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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. Who were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation?

2. What was man born to be, according to "Conduct of Life"?

3. What would Carlyle do if elected to Parliament, according to Emerson?

4. What age did Napoleon usher in that the West had yet to recover from, according to Emerson?

5. What kind of success did Napoleon focus on?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Emerson say a truly clever man accumulates wealth? What examples does Emerson give?

2. How does Emerson describe the English as a people?

3. Explain Emancipation Day, which was the inspiration for "Emancipation in the British West Indies".

4. In "Abraham Lincoln", what does Emerson say about Abraham Lincoln, particularly in regard to his presidency?

5. Describe Emerson's two trips to England, including the year for each, which led to his writing of "English Traits".

6. What is the purpose of "Ezra Ripley, D.D."? Where was it presented?

7. Explain the events that led to John Brown's death.

8. What does Emerson think of Daniel Webster? Why?

9. By what kind of poetry was "The Problem" inspired? What kind of rhyme does it use throughout?

10. What significance does "Walden" have to Emerson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role slavery plays in Emerson's writing.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of nature in Emerson's writings.

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