What does Emerson say about creative reading?
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, and various study materials of The American Scholar.
Answer
What does Emerson say about creative reading? [2021, 2018] ✪✪✪
Francis Bacon (1561-16126) says that reading makes a full man. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) creatively emphasizes the importance of this reading habit in his essay “The American Scholar” (1837). He advises that books are valuable only when they inspire the mind. For Emerson, creative reading makes the scholar a true “Man Thinking.”
Books as Guides, Not Masters: Emerson issues a clear warning about the dangers of blind reading. He says,
“Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst.”
Books should help scholars think for themselves. When they read with an active mind, books guide them toward new truths rather than keeping them stuck in old ones.
The Need for an Active Soul: For Emerson, reading is fruitful only when the soul is active. The scholar must think while reading, not just remember words. He must question, judge, and create. The active soul “sees truth, speaks truth, and creates truth.” Emerson believes that the value of books lies in the spirit with which they are read.
Freedom from Book-Worship: Emerson warns that many readers become slaves to books. He says that a reader should not be “the parrot of other men’s thinking.” The scholar must not follow the old blindly. He should take what fits his own age and reject what is dead or narrow. True creative reading means independence. It refers to reading to find one’s own voice, not to repeat another’s.
Reading for the Present Age: Each generation must discover its own truths. Emerson writes,
“Each age… must write its own books.”
The scholar should select only what serves his own time. Outdated ideas must be left behind. Reading must lead to new thought, not imitation.
In short, Emerson teaches that reading should awaken creativity. The scholar must read with an active soul, freedom, and purpose. Books should inspire, not enslave.