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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

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 in the unity of the world-spirit.
(c) Both believed that religion was about to be reinvented for modern times.
(d) Both believed that the inner spirit took precedence over the Bible and external religion.

2. What was Emerson's first son's name?
(a) Henry.
(b) Edward.
(c) Charles.
(d) Waldo.

3. How does Richardson characterize the year 1834 in Emerson's life?
(a) The turning point.
(b) The year of transition.
(c) The year of wonders.
(d) The year of trials.

4. Where does Richardson say Emerson and his brothers got their most profound education?
(a) Their father.
(b) Ruth Haskins.
(c) Harvard.
(d) Mary Moody Emerson.

5. How was Emerson's 1837 speech at Harvard on the American Scholar received?
(a) With hostility.
(b) With celebration.
(c) With relief.
(d) With gifts.

6. Where did Emerson and Lidian settle down after marrying?
(a) Walden Pond.
(b) Cambridge.
(c) Boston.
(d) Concord.

7. What does Richardson say likely caused Emerson's eye problems?
(a) Stress.
(b) Tuberculosis.
(c) Migraines.
(d) Overwork.

8. Where did Emerson travel from South Carolina?
(a) Europe.
(b) Florida.
(c) New England.
(d) New York.

9. How does Richardson characterize the beginning of Emerson's relation with Margaret Fuller?
(a) Shaky.
(b) Wary distrust.
(c) Love at first sight.
(d) Instantaneous respect.

10. According to Richardson, what religious belief did Emerson turn toward while Ellen Tucker was dying?
(a) Calvinism.
(b) Pantheism.
(c) Methodism.
(d) Paganism.

11. How does Richardson characterize Emerson as a reader?
(a) Narrow.
(b) Impatient.
(c) Voracious.
(d) Temperamental.

12. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's second wife?
(a) Reserved and self-critical.
(b) Devout and lyrical but sometimes full of doubts.
(c) Wryly humorous and occasionally depressed.
(d) Tender and passionate but sometimes anxious.

13. How does Richardson describe Emerson as a young boy?
(a) Full of doubts.
(b) Talented and ambitious.
(c) Silly and unpromising.
(d) Self-critical and motivated.

14. What practice did Emerson begin in college?
(a) Sending money to his mother.
(b) Writing poetry.
(c) Holding dinner parties for intellectuals.
(d) Keeping a journal.

15. What trouble did the Emerson family encounter around the time of Emerson's engagement?
(a) His father died.
(b) His brother died of tuberculosis.
(c) His mother fell ill.
(d) His brother had a mental breakdown.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Emerson describe Ellen Tucker?

2. What influence does Richardson say has helped Emerson's writing?

3. In what movement does Richardson say was Lidian ahead of Emerson?

4. Who was Emerson reading at the time he fell in love with Lydia Jackson?

5. Who died in 1834?

(see the answer keys)

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