View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Emerson suggest one should accept in regards to divine providence?
(a) The feelings divine providence has instilled in them.
(b) The place divine providence has found for them.
(c) The work divine providence has allotted them.
(d) The ideas divine providence has instilled in them.

2. What does Emerson suggest about philanthropy?
(a) Philanthropy is our obligation to poor men.
(b) It is our right to be philanthropic.
(c) Philanthropy can be malice and vanity in disguise.
(d) Philanthropy is the highest good.

3. What does Emerson say he does not need in talking about virtuous action?
(a) Consent to do good.
(b) The assurance of philanthropists.
(c) The assurance of his fellows.
(d) Courage and charity.

4. What does Emerson say conformity does in his objection to it?
(a) It weakens one's contribution.
(b) It drains one's will.
(c) It scatters one's force.
(d) It blurs one's judgment.

5. What does Emerson not recommend dragging about in his discussion of past acts?
(a) The burden of the public.
(b) The deadweight of contradiction.
(c) The carcass of your consistency.
(d) The corpse of your memory.

6. What does Emerson say Joseph does with his coat?
(a) Leaves it "under the cloak of night."
(b) Leaves it behind "like an empty husk."
(c) Leaves it "among the darkest enemy."
(d) Leaves it "in the hand of the harlot."

7. What is Emerson referring to when he states: "It will be found symmetrical" in talking about consistency vs. contradiction?
(a) Emerson's own thoughts reflect his life.
(b) Every man's character reflects his own life.
(c) A man's character reflects the society he lives in.
(d) A good character is always the same on the outside as on the inside.

8. Who does Emerson say the youth speaks forcefully to?
(a) Their contemporaries.
(b) Seniors.
(c) Children.
(d) Women.

9. What rule of wisdom does Emerson seem to find in his discussion of society's views of past acts?
(a) Never rely on your memory alone.
(b) Always rely on your memory alone.
(c) Never rely on the memories of others.
(d) Always rely on the memory of others.

10. Who does Emerson say babies conform to?
(a) Their parents.
(b) The world at large.
(c) Nobody.
(d) Everybody.

11. What does Emerson say man is jailed by?
(a) Other people.
(b) The youth.
(c) His consciousness.
(d) His interests.

12. Besides children, who does Emerson say God has armed with "piquancy and charm"?
(a) Invalids.
(b) Infants.
(c) Women.
(d) The youth.

13. Which of the following movements did Emerson NOT mention in his listing of "institutions"?
(a) Monachism.
(b) The Mongolian Empire.
(c) The Reformation.
(d) Abolition.

14. What does Emerson insist a man must be in order to really be a man?
(a) Genuine.
(b) Nonconformist.
(c) Fearless.
(d) Self-reliant.

15. What does Emerson call "...pretty oracles nature yields us..." when talking about examples of trusting oneself?
(a) The hearts of children.
(b) The actions of children.
(c) The face and behavior of children.
(d) The character of children.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Emerson say is the lesson great works of art teach us?

2. What does Emerson give as his reason for insisting that we "...must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny..."?

3. What does Emerson say a man will find himself if he exercises his reason?

4. What does Emerson say a man speaking his opinions would do to other men?

5. What is a hobgoblin?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 592 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample