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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Children of the Fire.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Emerson describe his experience of Ellen's death?
(a) It was a turning point.
(b) It forced him to question his beliefs.
(c) It was a second birth.
(d) It was a death for him as well.

2. What does Richardson say was revealed by the publication of Nature?
(a) That new ideas of religion were coming from modern culture.
(b) That American religion was essentially capitalistic.
(c) That American religion was pantheistic.
(d) That modern culture was confirming ancient religious knowledge.

3. In what cause did Emerson involve himself?
(a) Women's suffrage.
(b) Indian affairs.
(c) Preventing Cruelty to Animals.
(d) Anti-slavery.

4. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's reaction to Ellen's death?
(a) He says that it made him start a life-long search for religious meaning.
(b) He says that he realized that he had not really been in love.
(c) He says that it gave him absolute faith in the beneficence of the creator.
(d) He says that he never got over it.

5. What influence does Richardson say has helped Emerson's writing?
(a) His loss of Ellen Tucker.
(b) His reading.
(c) His travels.
(d) His public speaking.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why was Emerson's meeting with Carlyle a "white day in his years"?

2. What publication did Emerson call a "living leaping Logos"?

3. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's household in 1835-1836?

4. What were Emerson's religious beliefs tending toward, at the time of his ordination?

5. For how long was Emerson the editor of "The Dial?"

(see the answer key)

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