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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 boys don't worry about?

2. What does Emerson say a great soul may as well concern himself with as with consistency?

3. What does Emerson say members are trying to secure in his comparison to joint-stock companies?

4. What does Emerson say a man must know how to estimate in talking about society and nonconformity?

5. What does Emerson insist men carry themselves in the presence of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Emerson say happens when a young man fails at his first endeavors? Describe what happens and what Emerson recommends.

2. Emerson states in paragraph 3 that "We are now men." What does he insist that we must do?

3. In paragraph 11, Emerson explains what consequences one faces within society for nonconformity. What are they?

4. Why does Emerson say in paragraph 26 that the world hates the fact that the soul becomes?

5. Why do other members of society "need" us to be consistent according to Emerson in paragraph 12?

6. Emerson explains in paragraph 8 why he believes men "do what is called a good action." Describe his opinion on this subject.

7. Briefly explain Emerson's view on how we should handle our relationships with our families.

8. 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.

9. In paragraph 6, Emerson compares society to a joint-stock company. Explain this comparison.

10. 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"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Emerson think of professional setbacks? Describe his point of view and state whether you think this point of view is practicable in real life. Defend your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

What does Emerson say the world has learned from its kings? Describe Emerson's view and give your own opinion on the subject.

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