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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what moral did Emerson point in his use of great men?

2. What does Richardson say crowds expected from Emerson?

3. How does Richardson characterize Sufism?

4. How did Emerson see his personal history, according to Richardson?

5. In what way did Emerson try to form a commune?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Emerson's lecturing career.

2. How was Emerson's work changing as he reached his fortieth birthday, in Richardson's account?

3. Who was Jones Very?

4. What were Emerson's impressions of England when he traveled there in 1848?

5. Describe Emerson's son's death and its effect on him.

6. Who was Hafiz and what was his influence on Emerson?

7. How does Richardson characterize Emerson's fame?

8. How does Richardson describe Emerson's friendship with Thoreau after returning from England?

9. What was Emerson's relationship with "The Dial?"

10. Why, according to Richardson, was Emerson's mood dark while he was preparing for his lecture tour in England?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What were the two or three main points in the process by which Emerson became Emerson? Which moments were most important? Which does Richardson identify? Which do you think are most important, and why?

Essay Topic 2

Write a character sketch of the author based on his style and content. What values does he hold dear? What are his hopes and fears? What kind of person do you think he is? Anchor your sketch in passages in the book.

Essay Topic 3

What do you think the nature of Emerson's relationship with Margaret Fuller was? Were they romantically interested in each other, or were they platonic friends?

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