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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through The Inner Light.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In what way did Emerson share a faith with Mary Rotch and the Quakers?
(a) Both believed in the necessity of deep and prolonged religious study.
(b) Both believed that the inner spirit took precedence over the Bible and external religion.
(c) Both believed in the unity of the world-spirit.
(d) Both believed that religion was about to be reinvented for modern times.

2. How did the event described in the Prologue change Emerson's life?
(a) His religious beliefs took him away from the church.
(b) He gave up his independence and settled down.
(c) He secluded himself to write his first work.
(d) He retreated into solitude.

3. Who did NOT join Emerson where he was writing in 1834?
(a) His brother William.
(b) His mother.
(c) Mary Moody Emerson.
(d) His brother Charles.

4. In what religious sect was Edward Taylor active?
(a) Baptist.
(b) Calvinist.
(c) Unitarian.
(d) Shouting Methodist.

5. What was Emerson's relationship with his reading?
(a) He tried to inhabit each author's mind.
(b) He tried to claim the experiences contained in each book.
(c) He tried to remain independent of what he read.
(d) He tried to lose himself in his reading.

Short Answer Questions

1. What career paths was Emerson torn between?

2. How did Emerson change after opening Ellen's casket?

3. Where in his career was Emerson, in the scene Richardson describes in the Prologue?

4. What publication did Emerson call a "living leaping Logos"?

5. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's feelings about the changes he made after Ellen's death?

(see the answer key)

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