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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 say boys don't worry about?

2. What does Emerson think about being misunderstood?

3. What does Emerson give as his reason for insisting that we "...must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny..."?

4. According to Emerson, what are heroes attended by?

5. What does Emerson suggest is required to withstand the "rage of the cultivated classes" and the "indignation of the people"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain the opening quote to Emerson's essay, "Ne te quaesiveris extra" and why he uses it.

3. Emerson explains in paragraph 8 why he believes men "do what is called a good action." Describe his opinion on this subject.

4. Emerson makes an important point about who or what one will see along the way "in the hour of vision" in paragraph 25. What does he say?

5. What does Emerson say about strength in numbers?

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

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

8. In paragraph 7, Emerson writes: "If I am the Devil's child, I will live then from the Devil." What point is he trying to make with this provocative claim?

9. In paragraph 6, Emerson compares society to a joint-stock company. Explain this comparison.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What was the Transcendentalist movement? How does the essay "Self-Reliance" relate to the movement?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Emerson's use of stylistic elements such as syntax, diction, pace, figurative language, tone, allusions, etc., and explain in which ways his style contributes to the feeling imparted by the essay.

Essay Topic 3

Explain Emerson's view of the advancement of society and give several supporting examples.

(see the answer keys)

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