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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 is Emerson describing when he states: "In your metaphysics you have denied personality to the Deity: yet when the devout motions of the soul come ... they should clothe God with shape and color"?

2. Which of the following movements did Emerson NOT mention in his listing of "institutions"?

3. What does Emerson say is a conspiracy against manhood?

4. Who or what does Emerson say he is living his life for?

5. What does Emerson claim is the only thing that is sacred?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the quote "Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events" from paragraph 3.

2. In paragraph 38, Emerson explains the relationship between education and self-reliance. Describe this relationship.

3. After giving his example of "boys who are sure of a dinner" in paragraph 5, Emerson laments that adults cannot return to this neutrality. He explains what he believes would happen if we could. What does he believe would happen?

4. Why do other members of society "need" us to be consistent according to Emerson in paragraph 12?

5. Explain Emerson's problem with "the phraseology of some old mouldered nation in another country" as detailed in paragraph 22.

6. At the beginning of paragraph 9, Emerson states: "What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule ... may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness." What does he mean by that?

7. What does Emerson say in paragraph 29 about others having the power to annoy us?

8. Aside from the consequences faced within society, Emerson mentions in paragraph 12 one other factor that causes consistency. What is it?

9. In paragraph 10, Emerson gives a long account of exactly why he objects to conformity. His objection relates to personal "force" and the perception of character. Can you explain this objection?

10. Explain Emerson's comparison of the white man to the New Zealander.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Emerson's view of children and youth? Compare this with his view on adults within society.

Essay Topic 2

What does Emerson say the world has learned from its kings? Describe Emerson's view and give your own opinion on the subject.

Essay Topic 3

In paragraph 3, Emerson writes: "And we are now men, and must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny ... obeying the Almighty effort, and advancing on Chaos and the Dark." State and explain your opinion of this idea.

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