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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Emerson say reality is masked by?

2. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's feelings about the changes he made after Ellen's death?

3. How does Richardson characterize the development of Emerson's writing in 1834?

4. How did Emerson describe Ellen Tucker?

5. How does Richardson characterize Emerson as a reader?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Emerson travel to the South?

2. What was Emerson's relationship with tuberculosis?

3. How does Richardson describe Emerson as a child?

4. What was Emerson's relationship with the Abolition movement?

5. Why did Emerson break with the church?

6. Where did Emerson travel in Europe?

7. What was the Transcendental Club?

8. How was Emerson's "American Scholar" talk received?

9. What is Emerson doing when Richardson introduces us to him?

10. What was Emerson's relation with Hume?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an evaluative review of The Mind on Fire. What is this book's place in culture? What are its uses? Who is its audience? What are its limitations?

Essay Topic 2

Which of Emerson's friendships had the greatest influence on him? Thoreau? Fuller? His brothers? Channing? Make an argument based on the text.

Essay Topic 3

How did Emerson distinguish himself from the writers and thinkers around him? What individuality and uniqueness did he call upon to accentuate the difference between himself and Jones Very? Thoreau? His brothers and forefathers? His Aunt Mary? Carlyle?

(see the answer keys)

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