Questions on Patriot Father, Loyalist Son: Benjamin and William Franklin
- What factors caused Benjamin and William Franklin to be so divided on their opinions concerning the American Revolution?
The author of the book describes the reasons of American Revolution using the examples of father and his son – Benjamin and William Franklin. Author pays careful attention to the symbolical meaning of Revolution to this family. It was not only the Independence War for Americans but also a stage in their development. As any son wants to be independent and decide on himself so Americans felt it was their time to leave the nest. But William opposed independency. He was illegitimate son, who did not know his mother, and he rejected the role of Benjamin in his life but he was loyal to his king as he was the father for all Englishmen. So, illegitimacy of William is one reason of contradictions between him and his father. As for the Benjamin’s side he was not appreciated enough by the British authorities and chose the rebellion party. He did not trust the king completely.
- Describe the falling out between Benjamin and William. Use evidence from the letters written by both men inside the document to show this decline.
First, when father and son understood they have different political views they supported each other. Benjamin took care of William’s career and William was worried about father’s health. It seemed that they have so close relations that William Stratham even accused William in having the same views. But William answered in his letter that only the “natural connexion” between them is all, which is common between them. When William was imprisoned Benjamin did nothing to release his son, despite his position was high and he could make William free. But he refused. Having gone out from the prison he left the country. He wrote his father letters asking for a “personal interview” but Benjamin did not agree. “Nothing has hurt me so much as to find myself deserted by my only son,” wrote Benjamin.
- How does the case study concerning Benjamin and William relate to the overall culture and attitude of Americans during the Revolutionary War? Use evidence from your textbook and/or lecture notes to support your answer.
The Revolutionary War was a great event in the history of America. It divided generations, people of different strata and skin color. Shelia Skemp writes that Native Americans supported British Army because land-hungered colonists were a bigger threat for them then British crown. Black population used war to obtain freedom. However, with his book author shows us that nobody stayed indifferent to the war and for many families it was a big drama.
