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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 kind of friendship does Emerson prefer?

2. What is the direction of nature and human consciousness?

3. Who sees through appearances and trends to seize life and speak truth?

4. What does Plato's concept of the dichotomy of the body and soul provide the foundation for, according to Emerson?

5. How is the soul different from the physical body, according to Emerson?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to "Nature", what is the role of nature?

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

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

4. What does Emerson think of Plato, according to "Plato; or, the Philosopher"? What indicates this?

5. According to "Heroism", where does Emerson say people should find examples of true heroism? What is heroism the product of?

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

7. According to "The Poet", what is the effect of poets speaking the truth? How do poets speak the truth?

8. According to "Manners", what people are permitted latitude in their manners?

9. According to "The Over-Soul", what is the over-soul? What happens when individuals come together for the purpose of spiritual growth?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of English romantic poetry on Emerson's writing, including a definition of romantic poetry in your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Explain Emerson's view of the rite of communion in Christianity. Include the Biblical evidence he uses in his essay, "The Lord's Supper", to support your claims.

Essay Topic 3

What is the purpose of "Selected Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson"? What do you learn about Emerson by reading it?

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This section contains 740 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample