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. Where was Thoreau happiest, according to Emerson?

2. According to Emerson, why is the farmer blessed?

3. How does Emerson describe Ripley?

4. What was Napoleon's opinion of inherited monarchy?

5. What is the subject of "The Problem"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What dichotomy in Carlyle does Emerson explain in "Carlyle"?

2. Why does Emerson call the farmer the "continuous benefactor" of mankind in "Farming"?

3. How does Emerson describe the English as a people?

4. According to "Culture", what is culture? How does it develop?

5. What did Emerson say about the South in "The Emancipation Proclamation"? Why?

6. Why did Emerson write "Abraham Lincoln"? How did New Englanders feel about this?

7. Explain how society and solitude are both necessary for people, according to "Society and Solitude".

8. By what kind of poetry was "The Problem" inspired? What kind of rhyme does it use throughout?

9. Explain the Emancipation Proclamation.

10. Explain Emancipation Day, which was the inspiration for "Emancipation in the British West Indies".

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the purpose of "Selected Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson"? What do you learn about Emerson by reading it?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the role of solitude and society in the lives of thinkers.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role slavery plays in Emerson's writing.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 581 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample