The American Scholar Questions and Answers
The American Scholar
Analysis and Themes of Emerson's "The American Scholar"
Ralph Waldo Emerson's "The American Scholar" emphasizes the need for American intellectual independence from European influences, advocating for a unique American scholarship rooted in self-reliance...
The American Scholar
Emerson's view on the duties and improvement of the American Scholar
Ralph Waldo Emerson believed that the duties of the American Scholar include self-cultivation, the pursuit of knowledge, and the active application of that knowledge to improve society. He emphasized...
The American Scholar
What are the main influences on the scholar, according to Emerson?
The main influences the scholar receives, according to Emerson, are nature and the mind of the past as expressed in books. Nature forces the scholar to settle its value in his mind, and books...
The American Scholar
What are job card and route card in production planning?
In production planning, a job card tracks the actual work and time involved in a single production, including materials used and inspection reports, and is used for bookkeeping and payroll. A route...
The American Scholar
According to Emerson, what distinguishes a "scholar" from a "bookworm"?
According to Emerson, a "scholar" is "Man Thinking," who engages with life through direct observation, nature, and personal experience, using books as inspiration. In contrast, a "bookworm" gains...
The American Scholar
In "The American Scholar," what is Emerson's critique of a "mere thinker"?
In "The American Scholar," Emerson critiques a "mere thinker" for relying solely on book learning without original thought. He argues that scholars should combine reading with nature study and active...
The American Scholar
How does the quote from "The American Scholar" relate to works by Emerson, Melville, and Douglass?
Emerson's quote on the dual nature of books highlights their potential for both enlightenment and misinterpretation. Emerson, Melville, and Douglass illustrate this concept. Emerson's "Concord Hymn"...
The American Scholar
Explain transcendentalism in Emerson's "The American Scholar."
In his speech at Harvard, Ralph Waldo Emerson relays his ideas about transcendentalism. Transcendentalism promotes a strong bond with the natural world. That’s why Emerson praises Emanuel Swedenborg...
The American Scholar
What does Emerson mean by "the one thing in the world of value is the active soul" in The American Scholar?
When Emerson writes that "the one thing in the world of value is the active soul," he means that an individual who relies on his own inner voice and consults his experience rather than books alone...
The American Scholar
How does Emerson's "The American Scholar" relate to today's education?
Emerson's "The American Scholar" advocates for scholars to learn directly from nature and history, emphasizing moral and intellectual development through direct experience over reliance on books. He...
The American Scholar
Analysis of Emerson's Concept of Self-Trust in The American Scholar
Emerson's concept of self-trust in "The American Scholar" emphasizes the importance of individual intuition and confidence. He argues that scholars should rely on their inner voice and personal...
The American Scholar
How does Emerson's "The American Scholar" promote "nonconformity, self-reliance, and anti-institutionalism"?
Emerson's "The American Scholar" advocates for nonconformity, self-reliance, and anti-institutionalism by urging scholars to break from traditional English academic styles and foster a distinct...
The American Scholar
What defines a "good scholar" and what are the responsibilities of the American Scholar?
A "good scholar," according to Ralph Waldo Emerson, is "Man Thinking," who critically evaluates and discerns fact from speculation rather than simply parroting others' ideas. The responsibilities of...
The American Scholar
What was the state of literature when Emerson gave "The American Scholar" and what was its influence?
Emerson points to and praises the vitality of the Romantic movement, which was in full bloom when he gave his speech "The American Scholar." He exalts that movement's emphasis on ordinary life and...
The American Scholar
What trait did Emerson view as vital for the scholar in "The American Scholar"?
In "The American Scholar," Ralph Waldo Emerson emphasizes that the most vital trait for a scholar is belief in self, or self-trust. Emerson argues that self-trust enables scholars to develop original...
The American Scholar
How do "The American Scholar" and "Self-Reliance" reflect Emerson's focus on nature and self?
In both "Self-Reliance" and "The American Scholar," Emerson argues strongly that young college graduates must rely on their consciences to find their path through life. Nature, which is always in...
The American Scholar
What are Emerson's views on the "analogous political movement" in "The American Scholar"?
While Emerson does not state this explicitly, scholars believe that the "analogous political movement" he alludes to in "The American Scholar" is the Republican party. Both the Republican party and...