Chapter Three and Chapter Four Summary and Analysis

Chapter Three examines Franklin's first years in Philadelphia and his time in London, 1723-1726. On his journey from Boston, Franklin meets William Bradford, a printer in New York. He recommends Franklin to Samuel Keimer, a printer in Philadelphia. Franklin makes friends easily, which contributes to his success. He learns how to get people to admire his work without being jealous of him. He meets Governor William Keith who offers to set Franklin up with his own printing shop—an example of how Franklin can attract patrons. He visits Boston full of his new status in life, though is reminded to be humble by Cotton Mather when he bumps his head on a beam: "Stoop, young man, stoop—as you go through this world—and you'll miss many hard thumps," (p...