In 1787 at a Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was waiting to sign a document that would hold the fate and destiny of our nation. As he stood, his eyes fell upon a carving on the back of George Washington's chair, a carving of half a sun. He stared thoughtfully at it for a minute, then proclaimed words that would be remembered forever, "I have often looked at that picture behind the president without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting sun. Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is indeed a rising, not a setting sun."
Analyze the quote above. What do you think Franklin meant regarding the symbolism of the rising sun? Explain your answer.
I think that Benjamin was seeing a rising sun because he knew it was time for the colonies to rise from the power of Great Britain, and no longer be held under them. He knew by signing the document he was setting the Nation up for a much brighter future. It also says that he that at length he had looked at the picture which means this took a lot of thought and wasn’t just brought up over night. He was getting ready to make a change and you can’t make a change without first considering what the result will be so looking at what he was about to sign and its results made that him realize it was a rising sun.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Ben Franklin was referring to our new Nation and it’s improved government. Franklin probably saw the setting sun as a “sign” that the new Nation would possibly a success and to take a chance signing the Constitution to a better tomorrow. He was comfortable with the fact that it may or may not be a good thing, but he was confident in his decision to say that was “not a setting sun”. Whether the sun was setting or rising it was a whole represented our Nation and I think he was very sure of that being a symbol of success and a brighter future for all that is just and fair.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Franklin was saying that he knew the half sun on the back of the presidents chair was symbolized America. He said he wonder it was rising or setting. Rising sun meant the beginning; setting sun meant the end. He knew that the sun was rising for America was the land of new beginnings and that this bill was the start of something grand. Benjamin knew that even though we were a small nation at the time we should soon grow into something that everybody wanted not feared.
ReplyDeleteIn the quote I think Benjamin Franklin say he sees a sun rising. In my perspective I think this means he sees a rising nation, which will be powerful. When he says “I have often looked at it” he means he saw the nation grow and become independent. He could also mean he is seeing the nation after its independents, and he was watching it just form into a real government.
ReplyDeleteI think that what Ben Franklin meant about the quote "I have often looked at that picture behind the president without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting sun. Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is indeed a rising, not a setting sun." is that he see's a bright future for us. The sun is very bright so he is comparing the sun and how the future was going to be. And as he was sitting getting ready to sign the document he was thinking about the changes he was going to make to better the lifestyles for the people which all goes along with the sun and how he thought of it.
ReplyDeleteI think he saw a rising sun because he knew that the colonies were going to rise up to power and a new age for the colonies was going to emerge and set a new tone since they have become independent. Also he knew that when he signed that document that he was setting this new world up for success not failure as they had before when they were under Great Britain's rule. He stared at the carving for a great while and the document he was about to sign and it wasn’t just oh look at the picture it’s a rising sun he actually thought about it and realized it was a rising sun because of everything he thought of in his head while looking at the carving.
ReplyDeleteThe famous wise words of Ben Franklin were spoken out of wisdom and sincerity; the quote proclaimed by him might be translated as a new day for the colonies. It might have also meant we are free and have started a whole new life for the states. When he says "Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is indeed a rising, not a setting sun." he is talking about how that we are not coming to an end, but a new beginning. They are no longer under the power of Great Britain, for they are their own government; their own nation.
ReplyDeleteI think what he meant by this quote was even though we have been through so much grief and suffering in the end there is a new day awaiting us hoping to better. The sun represents the future and what it brings and the way that is in a cut half shows that you should always look forward in the world for what’s about to happen next. With great power there is a great leader ahead and since the sun is carved on the chair of the presidents. All the pain and suffering is over and we have a fresh new start at life or in the colonies with a new government, new leader, and new freedom.
ReplyDeleteWhen Benjamin Franklin said that he saw the sun as rising I think that he meant that by him signing the constitution, he knew he would be part of making a better future. We had been under the rule of the British for while now it’s time for us to rise up like the sun and succeed. Benjamin Franklin was very optimistic that we would be better and have a better government.
ReplyDeleteBen Franklin saw the rising sun because he believed that this was the beginning. The rising sun symbolizes the beginning of a new "day". Ben Franklin knew that if he signed the Constitution, the colonists will begin a new life that is completely different than before. He believed that the rising sun would mean that the colonists were looking forward to their new life and they would be full of hope for a better future. He knows that if he signs the Constitution, our nation will be just like the rising sun. It was the beginning for the colonists since they were now independent.
