Ralph Waldo Emerson Questions and Answers
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is Emerson asserting with the statement about the great man keeping the independence of solitude amidst the crowd?
What Emerson is asserting in this statement is the necessity of thinking independently, of maintaining one's integrity in the midst of society. Emerson is trying to steer a middle course between...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is the analysis of Emerson's quote, "always do what you are afraid to do."?
Emerson's quote, "always do what you are afraid to do," emphasizes the value of confronting fears, especially in youth. He believes that youthful energy and dreams allow for bold actions that shape...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What are five examples of figurative language Emerson uses in his essay "Education" to advance his argument?
In his essay "Education," Emerson uses figurative language to enhance his arguments. Examples include the metaphor "the poor man...is allowed to put his hand into the pocket of the rich,"...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is Ralph Waldo Emerson's contribution to American literature?
The contributions of Ralph Waldo Emerson to American literature include the philosophy of transcendentalism, his focus on nature as symbol and mediator, his ideas about self-reliance and...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Where do examples of allusion, analogy, rhetorical questions, imperative sentences, and sentence variety/pacing occur...
In paragraph 13 of Emerson's "Education," various rhetorical devices enhance his conversational tone, making his ideas on educational reform more accessible and persuasive. Emerson employs allusions,...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is the symbolism and deeper meaning in Emerson's poem "Nature"?
In Emerson's poem "Nature," symbolism reflects the innate wisdom of nature, which operates without external guidance, highlighting themes of self-reliance and simplicity. Nature is personified as a...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is your analysis of Emerson's poem "Sursum Corda"?
"Sursum Corda" by Ralph Waldo Emerson explores the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Emerson suggests that those who earnestly seek the Spirit will inevitably find it, as it is "inexorable to...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is the meaning of Ralph Emerson's poem "Poet"?
"The Poet" by Ralph Emerson is a difficult essay to understand, but if broken down into parts it can be one of the most beautiful essays ever written. It is an essay that focuses on understanding...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
How do Emerson and Thoreau's views on nature, the individual, and conformity compare?
Emerson and Thoreau both emphasize individualism and anti-conformity, as seen in Emerson's "Self-Reliance" and Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience." Emerson advocates trusting oneself against public...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What analogies does Emerson use in his essay "Education"?
In his essay "Education," Emerson uses analogies to critique traditional education and highlight alternative learning sources. He compares the household to a "school of power," emphasizing its role...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
How were Poe and Emerson both Romantics, and how did Romantics differ?
Edgar Allan Poe and Ralph Waldo Emerson were both Romantics because they emphasized the individual's unique emotions and experiences. Emerson advocated for self-reliance and intuition, encouraging a...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Why, according to Ralph Waldo Emerson, should people trust themselves?
Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his essay "Self-Reliance," advocates for trusting oneself because individuals understand themselves better than anyone else can. He argues that through introspection, a person...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Summarize Emerson's "Address on the Fugitive Slave Law" from May 1851.
In summary, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Address on the Fugitive Slave Law” denounces this law, advocates for its disobedience, and attacks the political system’s lack of integrity.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Why does Emerson criticize schools as bureaucratic institutions?
Emerson criticizes schools as bureaucratic because they prioritize efficiency and standardization over natural learning processes. He argues that rigid structures, schedules, and rules stifle...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What does "this" refer to, and what does Emerson's metaphor imply in his essay on education?
In Emerson's essay on education, "this" refers to the unique and individual nature of a child, which should be nurtured rather than filled with facts. Emerson's metaphor implies that each child's...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Identify examples of rhetorical strategies in paragraph 13 of Emerson's "Education" and explain their effect.
In paragraph 13 of Emerson's "Education," the use of a single, complex sentence serves as a rhetorical strategy that builds pacing and leads to a powerful conclusion. Emerson's structure emphasizes...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Have you ever had a nature experience that transported you as Emerson describes?
Experiences that transport individuals as Emerson describes often involve profound connections with nature. These can occur during solitary moments in remote places, such as hiking in the Scottish...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What are the two metaphors in Emerson's phrase "The college was to be the nurse and home of genius"?
In Emerson's phrase, the metaphors "nurse" and "home" describe the college's role in nurturing and fostering genius. "Nurse" suggests nurturing, providing sustenance, and enticing creativity, similar...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What political and social issues existed during Ralph Waldo Emerson's time?
During Ralph Waldo Emerson's lifetime (1803-1882), America faced significant political and social issues, including the Market Revolution, rapid territorial expansion, and industrial growth...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Compare "Self-Reliance," "Walden," and "Woman in the Nineteenth Century" regarding individual responsibilities in a...
Both authors advocated for social change, but Fuller's focus was primarily on the condition of women.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Emerson's message, ideas, and views on the role and function of the poet in his essay "The Poet"
In Ralph Emerson's essay "The Poet," he views the poet as a visionary who reveals the deeper truths of the world. Emerson believes poets transcend ordinary experiences, using their unique perception...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What does Emerson mean by saying nature history aids in supernatural history and the outer creation provides language...
The quote from “Nature” by Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of the defining documents of the nineteenth-century American literary, intellectual, and spiritual movement known as Transcendentalism. He...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Discuss the style of Ralph Waldo Emerson using examples from his essays.
Ralph Waldo Emerson's style is characterized by a blend of analytical reasoning and emotional depth, as seen in his essays "Nature" and "Self-Reliance." In "Nature," he explores the interplay between...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What does Emerson say is every person's destiny?
Emerson believed that a person's destiny is a process of individual self-discovery, shaped by personal actions and choices, rather than being predetermined by fate or divine will. He emphasized...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What two things are compared in Emerson's metaphor "to draw a new circle"?
The two things being compared (metaphor) in Emerson's essay, "to draw a new circle" are the eye and horizon. The central beliefs of a man are the "helm" of his thought that lead him to the widening...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Identify imperative sentences in paragraph 13 of Emerson's "Education."
Paragraph 13 of Emerson's "Education" does not contain imperative sentences. An imperative sentence typically issues a command or instruction, but this paragraph consists of a single complex sentence...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What were Ralph Waldo Emerson's views on solitude?
Ralph Waldo Emerson viewed solitude as an essential state of introspection and inspiration. Despite leading a public life, Emerson believed solitude could be achieved anywhere, such as in a city,...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Was Emerson a rebel or a reformer?
Emerson was primarily a reformer rather than a rebel and was particularly interested in people's ability to reform themselves.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Would modern elementary schools support Emerson's belief that children should choose what to study and learn?
Modern elementary schools partially align with Emerson's belief in student choice, offering diverse subjects like science, arts, and physical education, which were less available in his time. Schools...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What references to the individual-government relationship crisis and its solutions are in Emerson's "The Poet"?
In "The Poet," Emerson suggests that poets, who best express human virtues and beauty, are ideal representatives of humanity. He criticizes politicians lacking this poetic sensitivity, implying a...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is the central theme of Emerson's "The Fugitive Slave Law" regarding slavery and its place in America?
Emerson's central theme in "The Fugitive Slave Law" is the moral condemnation of slavery and the law that supports it, emphasizing that laws must align with moral justice. He criticizes the 1850...