In John Adams's worst nightmare, the story of the American Revolution assumed a different formulation: The essence of the whole will be that Dr. Franklin's electrical rod smote the earth and out sprung General Washington. That Franklin electrified him with his rod-and thence forward these two conducted all the policy, negotiation, legislatures, and war.
In a hypothetical scenario envisioned by John Adams, the narrative of the American Revolution diverges from reality. Instead of the complexities of human effort and political discourse, the revolution is depicted as a fantastical event where Dr. Franklin's electrical rod brings General Washington into existence, effectively suggesting that the two of them solely shaped the course of history. This idea presents a simplified and almost mythological version of a multifaceted struggle for independence.
Stacy Schiff's book, "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America," explores this alternative view, illustrating how Franklin and Washington are portrayed as key figures in an orchestrated drama of revolution. This imagery highlights a wish for a narrative that attributes the success of the revolution to individual genius and supernatural intervention rather than the collaborative efforts of many leaders, soldiers, and citizens who truly influenced America's fight for independence.
