The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a depiction of the new perspective of upward mobility in colonial America during the 18th century and the development of the Age of Reason, which contributed to the conception of the idea. of the “American dream”; a dream that includes fundamentally social ideals such as democracy, equality and material prosperity. Additionally, Franklin's autobiography illustrates a significant shift in religion's focus toward enlightenment and reason. Additionally, there were strengths specific to Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia that played an important role in his outlook and in the changes occurring within colonial America in the 18th century. The new opportunity to achieve a higher economic and social position is one of the most important. important changes we find in Benjamin Franklin's autobiography. As Americans became significant buyers within a connected Atlantic world of goods and services, the expansion of a consumer economy became the basis of a society that moved further and further away from the life of the plantations and has now enabled the development of commercial opportunities for its own progress. The most important development to occur during Benjamin's youth was his brother James' founding of the New England Courant in 1720, America's second newspaper. (Franklin 23) Although the newspaper was not as commercially successful as James anticipated, it provided Benjamin with an opportunity to develop his skills as a printer and encouraged him to improve his ability to communicate in writing . The growth of Benjamin Franklin's writing abilities is very important because it allows him to pursue new paths of success as he later discovers that his writing and intelligence can be...... middle of paper .... .. of religion. Furthermore, the new opportunity to achieve a higher economic and social position, as well as the greater variety of trades and occupations generated during the 18th century, were extremely influential factors in creating opportunities for upward mobility. Ultimately, one of the most important themes of Franklin's Autobiography is the beginning of the ideal of the "American Dream"; a dream that has as its basis goals of equality and material prosperity, goals that have become important and influential to all citizens of the United States of America, and remain influential for generations to come. Works Cited Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty: An American Story. 3rd ed. New York: WW Norton & Company, 2012. Print. Franklin, Benjamin. The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Ed. Max Farrand. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1949. Print.