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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was Emerson's response to the invitation to join Brook Farm?
(a) He joined.
(b) He never responded, but let the matter fall.
(c) He delayed.
(d) He declined.

2. How was Emerson received in Europe?
(a) He was treated as a curiosity.
(b) He was criticized.
(c) He was hardly noticed.
(d) He was treated as a celebrity.

3. What was Emerson's frame of mind on returning from Europe?
(a) Delighted, at the peak of his career.
(b) Disappointed, haunted by possibilities.
(c) Unhappy, almost angry.
(d) Filled with doubts about his philosophy.

4. Which of these concerns did NOT burden Emerson in 1847?
(a) Family matters.
(b) Health problems.
(c) Endless obligations.
(d) Financial problems.

5. What does Richardson say caused Emerson to become less innocent?
(a) Ellen's death.
(b) His marriage.
(c) Waldo's death.
(d) Getting older.

6. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's works after he turned forty?
(a) Darker.
(b) More relaxed.
(c) More confident.
(d) More mystical.

7. What does Emerson try to connect ecstasy to in his essay on ecstasy?
(a) History.
(b) Language.
(c) Nature.
(d) Sex.

8. Whose book impressed Emerson during his travels?
(a) Carlyle.
(b) Quetelet.
(c) Hegel.
(d) Margaret Fuller.

9. How did Margaret Fuller Ossoli die?
(a) Childbirth.
(b) Murder.
(c) Illness.
(d) Shipwreck.

10. What did Lidian name her first daughter?
(a) Lydia.
(b) Ellen.
(c) Mary.
(d) Ruth.

11. In what way did many of Emerson's friends affect him in the 1860s and 70s?
(a) By dying before him.
(b) By introducing him to new friends.
(c) By leaving him over time.
(d) By celebrating his accomplishments.

12. With what point of Goethe's did Emerson conclude his lectures on great men?
(a) That the times had changed, and human life would be something new from this point.
(b) That we must put what we know into practice.
(c) That we must find the middle path between action and meditation.
(d) That we have to honor tradition even as we innovate.

13. According to Richardson, what feeling would stay with Emerson for the rest of his life, after the Norton affair?
(a) The taste of public censure.
(b) The flush of success.
(c) Doubt about his talents.
(d) The pride of accomplishment.

14. For how long was Emerson the editor of "The Dial?"
(a) Two years.
(b) Six months.
(c) Three years.
(d) Four years.

15. What theme does Richardson say Emerson began to write about as he turned forty?
(a) Political resistance.
(b) Idealism.
(c) Isolation.
(d) Mysticism.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Emerson begin to write about after returning to America?

2. What did Emerson witness in Europe?

3. What was Emerson's hobby?

4. To what cause does Richardson attribute Emerson's moodiness in advance of his trip to Europe?

5. What does Richardson say crowds expected from Emerson?

(see the answer keys)

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