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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. What did Emerson say about communion in "The Lord's Supper"?

2. How is truth revealed, according to "Intellect"?

3. What seldom-acknowledged factor in coloring people's experience is a large part of everyone's life?

4. What is the function of art, according to Emerson?

5. The power of ______ lies in their ability to awaken us to the universal and timeless laws of man and nature.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Emerson define character? What analogy does he use in his definition?

2. According to "New England Reformers", what does a reformist attitude challenge?

3. According to "Circles", how must humans adapt to the constant state of change that exists?

4. According to "Compensation", how does nature maintain balance? How can one maintain balance on earth?

5. According to "Experience", why do most people not recognize the changes in their lives until they are looking in retrospect?

6. What does Emerson say about private enterprise in "New England Reformers"? Based on "New England Reformers", what political party is parallel to Emerson's views?

7. What are the categories Emerson divides the world into in his essay "Nature"?

8. What two major failings of the church does Emerson explain in "An Address"?

9. What happens when we admire someone, according to "Nominalist and Realist"?

10. What is transcendentalism, according to "Nature"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Emerson's view of Plato? Use evidence from his essay "Plato; or, the Philosopher" to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

Explain Emerson's view of the fine arts, focusing on art and poetry.

Essay Topic 3

Explain Emerson's relationship with Ezra Ripley, D.D.

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