A theme running across all Grand Theft Auto games is that of ambition. No character in the entire franchise embodies this drive better than Franklin Clinton, who goes from poor hustler living with his aunt to a wealthy mansion-dweller over the course of the single-player campaign of Grand Theft Auto V.
The writing for his character remains top-notch throughout the story, giving him memorable lines which chart his progression throughout the course of his story arc, and allow players to identify with his goal to rise above his humble beginnings.
Off The Books
"Legit? Oh Yeah, I Forgot, Huh? 401Ks, Tax Returns, And All? Yeah, Right."
In one of Franklin's first lines in the whole game, he says this to Lamar after Lamar insists that their repossession work is legitimate. Franklin is fully aware that it isn't, but he goes through with it anyway. This line excellently introduces Franklin's illegal activities at the start of the game.
Franklin doesn't for one second pretend that what he's doing is the thing that society would approve of morally or legally, but he doesn't let it get in his way precisely because he knows what he wants and what he has to do to get there. If that means working for a shady car dealer, then so be it.
Job Hunting
"I Just Came By To See If There's Somethin' I Can Help You With. I See You Doin' Well For Yourself."
After Michael forces Franklin to ram a car into Simeon's dealership, he lets Franklin go, having off-handedly told Franklin they could get a beer later. Unexpectedly for Michael, Franklin takes him up on it. Franklin sees in Michael not only a mentor, but an example of what he wants to achieve: financial success and a family.
Franklin also knows, based on Michael's actions, that he isn't dealing with a simple family man, but someone just as much related to the criminal underworld as he is. Franklin inserts himself into an apprenticeship of sorts with this potential mentor figure of his, hoping it will get him where he wants to go.
Success Story
"One Score With You, I Made More Money Than I Ever Did Hustling."
Knowing that he's in a bad situation, Michael tries to convince Franklin that he's full of crap, to which Franklin gives this line in response. The line sums up Franklin's personality, and character progression, for the entire game.
Now that Franklin's ambition has found an outlet to the success he craves, he won't let it go easily. His determination is relatable, even admirable, despite the fact that he's achieved all of this through criminal means. The line also reminds players of where Franklin came from, starting out small time but now presented with more potential cash than he could have imagined.
City Of Lies
"Nothing's Real In This Town."
When Lamar thinks he's finally found an outlet of his own through a business deal in Grove Street, Franklin cynically reminds him that the entire city of Los Santos runs on promises backed by nothing. Thanks to Trevor, who accompanies them and realizes the drugs are fake, Franklin is proven correct.
In his journey up to this point, Franklin has come to realize that the only thing separating the people he grew up with from the people he's met through Michael is money and status. Otherwise, they're just as morally compromised as anyone else. Money gets Franklin where he wants to go, but he's realized that no matter where the deal is, there's always a catch.
Pulled Back In
"All They Wanna Do Is Drag A M*********** Down And Live In The Past."
Franklin tells his ex, Tanisha, that Lamar and Stretch aren't good for him anymore because they're part of his old life, even though Lamar's supporting role in the game has proved his importance to Franklin. Franklin's ambition has gotten him to where he wants to be, but it's also made him push aside his old life and loyalties.
In this way, Franklin acts just like Michael, who betrayed his old friends so that he could have a better life, which got Brad killed. What differentiates Franklin from Michael, and what makes this quote work, is that Franklin ultimately goes against this idea, rescuing Lamar.
Loyalty
"Yeah, Bro, Of Course I Did."
Franklin's relationship to Michael is only strengthened when he saves Michael from being killed by Wei Cheng's gang. Franklin's response to Michael's profuse thanks is one of the most touching lines in the entire game, and once again shows off how loyal Franklin is to those he cares about the most.
Although he calls Michael "bro," this line also acts to show the culmination of the father/son dynamic that's developed between Michael and Franklin, and it cements that cathartic feeling for the players as well, who have gotten to actively guide both characters through this emotional journey.
Cry Me A River
"You Know What, Mike? You A Real Easy Dude To Identify With. Poor Me. Poor Me."
Michael spends much of the game in a state of self-pity, and is finally rebuked here by Franklin, who points out that Michael is incredibly ungrateful for the fact that he's well off, had his criminal slate wiped clean, and has friends willing to put themselves in danger for him.
The line acts as a refreshing reality check for Michael. As someone who has come from a poor background, with none of the privileges that Michael has ever had, Franklin's perspective on the matter is vastly different, and this reminds players of that. His call-out of Michael also clearly comes from the honesty one gets with a true friendship.
Stay Focused
"Work First, Bicker Later, Man, Alright?"
Franklin chastises Michael and Trevor for fighting during the hardest mission in the game, the Big Heist (though this line is only encountered if one picks the "Subtle" approach). Michael and Trevor's explosive relationship would have blown up the entire heist if it weren't for the influence of Franklin in this moment.
Throughout the course of the game, Franklin has learned from both Michael and Trevor how to operate, and because he was not part of their initial crew, he provides a much-needed outsider perspective in the story, always keeping the focus on the thing that counts: the score.
Another Way Out
"My Bad, Homie. I Picked C. Ain't That A B****?"
Franklin delivers this line to Devin Weston just before the three protagonists kill Weston, who ridiculed the idea of Franklin trying to save both Michael and Trevor. While one of three potential choices the player can make as Franklin, it's the one that best delivers on Franklin's character arc and provides one of the best quotes of GTA 5.
Throughout the game, Franklin has dived into the high-end criminal underworld, while being presented with two alternative paths to take: Michael's and Trevor's. By choosing to kill one, he would be choosing to take the path of the other. Instead, by formulating his own plan, Franklin truly decides for himself who he wants to be, and that includes someone who sticks by his friends.
Full Circle
"I'm A Hustler That Made It Big… Big House, Nice Cars, A Family And Everything."
This line is delivered to the player character of GTA Online when Franklin starts filling in the gaps of what happened after the events of the main game. Although not in the single-player mode, The Contract DLC expansion does provide a much-welcomed update on his life.
In this one sentence, Franklin makes it clear to players that the success found in the main game has lasted, and that he has found the happiness he always sought… even if he sometimes misses the old life. It provides a fitting conclusion to his story that players began in 2013.