Who is William Franklin? Here’s the Benjamin William Subplot and True Story Explained

The following contains spoilers for Here, now playing in theatersHere includes Benjamin Franklin’s son and recreates certain aspects of his life. Here it’s an interesting film experience, one that takes place throughout the story but remains in a single, static location. The timeline shifts centuries from scene to scene, exploring the lives of certain families who briefly live in the same space (and eventually the same house) in the United States. HereThe cast therefore features characters from before the colonization of North America to the modern day. This includes some 18th century snapshots in the years surrounding the American War for Independence.

These snapshots focus primarily on the Franklin family, including the iconic founder, Benjamin Franklin. Specifically, the camera ends up trained on a house owned by his wealthy son William, whose close bond with his father had developed into an open rivalry by the time depicted in Here. This is the film’s most obvious historical connection.and does an interesting job of highlighting the film’s overarching themes while also reflecting the true life story of Benjamin, his son William, and his grandson “Billy” Temple Franklin. Here’s How Historically Accurate The William Franklin Subplot Is In Here eventually proves to be.

William Franklin was the real-life illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin

William Franklin really fought with his father

Benjamin Franklin and his illegitimate son William appear in Herereflecting on their real conflict. Here takes place in a single setting, revealing all the people living in the same area over time. One of the minor subplots introduced in this way takes place in the American Revolutionary War era, focusing on the wealthy William Franklin. The wealthy landowner and his wife are quickly established as Loyalists, who reject the central ideals of the American War for Independence and refer to Franklin as a “terrorist” for his decision to help lead that effort.

William Franklin in Here it’s a pretty accurate reimagining of the real-life figure. Born in Philadelphia, William was the son of Benjamin Franklin and an unknown woman. Raised by Franklin and his wife Deborah Read, William spent years at his father’s side as his assistant and was even present at Benjamin Franklin’s immortal kite experiment. Eventually named Colonial Governor of New Jersey, William and Benjamin’s close relationship fell apart during the War for American Independence when the two men found themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. This is the period when the pair is seen throughout Here.

Did William Franklin and his father Benjamin Franklin really hate each other?

Benjamin and William had different opinions about the American Revolution

In HereWilliam and Benjamin regret the state of their relationship. At one point, William complains to his wife about his father and dryly remarks that no one will remember Benjamin in the long run (a sentiment that is comically contrasted by showing Richard and his brother dressed as Benjamin Franklin for a Halloween party centuries later). On the other hand, Benjamin seems more somber about their relationship, speaking to William’s son Billy about how he wishes their connection wasn’t so strained. Both men weakly promise not to discuss politics, a reference to the nature of their real-life disagreements.

This dark state of your relationship in Here reflects the real-life story of the twowhich was never repaired. William remained a Loyalist during the War of Independence, calling for the colonies to remain connected to England. His decision to actively lead the Loyalists further drove a wedge between him and his father, even as Billy remained by Benjamin’s side, with their meeting in Here implied being among their last face-to-face meetings. Although the pair attempted to reconcile later in life, the feud extended beyond Benjamin’s death, as he left only worthless land to his son in his will.

The role of William and Benjamin Franklin explained here

William and Benjamin Franklin are contrasted with Al and Richard Young

William and Benjamin Franklin do not take into account much Herebut they serve as part of the film’s thematic thread about the family’s common experiences and conflicts. William and Benjamin’s rivalry directly contrasts with the smaller tensions that rise between Al and Richard Young in the 20th century. In the same place where Benjamin and William complained about each other centuries before, Al and Richard sarcastically criticized each other for their mistakes. Both sets of father and son are surprisingly similar in their beliefs, and both sons have a son who clearly adores his grandfather.

Remarkably, though, the two men actually have a chance to reconcile in the 20th century, a far cry from Benjamin and William’s relationship. After the death of Richard’s mother Rose, Al returns home with Richard. Although this further divides his marriage with Margaret, Richard later sadly admits that he is glad he and Al were able to talk and find peace before Al passed away. This is a particularly tragic contrast to William and Benjamin’s final encounterswho were supposedly civil but ultimately unable to unite the two as before.

How accurate is the true story of William Franklin

Here is quite honest about Benjamin Franklin’s rivalry with his son

William Franklin largely does not appear Herebut his story seems to be quite accurate to real-life events. Eventually forced to abandon his mansion, the forest near his former residence eventually becomes a camp for the revolutionary army before becoming a place of celebration following the victory of the war. William’s status as a wealthy figure in colonial America and frustrations with the “treacherous” efforts of his fellow Americans seem consistent with the way history narrates that era. William was a vehement critic of the struggle for independence, turning his personality into Here they seem true to life.

Although there appears to be some natural dramatization in the story, Here appears to be quite accurate to the real-life story of William and Franklin’s quarrel. If anything, Here It could have been more focused on this relationship and highlighted the rift (and eventual reconciliation) between Al and Richard. While the 20th century duo overcame their differences, Benjamin and William never did. However, it is somewhat historically correct not to place him in America, as William departed North America after the war and never returned. Revisiting the story of the Franklins may have broken Heresolitary visual focus.