douglass got a hint of education from his mistress, but was stopped abruptly. Next, we will discuss Douglass’ consistent pursuement for further knowledge despite the method. Finally, we will look at how Douglass’ determination to be educated despite constant backlash from his master is what finally gives him the freedom he only used to read about.

Peer Response Post

Lack of Moral Perfection

I agree with Jenny’s post in regards to her statement that Tom Sawyer supports Benjamin Franklin’s belief in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, that “a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance” (Franklin 9).  Franklin states that striving towards perfection isn’t always a positive thing to achieve.  He learned from this because in his novel, he listed thirteen virtues to achieve moral perfection. Although he talks about the thirteen virtues, Franklin states that we do not have to achieve all of these virtues in order to be content. One particular quote Jenny stated that I found to be meaningful was when she said that happiness is sometimes embedded within one’s flaws. I agree with this and in the novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Sawyer lacks moral perfection but manages to live a joyous life anyways.

I agree with Jenny’s example of how Sawyer enjoys life despite not having moral perfection when she discusses about how Sawyer lied to Mary. He didn’t want to bathe for Sunday school and attempted to fool Mary into thinking that he had bathed. Furthermore, another example that I think would fit is when Tom, Huck, and Tom’s friend Joe Harper run away to an island to become pirates. While “frolicking around and enjoying their freedom,” (Franklin 236) the boys become aware that the community was extremely worried about them. This instance shows how Sawyer lacks moral compassion because he was selfish and wanted to play around, without wondering how worried the community would be about his disappearance.  Sawyer stated, “All the long afternoon the village seemed empty and dead. Many women visited Aunt Polly and Mrs. Thatcher and tried to comfort them. They cried with them, too, and that was still better than words” (235). However, all is well because his return brought happiness amongst the community and he was admired as well as envied by all of his friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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