ReplyDeleteI think what Ben Franklin meant by saying that it is a rising sun, not a setting sun is that now the war is over and the colonists are free, they are now able to rise as a new country. Before when he did not know whether or not it was rising or setting was most likely because they were at war and he did not know if they were going to get what they want, to be a free nation. Now that he is about to sign the Constitution he knows that the sun is rising, because they won the war and are now a free nation. I think the sun symbolizes the colonies and how they want to be a free nation, but they have to work and fight to get there, but know that they won their independence, they can rise up and be what they are supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Franklin was first indecisive about whether or not to sign the document. When he looked at the carving, he was again indecisive about whether or not the sun was rising or setting. But he then realized that it was rising, so he was sure to sign the document. The sun rising represents the nation of fate and destiny was rising as well as the sun. So it shows our nation of fate and destiny to emerge into the sunlight.
ReplyDeleteI think Benjamin Franklin is trying to say how they have grown all this year to get to that point in signing the constitution. Therefore he feels that this nation has been rising since the day they declare to rise and they have not set there and just let everything pass. They have worked very hard as a nation and raise a lot to get to the point they are. I also he think he is saying that this nation since that day the constitution was sign it will keeping rising for a better nation and that they will never set to stop. Also that he is very proud to see the nation grow and to stand right beside a great president George Washington. Therefore even though at first they struggle and were small now they are a large and proud nation.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Ben Franklin was meaning that the rising sun means we are a rising as a new country.Probly to him he uses that as a symbol to remind him that we never gave up so we are a rising sun not a setting sun. The rising sun means we are rising up as a countrie and that we are confedent and have hope in what we were about to do. The sun gave him hope that he was doing the rite thing like a sign or somtheing. I think that it was suposse to be a rising sun not a setting one, its like a new begining a new day as when the sun comes up to give us light.
ReplyDeleteWhen Benjamin Franklin stated these words “I have often looked at that picture behind the president without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting sun. Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is indeed a rising, not a setting sun." I believe that Ben Franklin was using symbolism referring to the “sun” as a new beginning for the colonists. And when he said that he didn’t know if it was either rising or setting he meant that he didn’t know what was to come next if the colonies were to rise or fall under Britain. The sun was setting for a new constitution and a new and improved nation. The picture he was looking on the back of the president’s chair represented the nation’s fait. Before he was going to sign the constitution he saw this carving and thought that it was going to be a new beginning. I believe that this saying was remembered because it told a lot about the nations rise. Ben Franklin felt that the Constitution would be great for the nation’s independence against Great Britain. And he was right when this statement was said and that’s why it was remembered greatly.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Franklin's famous phrase was meant to symbolize the new nation, America, and its hopes, dreams, and success through hardships. When he states that the sun is rising rather than setting, he is proclaiming that America is going to prosper and become a great nation – rather than fail and die out or crawl back to the King for mercy, as some predicted. Franklin is also stating his personal belief that America has “found its wings”, so to speak (in that the nation has come together as one and will be able to work collectively to achieve success). All in all, the phrase and possibly the image itself is meant as one of hope and approval.
ReplyDeleteI think when Benjamin Franklin questioned it was a setting sun or a rising sun that he new that if it was a setting sun,that he knew that it symbolized the end of British control over the American colonies, and if it was a rising sun, when he stood to sign the document that was the Constitution,that sybolized the beginning of a new country that would soon be the United States of America
ReplyDeleteI assume that Benjamin Franklin was referring to the nation. Seeing the carving of the half sun made him basically think that the nations and the people are intensifying as one. The nation; moreover the people in it, have went through so much. Benjamin Franklin and the people in the nation should be exceedingly content and thankful. After so many acts and wars they have been through the only way they should be looking is straight and never back. The “rising sun” is a sign of great achievement, but you just can’t, stop you have to keep rising. Although there are going to be times when you may fall you just have to dust yourself of and keep rising. When seeing the half sun on the back of the chair, I think Benjamin Franklin didn’t see a setting sun. He saw a “rising sun”.
