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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 members are required to surrender in his comparison to joint-stock companies?
2. Who does Emerson say babies conform to?
3. What claim does Emerson make about the force of character?
4. Which effort does Emerson insist we obey?
5. What reason does Emerson give for good deeds?
Short Essay Questions
1. At the end of paragraph 36, Emerson relates the story of Caratach in Fletcher's "Bonduca," who is "admonished to inquire the mind of the god Audate." In your own words, describe Caratach's response.
2. What does Emerson say happens when a young man fails at his first endeavors? Describe what happens and what Emerson recommends.
3. What does Emerson say about technological advancement?
4. Explain the quote "Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events" from paragraph 3.
5. In paragraph 13, Emerson says it "seems to be a rule of wisdom never to rely on your memory alone ... but to bring the past for judgment into the thousand-eyed present." What does he mean by the phrase "thousand-eyed present"?
6. Explain Emerson's problem with "the phraseology of some old mouldered nation in another country" as detailed in paragraph 22.
7. What does Emerson say man no longer dares to do at the beginning of paragraph 23?
8. Who are Alfred, Scanderbeg and Gustavus, referred to in paragraph 19?
9. Explain what Emerson is referring to in saying, in paragraph 13, "Leave your theory, as Joseph his coat in the hand of the harlot, and flee."
10. In paragraph 10, Emerson gives a long account of exactly why he objects to conformity. His objection relates to personal "force" and the perception of character. Can you explain this objection?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Explain Emerson's stance on the significance of our past acts, both for ourselves and for society. In what way does Emerson say our past acts are important for society? What does he think about this importance? What does he say about how we should feel about our own past?
Essay Topic 2
In paragraph 26, Emerson says, "A man or a company of men, plastic and permeable to principles ... by the law of nature must overpower and ride all cities, nations, kings, rich men, poets, who are not." Explain what Emerson means by this quote and give your own opinion on this subject, backing your opinion up with specific arguments.
Essay Topic 3
What is the relationship between art, literature and philosophy described by Emerson in "Self-Reliance"? Explain what Emerson says about the effects art and literature have on the way people form their own opinions and his opinion on the subject.
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This section contains 1,227 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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