To me, the axioms from Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac (page 65) pretty much summed up the ideologies of the working class in the 18th to early 20th century. As the book said, "[Franklin] was the first to popularize them [the axioms in his Almanac] as the foundation for an American work culture..." i.e. the American Dream - that somehow, no matter what your circumstances, if you just work hard enough, that you will live a fulfilling and successful life.
Not only do I find the axioms Franklin outlined vague (strategic ambiguity maybe?) but even the wording reflects the pervasive opression of people during that time.
Instead, I will present some alternative axioms that I have found or believe to be true... keep in mind I'm a white, middle-class, agnostic, twenty-something-year old woman so obviously, I don't know everything =) (Also, keep in mind that when it says 'industry' it means hard work)
1. Franklin: Industry need not wish --There are no Gains without Pains Me: Work smart, not hard
2. Franklin: God gives all things to industry Me: nothing in life is given
3. Franklin: God helps those who help themselves Me: what goes around, comes around
4. Franklin: Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy Me: all work and no play makes wilki a very depressed and tired girl
and finally:
5. Franklin: Early to Bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, wise Me: Franklin might just be on to something with this one... although I think the benefits of a good night's rest extend to women as well as men... so lets just say: treat your body well, for it's the only one you've got.
Although Franklin's axioms are centered mainly around work, and mine more around life in general, I think mine are still legitimate because (As chapter's 1 and 2 pointed out) people's lives aren't as centered around work as much as they used to be. After all, what is the point of working hard if you are never going to enjoy the fruits of your labor?
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I totally agree. While Franklin highlighted what many people did and still do believe, that hard work will get you anywhere, it falls short on many counts. What Franklin fails to address are the things that work against people to prevent them for fitting into a norm that I would say is based on a white middle class male. Franklin's approach like many theories provides answers for one group of people and does not acknowledge that while this set of guidelines works for him it can not be applied in a sweeping manner to every person. While agree with Franklin that hard work is an excellent virtue I understand that my hard work may have a very different outcome than someone in a different circumstance. I know, for example, that because I was home schooled during my younger years I have an academic advantage to many people who attended public school. My hard work may receive a better grade than other persons not because I am inherently smarter but because I was afforded the opportunity to have someone work one on one with me. Also, though I understand your various points and agree with many of them, I think it is always important to consider the historical context of what Franklin said. Thinking and even education has evolved since that time. We learn a lot of political correct lingo as well as new ways of framing issues of race, class, gender, and other issues. Issues that Franklin may not have even considered.
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