On The Death of Bejamin Franklin Analysis

Philip Freneau wrote the poem "On the Death of Benjamin Franklin" in 1788 to mourn Franklin's passing and honor his legacy. Freneau depicts Franklin as a great tree that Americans found refuge in during times of conflict. Though Franklin had died, Freneau asserts that he remains alive in their hearts and minds through his influential ideas. The poem expresses Freneau's deep sadness at the loss of such an important figure, comparing Franklin to a dying tree withdrawing from the world. It would be difficult, Freneau states, to find successors to replace Franklin and his unmatched contributions.

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On The Death of Bejamin Franklin Analysis

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On The Death of Benjamin Franklin”

By; Philip Freneau

For a long time, America has been fascinated by great persons whom always influenced the

world with their ideas and writings. One of them is “Philip Freneau”. Philip was the major early

American poet who used his wit and his literary skills to advance America’s political goals at the end

of 18th century. One of his worldwide read poem is “On the Death if Benjamin Franklin”.

Philip Freneau is considered as of the strongest materials America ever had. He had been

intrigued by Benjamin Franklin , his great interest on his ideas and principals drove him to write the

poem “ On the Death of Benjamin Franklin”.

Philips’ poem “On the death of B.F.” was written in 1788; it was basically about B.F. Freneau

considered first Benjamin as being a “tree” that Americans always find refuge in times of conflicts.

Philip uses the word “stood” on purpose, he wanted to show his readers that Benjamin Franklin is still

alive on our heart and he is not dead. He remains alive in our minds in the way and sense that we are

still believing and working with his thoughts. Freneau is scarcely trying to reveal the soul of

Benjamin throughout his poem.

In addition, throughout the use of the word “storms”, Freneau seem to confess to his readers

that nothing may destroy what Benjamin had created and founded. Because of this, he uses the word

“tears” too. The later, show clearly Philips deepest and strongest feeling toward Franklin.

On the other hand, the poem expresses a kind of “sadness” since it compares Benjamin to “a

dying tree” that had withdrawn all phenomena. This genre of metaphor can exemplify to what extent

Freneau was affected by the death of Benjamin.

Also, in the second stanza, Freneau writes: “we must regret the loss of the more”. The following

verse means that the poet remorse Franklin’s death; he said “the world laments your exit made”.
Hence, a kind of sorrow is highlighted throughout two main words “lament” and “exit”. This means

that there is a great focus on the existence of Franklin that meant a lot for all kind of people.

Furthermore, the poet wrote: “Philosopher, tis hard to part”, this refers to that difficult

unexpected depart of Benjamin and the word “hard” accentuate on it. Brief, Philip’s choice of words