ReplyDeleteI think that Benjamin Franklin was trying to say in all these years of fighting the colonies can now rise from the power of Great Britain. Benjamin Franklin was trying to figure out whether or not the sun was rising or setting. As he made his decision he figured that the sun was rising, so I think that it symbolizes our nations hope, and destiny to a new beginning. The rising sun that Benjamin Franklin was seeing is symbolizing how the colonist risen above the British and has defeated them. Also I think that the quote represents America and how we have started a new beginning. Furthermore, I think that Benjamin Franklin was referring to how our nation and government has grown as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI think that Benjamin Franklin was referring to a good change that would be from the rising new nation. Franklin was using a metaphor, in saying that congress would sign the document and the nation will no longer be the same but improve. He probably meant that the changes they were going to make are good and the sun will always rise and shine over America after they sign the document to the new nation. Signing a new constitution to the new nation is a good thing, which may lead to a bright future. Just like what the sun does. The sun rises really bright every morning and shines. For many people with a bright sun, you have happiness. Because when the sun rises, it is a start to a new day. So with the new constitution, come a “bright” future and a new day for a new beginning. So the sun will rise to the upbringing of the new nation that is to come.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Franklin was saying that he realized it was a rising sun because by him signing that document would cause huge changes and he felt like he was making the right decision. This rising sun shows us that we never gave up and he was the light of that rising sun because he helped out a lot. He was first hesitant about signing the document, but when he saw that rising sun he realized how much we can achieve. It shows our destiny and faith rising to become a new and better country. After he had realized that the sun was a rising one, he was no longer hesitant about signing the document.
ReplyDeleteBy analyzing the quote that Benjamin Franklin had stated, I believe that the sun symbolized the new independent nation of the United States of America. At first Benjamin Franklin was not able to decide if our nation would rise and grow, or if it would just stay under the rule of the British forever. But when the war had ended between Britain and the colonies, the colonies were able to call themselves independent, and Benjamin Franklin finally realized the symbolic meaning behind the sun. It was rising rather then setting. Because they had just gained independence as a free nation, Benjamin Franklin knew that the sun was rising, for he now knew this young independent nation would be able to grow and prosper forever without being under the rule of the British.
ReplyDeleteBen Franklin saw it as symbolic. The rising sun was demonstrating our rising nation. It was a something great rising up to power. If it was setting, it would stand for the nation falling. But he saw it as rising, like the nation. That is what the rising sun means.
ReplyDeleteby viewing the qoute that Bejamin Franklin said I believe that the sun prepresents We as a nation rising to become 1 independent nation. He did not relize at first because he did not watch are nation carefully enough he then looked at it more carefully and relized that are nation was growing. The sun was rising because we had just got are independence as one free nation.
ReplyDeleteI think that the half sun on the back of the chair of George Washington at the Constitutional Convention was a rising sun because America was at that time a rising country in development and the first real accomplishment of America was when we beat the British and became an independent country and throughout time, we have been the first to do stuff like being the first to make computers and in my opinion we have overpassed Britain in the great economy race since we first became an independent force.
ReplyDeleteThe rising of the sun repesents the rising of the new nation that they were all a part of. Rising out of the oppression of the British, their new nation would become one of the power houses of the world. When the sun rises, it takes time for it to warm the earth. In a sense the U.S. has done the same. Out of us, several of the most prestigous universities have been developed. We are the melting pot of the world, accepting new ideas from all over the world, in many diffrent aspects.
ReplyDeleteThe words that Franklin said mean that he sees a great, bright future ahead. Since a rising sun represents a new day, I think he meant that the signing of the Declaration, combined with the new freedom brings a new "day."
ReplyDeleteIf I were to think of it from Mr. Franklin's point of view, he most likely saw the sun as a rising one; The sun rising to the beginning of a new day, and beginning a new chapter for the soon to be nation. He was still undecided at that point rather to encourage the huge change for the little colonies or reject it; He may have also saw it as a setting sun, because after that, the sun would finally set on the British Empire in the colonies.
ReplyDeleteI think it means that the document he was signing was a sign that he was about to make a brighter future for the colonies. Also I see that it explains optimism for the colonies sense the rising sun is an optimistic thing to say. The rising sun means that the colonies are about to become independent.
ReplyDeleteThe quote of Ben franklin stating the carving of the rising sun showed the future of the 13 colonies unwrapping as they waiting towards signing the document that would set them free at last from the forces of Great Britian.
ReplyDeleteI think Ben Franklin said the sun was rising because he had thought about where America's future was going when he looked at the statue and concluded that it was going to be a successful country instead of dying out quickly, like a sunset. Ben Franklin had determined that America had nowhere to go but up, and it would become a powerful and sucessful nation.
ReplyDeleteI think that when he said that it was a rising sun he meant that this would be a new beginning for our nation. When he said this before he signed the document he felt that signing it would create a bighter future for our country. He could have meant that before he signed this that it was looking dim for the colonies but with this new document it would better and have a greater future.
