The Plowman and the Mule
Franklin understood well before the invention of the camera that picture is worth a thousand words. In his case, he used words to create a precise picture that has allowed his rather modest essay to enjoy a life far longer than most such economic advice pamphlets. A key image that would have struck a much clearer tone with readers of his age than our own is nevertheless brilliant in its delineation. Everybody needs to make a decision when it comes to work: do they want to be the guy behind the plow guiding the mule and reaping the benefits of growing crops or do they want to be mule who does all the hard work and enjoys nothing of fruits of his labor? The answer seems obvious until Franklin refines the image to remind his readers that it is the guy behind the plow who must be willing to make sure it gets done every day.
Finery Puts out the Kitchen Fire
The exact wording of this image is “Silks and satins, scarlets and velvets, put out the kitchen fire.” It is the apparent illogic of this image that lends it power. Try as one might, it is going to be very hard to put out a fire by tossing flammable material on it, so Franklin first creates a picture in the mind of the reader that is going to give him pause. Then comes the metaphorical sweep: every penny spent on fineries that at best can only do the exact same job as a cheaper alternative carries the potential for leaving you without that penny when the heat goes out. The imagery here presents in both concrete and symbolic terms the advice that one should always make sure they can meet the cost of absolute necessities before indulging in non-necessities.
"It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.”
Franklin delivers sage advice about the pitfalls of going into debt by borrowing except as a last resort with this powerful image working on several levels. The bag that is empty won’t stand upright because there’s nothing to hold its form together. The money that you borrowed and think you have is really as empty as the bag because you don’t really have it; you will have to pay it back. Franklin takes this this image to the next level with the suggestion that when one is under the weight of knowing they have to pay back the money, the cumulative effect is on one’s character as well. This is especially true during those times when you cannot may the payment on time. Excuses are made, people are avoided and perhaps even more debt is taken on this short-term solution has the long-term effect of robbing the borrower of a little more of their dignity and esteem. The longer it continues, the more the more borrower begins to lose the shape given them by the content of their character which is leaking out a little at a time.
The Twist Ending
The essay is structured in the form of a crowd waiting outside an auction hearing advice from wise old Father Abraham. The advice he offers is intelligent, reasoned, logical and defined by his long years of experience. The crow hangs on his every word. And the, as the essay draws to a close the doors to the auction fling open and the crowd rushes in to do the exact opposite of every piece of advice Father Abraham has just offered. This image of the crowd turning on a whim to indulge in exactly the sort of behavior that seemed to make such sense just moments before is brilliant demonstration of the subtle power of the twist ending when it really is a surprise you don’t see coming.
