R16 Speech in The Convention By Benjamin Franklin

What is Franklin’s purpose for writing the Speech at the Convention?

• to enlist support of the Constitution from the members of the Convention taking into account their own infallibilities.

• to make the claim that his Constituents are infallible and naive.

• to dramatize the negative views held by their enemies and the need for unity.

• to convince representatives from twelve states to support the Constitution and prove their enemies wrong.

What is Benjamin Franklin’s point of view regarding the Constitution?

• Franklin’s view is that it is impossible to write a Constitution more perfect than the one drafted and thus it should be supported.

• Franklin’s view is that the Constitution has faults, yet it could only be as good as the men that wrote it because it entails their prejudices, passions and errors of opinion.

• Franklin’s view of the Constitution is that it should be rewritten to reflect the ideals of a certain French lady.

• Franklin’s view of the Constitution was that if administered for a course of years, would bring despotism.

In his Speech in the Convention, Franklin states the following:

… [W]hen you assemble a number of men, to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected?

What is the purpose of posing the rhetorical question above?

• to argue that it would be unreasonable to demand an ideal Constitution from flawed human beings.

• to emphasize that those who oppose the Constitution should draw attention to its serious imperfections.

• to show that the character faults of the delegates seriously outweigh their joint wisdom.

• to demonstrate that while those involved in its creation are flawed, the Constitution will still be a perfect document.

How is Franklin’s experience as a diplomat reflected in his argument and the type(s) of language he uses?

• Franklin's language is sarcastic in tone and is meant to cause his Constituents to be introspective.

• Franklin’s language is straight-forward and concise.

• Franklin’s language is respectful when addressing his fellow Constituents and reflects his awareness of his audience.

• Franklin’s language is condescending and borderline rude as are most politicians.