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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What began to appear in America as a result of Charles Fourier's work?
(a) Communes.
(b) Organized unions.
(c) Poetry magazines.
(d) New style hats.

2. What was the focus of "The Dial" under Emerson's editorial leadership?
(a) Science and history.
(b) Literature.
(c) Culture and philosophy.
(d) Art.

3. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's feeling about the essay "The Poet?"
(a) He was afraid of the censure it would draw.
(b) He felt more uncertain of that essay than any other.
(c) He thought it was one of his best.
(d) He was afraid to believe in his own prophecy.

4. How many lectures did Emerson give over five months, in "Fame?"
(a) 73.
(b) 17.
(c) 128.
(d) 42.

5. How did Andrews Norton review Emerson's Dartmouth lecture?
(a) Bitterly.
(b) Jubilantly.
(c) Slyly.
(d) Harshly.

6. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's fame?
(a) Almost dangerous.
(b) Moderate.
(c) Semi-divine.
(d) Momentary.

7. What event threw Emerson into despair in 1840?
(a) Lidian's illness.
(b) The death of Mary Moody Emerson.
(c) The death of his son Waldo.
(d) The death of his brother Charles.

8. In what way did Emerson try to form a commune?
(a) He moved to Brook Farm part-time.
(b) He tried to interest others in buying shares in land to farm communally.
(c) He tried to get friends to move to his neighborhood.
(d) He helped utopianists make their plans for communes in New York.

9. To what cause does Richardson attribute Emerson's moodiness in advance of his trip to Europe?
(a) Correspondence with Margaret Fuller.
(b) Correspondence with Anna Barker.
(c) Correspondence with Thoreau.
(d) Correspondence with Caroline Sturgis.

10. Why did Emerson take over editorship of "The Dial?"
(a) Margaret Fuller resigned.
(b) The other editors asked Emerson to take over.
(c) It was Emerson's turn.
(d) The other editors asked Margaret Fuller to step down.

11. What does Richardson say is Emerson's last characteristic book?
(a) His book on England.
(b) The 1844 Essays.
(c) Representative Men.
(d) Essays 1844.

12. In what cause did Emerson involve himself?
(a) Preventing Cruelty to Animals.
(b) Indian affairs.
(c) Anti-slavery.
(d) Women's suffrage.

13. What did Emerson witness in Europe?
(a) Severe economic crisis.
(b) Revolutions in England and France.
(c) Famine and poverty.
(d) Modern warfare.

14. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's feelings?
(a) That he would never compensate for his losses.
(b) That he had no control over his life.
(c) That he had accomplished nothing.
(d) That he wanted more freedom than he had.

15. What world literature did Emerson include in "The Dial?"
(a) Poems.
(b) Scriptures.
(c) Histories.
(d) Accounts of ecstatic religious experiences.

Short Answer Questions

1. What brought Emerson to Europe?

2. What was the subject of Emerson's speech at Dartmouth?

3. What political contest was becoming serious after Emerson's return from Europe?

4. How does Richardson characterize "The Dial?"

5. What did Emerson praise in the essay based on Alec Therien?

(see the answer keys)

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