Literary Crticism

The author of the literary criticism of Benjamin Franklin is a very strange person.First of all he thinks that Franklins best literary work was his letters (Lamay) of all the things that Benjamin Franklin ever ever wrote Lamay chose his letters. How can you assess someones letters? Unless he is talking about formal business mail, which I am sure he is not exclusively talking about this. I know for one when I am talking, writing, emailing, or even texting someone that I do not write my best. When I am conferring with someone I have known for a very long time I usually tend to go faster and be less worried about mistakes. So how is it then that Lamay is able to claim that Franklin's best work was his letters. personally I believe this whole paper is a tribute to Franklin, the author made absolutely no attempt to be without opinion. I understand that everyone is going to have an opinion on everything but I also believe that as a scholer or academic that when you talk about something, someone, or anything for that mattter. In a formal paper that you opinion should not be in the paper what so ever. If you want to only focus on the historically accurate information that only paints a person in a negative or positive light you are free to do that. By all means you can choose what information you bring forth to support yourself. But do not lavish praise and explain that this or that is the absolute best according to you. I for know that for me personally I do not give a hoot about some one else's opinion. I would much rather be told the straight hard facts than listen to someone ramble about why he believes so and so was good or bad. On the lighter side I thought it was pretty cool how the author tried to relate Franklin's autobiography to the American dream. it really did help for comprehension to relate the book, which I personally have never read to something I can relate with. I mean everyone has heard stories of the American Dream and how anyone can do anything in America. It was cool to see how Ben Franklin did live the American Dream but he did not brag about or let it defin his a person, but rather used examples from when he was living the dream to further his writing or to drive a point home. Overall I thought it was a pretty cool essay thing and I thought some of the concepts were interesting. To be honest I thought the author seemed a little one sided and did not give the negative side of Franklin and talking about. Otherwise I though it was a really good essay thing and I would most likely recommend it to other people who were also interested in this sort of thing.

1.Lamay, J.A Leo. "On The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin." Blooms Literary Themes (1978). Blooms. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.