The central theme of Ralph Waldo Emerson's "The American Scholar
The American Scholar
"The American Scholar" was a speech given by Ralph Waldo Emerson on August 31, 1837, to the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard College at the First Parish in Cambridge in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was invited to speak in recognition of his groundbreaking work Nature, p…
What is the central idea of the American scholar?
This concept of the unity of all people and things in the universe is essential to understanding most of Emerson's work, particularly 'The American Scholar.' Speeches like this one from Emerson made him the central figure in a particular artistic and philosophical movement of the mid-19th century.
What is the main idea of the American scholar by Emerson?
The main idea of 'The American Scholar' is that through connection to nature, understanding of books, and action a man can become more educated. The American scholar must use self-direction to establish confidence and embark on creative endeavors. What was the purpose of Emerson's The American Scholar?
Where did the American scholar come from?
In 1841, he included the essay in his book Essays, but changed its title to "The American Scholar" to enlarge his audience to all college students, as well as other individuals interested in American letters. Placed in his Man Thinking: An Oration (1841), the essay found its final home in Nature; Addresses, and Lectures (1849).
What is the most important thing for scholars to do?
For Emerson, one of the most important things for scholars or any other member of the body to do, then, is to understand and appreciate what each part provides to the whole. And it's through this knowledge and appreciation that we truly begin to transcend ideas of separateness as nature intended.
Why is The American Scholar important?
They created poetry and books that were easier for all members of society to relate to and understand, and by following their example the American scholar could produce literature that would help unify their American audience.
What are the three influences on The American Scholar?
Still influenced by his preacherly habit of numbering the points of his discourse, Emerson divides this section of the essay with roman numerals to signal the three major influences: nature, books (or what Emerson calls "the mind of the Past"), and action.
What is Emerson message in The American Scholar?
In his speech, 'The American Scholar,' Emerson addresses the concern of intellectual integrity by outlining the influences on a scholar's mind nature, books, and actions, while also stressing the need for self-direction.
What is the tone of The American Scholar?
Emerson uses tone and style to further convey his ideas to the public. The tone that seems constant throughout Emerson's entire address is a confrontational one. Emerson is confronting the nation on its continuous grip on England and European ways.
What is the theme of the American Scholar?
Active Themes. The scholar, according to Emerson, is society’s “delegated intellect.”. If the American Scholar has achieved the “right state” then they become Man Thinking. If they have not achieved that state, then they become “a mere thinker, or still worse, the parrot of other men’s thinking.”.
Why is the scholar so immersed in the present?
This is because the scholar will be too immersed in the present to think about it with the same calm with which they think about the experiences of their childhood. Over time, however, the scholar will be able to look back on their experiences and be inspired by them to create something new.
What does Emerson mean by "the scholar must be able to look past the superficial and transitory"?
According to Emerson, the scholar must be able to look past the superficial and transitory, both in society (its “pretension”) and within themselves (fear). Beneath each of these things, however, is the opportunity for the scholar to expand their understanding of the human mind.
What is the life of a successful scholar similar to?
In this, the life of a successful scholar is similar to the “ebb and flow of the sea.”.
What is the theme of Emerson's "Frank Intercourse"?
Emerson states that “frank intercourse” with a variety of different people from different backgrounds will introduce the scholar to different forms of language that they can use to describe their particular experiences.
How does Emerson say that experience is converted into thought?
By taking an active part in society, the scholar will be introduced to experiences and emotions that will help them develop “eloquence and wisdom.”. According to Emerson, “experience is converted into thought” in a process that is continuously taking place within a scholar.
What does Emerson believe?
Emerson believes that “poetry will revive and lead in a new age in America,” thanks to the American Scholar. Emerson continues to challenge the pride of his audience by referring to America’s “sluggard intellect.”.
Why was Emerson's American Scholar important?
One of the main points behind 'The American Scholar' was for Emerson to help his audience, primarily scholars themselves, understand the scholar's role as part of the all-inclusive human body. If other members of that body are the legs and stomach, Emerson saw scholars as the intellect.
What was Emerson's role in the Scholar's Office?
The Scholar's Duties. Emerson thought the office of the scholar is to cheer, to raise, and to guide men by showing them facts amidst appearances. However, he also thought the only way one could do this was by living a self-directed life.
What did Emerson say about the state of the state?
In this oration delivered before the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Cambridge on August 31, 1837, Emerson stressed the idea that all individuals are really just parts of 'One Man,' similar to how individual limbs make up a single body. He considered the scholar as just one of these social 'limbs;' however, he also recognized that 'The state ...
What is Emerson's speech about?
In his speech, 'The American Scholar,' Emerson addresses the concern of intellectual integrity by outlining the influences on a scholar's mind nature, books, and actions, while also stressing the need for self-direction.
What did Emerson see as the most important influence on human thought?
He observed that we originally classify things in nature (i.e., biologically) as separate from one another. However, after dealing with these classifications for so long, Emerson found that our minds begin to see more and more common patterns between things we used to consider different, rendering any further classification unnecessary.
Who said "Do things how ever you want without having to worry about laws, rules, or other social pressures"
Nevertheless, renowned American thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson thought the rewards of going your own way far outweighed the risks - a notion central to his landmark speech, ' The American Scholar '.
Why is action the last influence on intellectual faculties?
The final influence on our intellectual faculties, action, is listed last for a reason, and that's because Emerson and others didn't find it nearly as important to thought. However, he did acknowledge that it is essential, focusing on the value of experiences in the life of a thinker.
Why did the American Scholar change its title?
In 1841, he included the essay in his book Essays, but changed its title to "The American Scholar" to enlarge his audience to all college students, as well as other individuals interested in American letters.
What was the name of the speech Emerson gave to Harvard?
Originally titled "An Oration Delivered before the Phi Beta Kappa Society, at Cambridge, [Massachusetts,] August 31, 1837," Emerson delivered what is now referred to as "The American Scholar" essay as a speech to Harvard's Phi Beta Kappa Society, an honorary society of male college students with unusually high grade point averages. At the time, women were barred from higher education, and scholarship was reserved exclusively for men. Emerson published the speech under its original title as a pamphlet later that same year and republished it in 1838. In 1841, he included the essay in his book Essays, but changed its title to "The American Scholar" to enlarge his audience to all college students, as well as other individuals interested in American letters. Placed in his Man Thinking: An Oration (1841), the essay found its final home in Nature; Addresses, and Lectures (1849).
The Perils of Dogma and Society
- Again and again in "The American Scholar," Emerson cautions his listeners against receiving other people's wisdom as truth rather than trusting their own judgment. He repeatedly warns of the danger of books smothering the intellect of a young scholar. He says they are taught to revere a…
The Necessity of Action
- Emerson strongly believes that scholars should not seclude themselves or confine their lives to purely intellectual pursuits. He believes everyone benefits from useful labor, not only in a practical sense but as part of the exercise of a healthy mind. Varied action will provide the scholar a variety of experiences from which to distill truth and wisdom, which will in turn inform correct and virtuo…
The Present Moment in America
- Emerson concludes "The American Scholar" with his analysis of the current moment in history, into which the Harvard scholars who compose his audience will be graduating. He considers the state of America to be very poor. American intellectual innovation does not flourish because the country looks to Europe and Britain for advancement and follows where they lead. Greed and bu…