Feeling or Fooling in Benjamin Franklin's "The Elysian Fields"

One of the best known of Franklin's writings in a lighthearted vein belongs to the somewhat anomalous classical literary genre of the Dialogues of the Dead. No copy of the original manuscript exists, but when published in Melchior Grimm's Correspondance littéraire in June 1780, it was entitled merely "Lettre de M. Franklin àMadame Helvétius." Later editors have given it a title referring to its classical background, "The Elysian Fields," and have classified it among several other pieces as a "bagatelle." Belonging to a group of exercises Franklin wrote in French as a means of improving his ability in the use of that language, his accomplishment aroused sufficient pride for him to print it on his private press and probably to contrive at having it reprinted and circulated by Grimm immediately after its composition. It has since been widely regarded as a worthy sample of Franklin's wit and humor.

Madame Anne Catherine Helvétius, widow of the celebrated philosopher, was Franklin's neighbor in Paris, and they became close friends and frequent visitors at each other's dwelling. Franklin's letter ends with an unmistakably frank entreaty for her to become either his wife or his mistress. The only ambiguity confronting historical scholars, literary critics, or general readers is deciding whether he was serious in making his liaison-proposal or writing merely for their common amusement. Most modern interpretations, under the influence of American New Criticism of the first half of the twentieth century, which bases literary judgments on textual rather than on biographical evidence, have suggested that Franklin was playing a game. But textual evidence taken by itself equally supports the opposite conclusion that he was sending a serious message—offering either marriage or sex for pleasure. Consideration of the cultural background and Franklin's personality makes the latter conclusion almost mandatory.

The editors of the Franklin Papers at Yale University give scant background evidence concerning this significant biographical document, significant even though classified under the category of a bagatelle, and, therefore, they do not attempt to decide whether Franklin was merely indulging in fanciful play-acting or attempting to promote an amorous relationship. They ask, however, whether the work was "a genuine proposal of marriage" or "nothing more than a piece of light flirtation" (Franklin 31: 322–27). Both a reexamination of the text itself and a reconsideration of the biographical and historical background lead to the conclusion that Franklin was sending a serious message even though utilizing a lighthearted instrument to do so.

Since Franklin's epistle to Mme. Helvétius is well known and readily available, I shall make my summary brief. One night after she has refused an offer of marriage from Franklin out of loyalty to her deceased husband, Franklin dreams that he is in the Elysian Fields. When asked if he wishes to see there anyone in particular, he mentions philosophers and is told that Socrates and Helvétius live close by. Franklin opts for Helvétius, whom he had previously admired but never met. Helvétius treats him with great courtesy, indicating that his reputation had preceded him, and then unleashes a barrage of questions concerning contemporary conditions in France. When Franklin expresses surprise that Helvétius has not inquired about his widow and volunteers the information that she still loves him and for that reason has refused several offers of marriage, including one from Franklin himself, Helvétius replies that for many years he had also regretted the absence of his late spouse, but had finally decided that in order to console himself he had taken another wife, who loves him infinitely and seeks only to give him pleasure. After Franklin is given some words of advice on how he should continue his courtship, the new Mme. Helvétius enters and Franklin immediately recognizes her as his former American wife. He attempts to reclaim her as his "Euridice," but she coldly replies that she had been faithful to him for nearly 50 years, but has now formed a new connection that will last an eternity. Franklin, annoyed by this refusal...