ReplyDeleteI think he meant that there was a bright future for the American colonies. A setting sun usually means the end of something while a rising sun usually signals the beginning of something. I think that Benjamin Franklin was at first worried that the colonies would meet a dreadful end, but during the Continental Congress he saw that there was not and end, but a bright future, waiting for our nation. It makes sense that he would fear for our new country. We had just ended a war with Britian and we had a very weak federal government that we were trying to fashion into the strong democracy we now have. Any intelligent person would be afraid of what the future would hold but when Benjamin Franklin prepared to sign that document he saw that there was hope for our country.
ReplyDeleteI think what Benjamin Franklin was trying to say was symolizing the rise of the colonies. It showed that they were finally becoming to where they would be under their own goverment and also their own power. I believe this because he siad the sun was rising, which means the colonies are finally unitint to become one. This also shows a movement foward, which could also stand for what he was trying to say.
ReplyDeleteIn his quite that said ”I have often looked at that picture behind the president without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting sun. Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is indeed a rising, not a setting sun." I think that Benjamin Franklin meant that the rising sun represented a new beginning and not the end. This meant that he was looking into the future at the new beginnings of the colonies and how it is going to rise and become something huge, and beautiful. This nation has done just that by advancing in many things and becoming independent of Great Britain.
ReplyDeleteI think Benjamin Franklin meant that the sun was “rising” instead of setting, because when signing the Constitution he looked at the sun as new opportunities for the colonies. I think that he also meant that is was a bright start also for the colonies because when the sun is rising it is very bright which is also like saying a promising start. At first when he saw it rising and setting, the setting of the sun to him meant that the colonies were going to struggle and they were not going to be able to make it. However the colonies did strive for excellence.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Franklin saw it as a rising sun because he felt that good things were in store for the colonies. The sun symbolizes the freedom, happiness, and hope of the colonies that they would last and be a constant reminder that everyone deserves to be free. Benjamin Franklin said this as America was only several years old, yet he saw great things for the future of our country.
ReplyDeleteI think that what Benjamin Franklin meant was that he knew that it was the beginning of something greater. The carving behind the president was of a half sun and could be either a rising or setting sun. A setting sun usually symbolizes something that is dropping from its prime, something on its way to ending. A rising sun usually symbolizes something that is just beginning and on its way to its prime. The beginning of his statement said that he was worried about where the colonies would go as a country and showed that he had doubts as to what their actions would lead to. The second half showed that he now knew that there was nowhere to go but up for the colonies and he knew that signing the Constitution was one of the first steps to taking this country to its prime.
ReplyDeleteWhen he was looking and trying to decide if the sun was setting or rising he decided it was rising. I think this represent that they had reached a point that was going to change the lives of colonists. Franklin felt as if this document he was about tpo sign would represent a new beggining just like that of a rising sun. I think that him seeing this sun while he was waiting to sign is really powerful because he found meaning within that sun and it showed how important the document would be to the colonists.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Benjamin Franklin's quote was symbolic for the start of our nation. A rising sun is symbolic for a beginning. In this case, Franklin was referring to how the country was starting to form. America had won the Revolutionary War and was starting to grow to become more than they were before. At the convention, they were setting up the fundamentals for our country's laws. From that perspective, I think Franklin was associating the rising sun with our country's rising.
ReplyDeleteI think Benjamin Franklin meant that he sees a great, bright future ahead of us. The “rising sun” is a sign of great achievement, but you don’t just want to stop rising there u want to keep rising up, and making the world a better place. The nation has to come together as one and be able to work together.
ReplyDeleteI think that the rising sun to Benjamin Franklin meant that he saw a new powerful outcome for our nation. I guess he thought that it truly represented that the colonies were becoming independent and that him signing this document would really make a difference in how people viewed everything dealing with the colonies. The reason why the chair meant something to him was because he was caught in the moment and at that time just about anything was very inspiring to him. So seeing that sun just made since that it would represent the document he was about to sign and how it just mean the great future for them.
ReplyDeleteI believe the sun symbolizes a better tomorrow. I say this because the document Benjamin Franklin was about to sign was very important. So, maybe the sun made it clear to him that the document was really meant to be signed. When the sun rises a new day has begun, so when he signs the document a better and brighter future will be ahead for the American colonies. And the sun shining represents that America’s future is a lot brighter than its past.
