Chapter Fourteen Summary and Analysis

Chapter Fourteen takes place in Paris from 1778-1785. In April 1778 John Adams arrives to replace Silas Deane. Adams and Franklindodid not get along: they have very different personalities and styles of working. Franklin always tries to give the appearance of being industrious, but in France it is not the fashion, so Adams thinks him idle. The French public want Voltaire and Franklin to meet, so they stage a couple of dramatic meetings between the two sages. The Academie Royale and the Masonic Lodge of the Nine Sisters are Franklin's intellectual bases in France. Franklin takes over as Grand Master for the lodge. Similar to Franklin's previous relationships, he forms the deepest bonds with women. The first is Madame Brillon, his neighbor, with whom he plays music and chess. They exchange suggestive letters and Franklin writes stories for her, though...