Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin question?

Question

How does the intended audience for the first part of the novel differ from the audience for the second and remaining part of the novel? (Who was Franklin writing to in the first section vs. the second till the end?) How does this change in audience change the way he wrote and what he wrote about?

Answer 1

First part is aimed at entertaining readers who have heard of him with an account of Ben Franklin's life, only incidentally showing off the great scientist, diplomat. It's a more appealing read. The second part is aimed at establishing Franklin as the wise old man, the great sage in world affairs--so it is aimed at posterity. However, the real audience is Franklin, trying to prove to himself how successful and great a man he was; he was older then and was trying to preserve his legacy.