View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Emerson describe war in "The Peace Principle?"

2. What was Emerson reading of Bronson Alcott's, after settling down with Lidian?

3. What does Richardson say likely caused Emerson's eye problems?

4. On whom did Emerson's reading focus after he graduated from Harvard?

5. How did travel in Italy affect Emerson?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Emerson's relationship with Bronson Alcott?

2. What was Emerson's relationship with Carlyle?

3. What Quaker belief of Mary Rotch's did Emerson find compelling?

4. How was Emerson's intellectual interest changed by Ellen's illness and decline?

5. What was Emerson's relationship with tuberculosis?

6. Where did Emerson travel in Europe?

7. How did travel change Emerson's intellectual interests?

8. What kinds of images does Richardson say dominated Emerson's thinking and writing in 1836?

9. What was Emerson's view of American literature?

10. How did Emerson describe Ellen's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Emerson is famous for his belief in the idea that people are guided by inner lights. In what instances did Emerson act on this belief most effectively? How do his actions show us his philosophy, or is it in his writing that we see this most? (In which case, how do we understand the difference between the work and the man?)

Essay Topic 2

Which writer or intellectual do you think had the greatest influence on Emerson? Hegel? Hume? Taylor? Fuller? Thoreau? Make an argument based on the text.

Essay Topic 3

How did Emerson overcome the grief and loss he experienced so many times? What counterbalanced the sorrow and misery? What emotional, spiritual or personal reserves did he draw on?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 682 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample