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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's internal state in 1837?
(a) Placid.
(b) Tumultuous.
(c) Self-critical.
(d) Self-assured.

2. What were Emerson's religious beliefs tending toward, at the time of his ordination?
(a) Certainty that divine grace is the only avenue to redemption.
(b) Certainty that the self provides the only access to divinity.
(c) Doubts regarding divine grace.
(d) Uncertainty about the nature of the divine.

3. What does Richardson say is the immovable anchor in Emerson's thought?
(a) That the mind is connected to everything.
(b) That individuality is divinity.
(c) That man can know God's mind.
(d) That the mind is unique in history.

4. How did Emerson describe Ellen Tucker?
(a) Strong-willed and supportive.
(b) Sensitive and religious.
(c) Rhapsodic and angelic.
(d) Beautiful, with a vibrant spirit.

5. How long did Ellen Tucker and Emerson know each other before they were engaged?
(a) Less than a year.
(b) Two years.
(c) Five years.
(d) Three years.

6. What topic did Emerson lecture on after returning home from Europe?
(a) Biography.
(b) Science.
(c) Literature.
(d) Religion.

7. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's exterior personality?
(a) Passionate.
(b) Turbulent.
(c) Calm.
(d) Outspoken.

8. Where did Emerson move, in advance of writing Nature?
(a) His step-grandfather Ezra Ripley's house.
(b) Mary Moody Emerson's house.
(c) His mother's house.
(d) His brother's house.

9. 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.

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

11. What did Emerson suffer in 1837?
(a) The death of his brother.
(b) The loss of his son.
(c) Economic troubles.
(d) The loss of his wife.

12. 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 the inner spirit took precedence over the Bible and external religion.
(d) Both believed that religion was about to be reinvented for modern times.

13. What limitation does Emerson describe in Christianity in his Divinity School Address?
(a) That historical Christianity is founded on the Bible, not human nature.
(b) That the church was corrupt.
(c) That priests were frequently hypocritical.
(d) That no institution can interpose between man and God.

14. What was Emerson's family's economic status when Emerson was in college?
(a) Wealthy and well-recognized.
(b) Poor and unknown.
(c) Poor but distinguished.
(d) Illustrious.

15. What was Emerson like as a student?
(a) Exceptional.
(b) Distinguished.
(c) Middling.
(d) Unsuccessful.

Short Answer Questions

1. What career paths was Emerson torn between?

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

3. According to Richardson, what religious belief did Emerson turn toward while Ellen Tucker was dying?

4. The Mind on Fire is the story of what?

5. How did travel in Italy affect Emerson?

(see the answer keys)

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