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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of these concerns did NOT burden Emerson in 1847?
(a) Health problems.
(b) Family matters.
(c) Endless obligations.
(d) Financial problems.

2. How does Richardson say Emerson felt in response to the work he did for Carlyle?
(a) Inspired to write poetry.
(b) Afraid of failure and competition.
(c) Motivated to write his own essays.
(d) Humbled so that he could not write.

3. According to Richardson, what feeling would stay with Emerson for the rest of his life, after the Norton affair?
(a) The taste of public censure.
(b) The flush of success.
(c) Doubt about his talents.
(d) The pride of accomplishment.

4. What theme does Richardson say Emerson began to write about as he turned forty?
(a) Political resistance.
(b) Isolation.
(c) Idealism.
(d) Mysticism.

5. Who is Osman?
(a) Emerson's aunt.
(b) Emerson's daemon.
(c) Emerson's nephew.
(d) Emerson's servant.

6. Where did Emerson travel after returning from Europe?
(a) The American West.
(b) The American South.
(c) Canada.
(d) Mexico.

7. What side of Emerson was apparent in the volume of poems he published in 1846?
(a) Political strategist.
(b) Divine.
(c) Passionate romantic.
(d) Calm stoic.

8. What took Emerson to New York?
(a) Lecturing.
(b) Travel for pleasure.
(c) Publishing.
(d) Utopian schemes.

9. To what cause does Richardson attribute Emerson's moodiness in advance of his trip to Europe?
(a) Correspondence with Anna Barker.
(b) Correspondence with Thoreau.
(c) Correspondence with Caroline Sturgis.
(d) Correspondence with Margaret Fuller.

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

11. How does Richardson characterize "The Dial?"
(a) As forward looking but also memorializing the dead.
(b) As mostly comprised of Emerson's work.
(c) As the work that inspired Emerson.
(d) As Emerson's mouthpiece.

12. What brought Emerson to Europe?
(a) Visits in Italy.
(b) A lecture tour in England.
(c) Invitations to write in Malta.
(d) Curiosity to travel in Greece.

13. How did Emerson portray great men?
(a) As demi-gods.
(b) As proto-Americans.
(c) As heroes.
(d) As educators.

14. What did Emerson say about women's rights?
(a) That they should have them, but that they did not want them.
(b) That they should acquire them slowly and patiently.
(c) That women had already proved themselves more than capable of equality with men.
(d) That advocacy was the only obstacle to full recognition; but that advocacy sapped every cause.

15. Whose coffin did Emerson open toward the end of his life?
(a) Waldo's.
(b) Mary Moody Emerson's.
(c) His mother's.
(d) Ellen's.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Richardson say is Emerson's last characteristic book?

2. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's career as a lecturer?

3. What does Richardson say were Emerson's feelings about marriage?

4. Whose book impressed Emerson during his travels?

5. What did Emerson begin to write about after returning to America?

(see the answer keys)

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