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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 does Emerson claim "statesmen and philosophers and divines" adore?

2. What does Emerson say he has difficulty detecting when people "maintain a dead church"?

3. What does Emerson think about being misunderstood?

4. What is Emerson suggesting with his mention of Joseph and his coat?

5. What is a hobgoblin?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Emerson feel about travel? Explain why.

2. At the beginning of paragraph 16, Emerson says that "of one will, the actions will be harmonious, however unlike they seem." Explain this quote.

3. In paragraph 14, Emerson portrays the relationship between consistency and being misunderstood. Explain this relationship.

4. Emerson states in paragraph 3 that "We are now men." What does he insist that we must do?

5. In paragraph 4, Emerson claims that nature has given us something specific to remind us of nonconformity. What is it? Explain.

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

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

8. In paragraph 11, Emerson explains what consequences one faces within society for nonconformity. What are they?

9. Explain the quote "Inasmuch as the soul is present, there will be power not confident but agent" from paragraph 26.

10. What does Emerson say about property?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In paragraph 25, Emerson writes: "When good is near you, when you have life in yourself, it is not by any known or accustomed way; you shall not discern the foot-prints of any other; ... the way ... shall be wholly strange and new." Explain what Emerson means by this and use this idea to describe what Emerson believes a life of self-reliance is like.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

In paragraph 26, Emerson says, "A man or a company of men, plastic and permeable to principles ... by the law of nature must overpower and ride all cities, nations, kings, rich men, poets, who are not." Explain what Emerson means by this quote and give your own opinion on this subject, backing your opinion up with specific arguments.

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