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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 did Emerson become interested in after discovering Hafiz?

2. What was Emerson's response to the invitation to join Brook Farm?

3. What did Margaret Fuller ask Emerson for in 1840?

4. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's feeling about the essay "The Poet?"

5. How did Emerson see his personal history, according to Richardson?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Emerson's lecturing career.

2. Who was Hafiz and what was his influence on Emerson?

3. What was the significance of Emerson's first daughter's name?

4. Describe Emerson's son's death and its effect on him.

5. What were Emerson's impressions of England when he traveled there in 1848?

6. What was Emerson's response to the invitation to join Brook Farm?

7. What was Fourier's influence on Emerson's thinking?

8. What was Hegel's importance to Emerson's thinking?

9. What was Emerson's talk in Dartmouth like?

10. What political events did Emerson witness during his trip to Europe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Richardson says that Emerson was surprised by his reaction to Lincoln. Where else did Emerson surprise himself, and what value did he attach to being surprised? Was it something he sought out, or something he protected himself against? How did he do each of these things?

Essay Topic 2

What is the role or importance of women in Emerson's life? What contribution did they make, and do you think that there is enough recognition of their contribution to his fame and reputation?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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