Topic : The American Scholar
The American Scholar is a notable literary work by Ralph Waldo Emerson. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of The American Scholar.
Key info
Emerson's "The American Scholar" was written in 1837 during significant challenges in America. The nation was greatly divided by debates over slavery, westward expansion, and the rights of women. This chaos created rifts within the country.
Summary
Emerson discusses the need for a new way of thinking in America. He says America depends too much on European ideas, degenerating American ideals. So, American scholars must develop their intellectual identity to overcome the crisis. He desires scholars to lead this change to enable society to think more creatively and independently.
Themes
Themes are the central message or ideas in a literary text. Analysing Emerson's essay "The American Scholar," we find the following themes.
Notes
- Emerson’s Philosophy of One Man Divided into ManyQuestion: Describe, in detail, Emerson's philosophy of one man divided into many. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82) is an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet. He leads the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. His [...]
- Content and Style of The American ScholarQuestion: Give a brief account of the content and the style of the essay, The American Scholar. "The American Scholar" is a famous essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82) in 1837. It is considered [...]
- How does Emerson Characterize His Age and Its Relation to The Past?Question: How does Emerson characterize his age and its relation to the past? In his seminal essay "The American Scholar" (1837), Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82) reflects on the nature of his age and its connection [...]