After reading Franklin's "Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduce to a Small One", I couldn't help but think that perhaps Franklin was being a bit too bold. If I were a British politician, I would feel that his incessant use of sarcasm is simply obnoxious. Does anyone else get a similar impression of his work? And if so, do you think this was Franklin's intent?
-Bryce Cody
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While I agree that Franklin's sarcasm might annoy some of its British readers, I also think that the sarcasm is a useful tool. In class today, Becca compared the sarcasm used in the work to a metaphysical conceit, and I agree with that comparison. The tone of Franklin's work draws in and interests its reader. If that reader is insulted off the bat,then they are more likely to keep reading, and therefore more likely to notice Franklin's message of reconciliation.
ReplyDelete-Tara
This is an interesting question. I think it mighty help to define Franklin's British audience. With the politicians, the sarcasm could serve, as Tara said, as a metaphysical conceit. However, remembering that this was published in a newspaper and anyone could read it, the sarcasm may not have been a problem. The typical (if such a concept exists) British newspaper reader may have merely been amused by the sarcasm. They were more detached from the politics concerning the colonies, and so probably had less reason to be offended.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought
-Melissa
While I agree that sarcasm is definitely useful, I think Franklin was definitely targeting British politicians. Though Parliament may not have been his sole audience, it was certainly a big one. With that in mind, I find Franklin to be a bit too bold. That's just my opinion though; I'm sure that Franklin was more comfortable dumping sarcasm on the most powerful government in the world than I ever would be. I think Franklin is leaning towards too bold more than not, but I suppose his ethos allows him to get away with it.
ReplyDelete-Colin