ReplyDeleteThe sun rising signifies that a new day has begun; therefore, the sun on the president’s chair signifies that a new day, a new chapter, in history had begun. The colonies were finally out of their darkest night where they had been constantly oppressed by the British, and now there was the hope of light. The symbol of the dawning sun told Benjamin Franklin that this was their new beginning. The night was over and the signing of the document was their long-awaited sun breaking over the horizon. Mr. Franklin says that he often looked at the symbol pondering whether it was rising or setting which tells that he made no snap-decision about it. This symbol was very important and showed him the importance of what he was signing.
ReplyDeleteI think that he saying he now knows that the sun is a rising sun means that a new beginning is going to start. Also that there is going to be a good future ahead of us, and that the country is starting to come into place and really mean something. He might of also meant that this could change the lives of some colonist, and that our nation has come as one and will be able to work well together to become successful. This is what i think he means by saying all of that.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Franklin was about to sign the Constitution. Franklin realized the sun was rising just like the country that was being established as he stood there. A rising sun symbolizes new beginnings. The thirteen states were about to be unified as one independent nation under a democratic government. It was a new beginning for the world.
ReplyDeleteI think when Benjamin Franklin had quoted that the sun was infact rising instead of setting he was inferring that the new nation will be rising for a new and better tommorw. That is in fact what a rising sun is for bring a brighter and better tommorw. I also believe the reason Franklin said this was because he believed signing the constitution will bring the colonist a better future and they will rise to full power as of a sun when it is fully risen.
ReplyDeleteI think Franklin meant that the rising sun behind the president meant that our country was rising up and going to see better times, no matter how dim anything so far had seemed. A setting sun represent the night is fast approaching. This is a symbol of the prosperous times having passed and the bad times approaching. A rising sun represents the day is yet to come. From that we can say that, although it may seem bad now, prosperous times are just around the corner. We just have to wait to the sun to finish rising.
ReplyDeleteNow that I have analyzed Benjamin Franklin’s quote, I think that Benjamin Franklin meant that the rising sun symbolizes that a bright future is ahead. Since he was about to sign the constitution it was showing that the colonists were finally about to have their independence. When he said “Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is indeed a rising, not a setting sun” I think that he meant now that he is about to sign the constitution he knows that the colonist are free and the nation’s future is going to improve. A rising sun usually means that something better and new is coming and a setting sun means that something is going to be put to rest without the possibility of it improving. With that said the rising sun means that the colonist future is going to improve and they would no longer have to abide by the British laws.
ReplyDeleteI think he is refering to the rise of a new nation. If the sun is rising than you see part of it now and it is low in the sky but in a little while you will see the whole thing high in the sky shining bright. I think he believed that would happen with America, and he was right. It became a leading power and got big and now shines bright, but at the time it was only in the making, and only a part of what can be seen in America now was on display at the moment.
ReplyDeleteWhat Benjamin Franklin meant when the son was raising meant one thing. This is he was referring to the beginning of a new nation like the rise of the son begins the day. The new nation was one soon to be united by this constitution. The reason for him saying “I have often looked at that picture behind the president without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting sun.” is because the new nation was a nation of rebels whose future as a nation could only rise for freedom or fall in more rebellion. The fact he stated “that picture behind the president” symbolizes the new country needing its president or the democracy, this also clarifies that the picture symbolizes the countries future.
ReplyDeleteHe meant by the sun rising instead of setting was that the colonies were rising instead of falling behind and still being under British control. No, he doesn't state this in what he says clearly but I can tell. I can tell this because he is about the sign the most important thing that set us free from Britain. Signing the document will mean that we have rose through the struggle and haven't fallen because of it. We went through the storm and now that it was over he noticed that the sun was rising and that we have finally reached happiness.
ReplyDeleteDuring the time of the Constitutional Convention the Revolutionary war ended four years before 1787. Everyone who was in that room was proud to working together as a people for the people. Benjamin Franklin was the main persons who contributed to the Great Compromise. Showing his emotions for slavery, taxes, and any other problems he saw that needed to be worked out. At the end of all the arguing, agreeing, and insures the men came up with a plan. That plan would soon mark their territory as a united country. The sun wouldn’t have been setting because we were moving up instead of down. The sun is always symbolic of happiness. That was a time of happiness for the colonies. All most as a sign telling them great things are waiting for the country to rise even higher.
ReplyDeleteIn 1787 when Benjamin Franklin was standing to give his speech for the signing of the document that had our nation’s future in his hands, he noticed the picture of a half of sun behind George Washington’s chair. This picture was symbolic for a new beginning, a fresh start, a rise to success which made him give that famous quote. The other part of his quote was saying that for the lengthy time it took for him to give this famous quote he endured great happiness and wisdom to precede at making a great nation.
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