Emerson was born into a poor, yet well-educated family.

Part 1) Why is education so important? How does this emphasis on education influence Emerson throughout his life?

Part 2) How does Emerson deal with this poverty as a student? How important is money to Emerson throughout the rest of his life? Explain. How does Emerson instill this importance in education in his own family?

Part 3) How important is education in your own family? Explain. How does this affect your daily actions and beliefs?

Children grew up fast in the nineteenth century.

Part 1) Describe one's childhood in the nineteenth century. Why did children grow up quicker? How different was Harvard at this time because of this? What other aspects of the Emerson family life reveal this speed in development?

Part 2) How is this race to adulthood connected to death at this time in history? Is this intimacy...