Emerson Study Guide
Introduction (216-7)
1. Name three famous writers that Emerson influenced and/or was friend with.
2. Emerson was trained in what profession?
3. After leaving this profession, what did Emerson do?
4. What happened to Emerson’s son, Waldo and how did it affect him?
from “Nature” (218-21)
5. Explain the line, “If the stars should appear on night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore…the remembrance of the city of God.”
6. Quote one phrase/line that contains imagery on pg. 219.
7. What does Emerson mean is the difference between “the stick of timber of the woodcutter, from the tree of the poet”?
8. Explain Emerson’s opinion of the landscape. (pg. 220, 2nd paragraph)
9. Which two types of people does Emerson say can view nature the best?
10. Explain the Transcendental idea in the line “I am a transparent eyeball. I am nothing. I see all. The currents of the Universal Being circulate through me. I am part or particle of God.”
11. Explain what Emerson says about nature in the line “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.”
from “Self-Reliance” (224-5)
12. Explain the following quotes and tell whether you agree with them or not:
a. “Imitation is suicide.”
b. “These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world.”
c. “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.”
13. To prove his statement, “To be great is to be misunderstood,” Emerson provides what evidence?
Aphorisms (222)
14. & 15. Choose two of Emerson’s Aphorisms and paraphrase them in your own words. Do you agree with them? Why/Why not.