Benjamin Franklin's story is that of the American dream, building his way up from nothing to prestige and influence through his own hard work and skill. Still he reveals that he made some errors in his life that make him less than perfect. It is this fact that he appeals to the reader in a very average and common man, not that of a hero. According to Franklin, when in the company of his friend's wife, "I grew fond of her Company, and being at this time under no Religious restraints, and presuming on my Importance to her, I attempted Familiarities, (another Erratum)" (552). In retrospect, an older, wiser Franklin can gloss over this event as something in the far away past when he was young and foolish. He can present himself as flawed in the past without hurting his acknowledged vanity because he has learned from his mistakes and is a better person when he writes his autobiography.
             This self-representation is still very limited in its details of what he actually did, perhaps lessening the appearance of wrong on his side. First he makes excuses for his actions, saying he was "under no Religious restraints." It does not seem to concern him that the lady, Mrs. T., was under religious restraints since she was married. Also, just because he was not under religious restraints does not mean that it was necessarily moral. Franklin also disregards his friend's feelings in the matter, revealing a truly despicable character. Secondly, Franklin says he was "presuming on my Importance to her." Presumption is a mark of his vanity that he would assume that the young lady would take a liking to him. This reveals a lack of knowledge about women and a case of self-importance. Next he says, "I attempted familiarities," a vague phrase whose lack of details spare him from embarrassment and a judging eye since those who read the autobiography may envision something much more innocent than that which may actuall
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