The Rhodora Questions and Answers
The Rhodora
What does Emerson mean by "beauty is its own excuse for being" in The Rhodora?
In "The Rhodora," Emerson means that beauty justifies its own existence without needing a practical purpose. He argues that the rhodora's beauty is valuable simply because it is beautiful, and humans...
The Rhodora
Identify a literary device in lines 1-5 of "The Rhodora." Is it effective?
There are actually several literary devices that appear in the first five lines of "The Rhodora." There are examples of metaphor, several visual images, and even personification of both the titular...
The Rhodora
What is the lesson learned in the poem "The Rhodora" by Ralph Waldo Emerson?
The lesson in "The Rhodora" by Ralph Waldo Emerson is that beauty exists for its own sake and is inherent in all of creation. The poem suggests that beauty is not just found in public displays but...
The Rhodora
How is the word "pierced" used in the first line of "The Rhodora" and what does it suggest about the sea wind?
The word "pierced" in the first line suggests the sea wind's powerful and transformative arrival, marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It implies that the sea wind breaks through...
The Rhodora
In "The Rhodora," what characteristics does the poet attribute to Rhodora?
The poet attributes several characteristics to the Rhodora, including its ability to bloom before leafing, its purple petals, and its contrasting beauty against a stagnant pool. Its beauty is said to...
The Rhodora
How is "The Rhodora" a perfect example of transcendental poetry?
"The Rhodora" exemplifies transcendental poetry by connecting the real with the ideal and reflecting on poetic composition. Transcendentalism, influenced by German philosopher Friedrich Schlegel,...
The Rhodora
What is the poet's intention in "The Rhodora"?
The poet's intention in "The Rhodora" is to convey Ralph Waldo Emerson's transcendental view of nature, illustrating the mystical existence of God's love through natural beauty. By focusing on the...
The Rhodora
Is "The Rhodora" a beautiful nature poem? Why?
“The Rhodora” can be considered a beautiful nature poem because the presence of the flower has a beautifying influence on the generally bleak and harsh woods.
The Rhodora
How does the speaker's simple ignorance represent profound wisdom?
The speaker's "simple ignorance" in Emerson's "The Rhodora" represents profound wisdom by revealing an intuitive understanding that beauty exists for its own sake, not for human validation. This...
The Rhodora
Why does the red bird visit the rhodora and what is their relationship?
The red bird visits the rhodora to cool its plumes and to admire the flower's beauty, which rivals its own. This suggests a relationship of admiration and courtship, akin to the poet's own...
The Rhodora
Has anyone besides the speaker appreciated the rhodora's beauty? Why is its isolated location significant?
The speaker does not know if any other person besides himself has appreciated the rhodora's beauty. He believes that he is probably the only person to have seen the flower. Its isolated location is...