First published in the 1844 edition of Essays, “The Poet” contains Emerson’s thoughts on what makes a poet, and what that person’s role in society should be. He argues that the poet is a seer who penetrates the mysteries of the universe and articulates the universal truths that bind humanity […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of The Poet About The PoetSummary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist Glossary
Transcendentalism A religious, literary, and philosophical movement in New England between 1836, when Emerson published Nature, and 1844, when The Dial — the publishing entity of the transcendental movement — ceased publication. Influenced by Unitarianism, transcendentalists denied the existence of miracles, preferring a Christianity that rested on the teachings of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist GlossarySummary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist Paragraphs 15-30 – The Solitary Transcendentalist
Following this general discussion of the characteristics and history of transcendentalism, Emerson now focuses his attention on contemporary transcendentalists. He notes the existence of intelligent and idealistic people who have withdrawn from urban society to live solitary, unproductive lives. Capable of great artistic achievement, these isolationists are afflicted with a […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist Paragraphs 15-30 – The Solitary TranscendentalistSummary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist Paragraphs 6-14 – Examples and Shortcomings of Transcendentali
In this second section, Emerson relates idealism to transcendentalism. The transcendentalist, he says, is wholly self-absorbed and experiences a mystical understanding — uncontaminated by rules or dogma — of the universe. Emerson cites a passage from Shakespeare’s Othello, in which the dying Desdemona lies about Othello’s murdering her; the lie, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist Paragraphs 6-14 – Examples and Shortcomings of TranscendentaliSummary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist Paragraphs 1-5 – Materialism versus Idealism
What people refer to as “transcendentalism” is really the long-known philosophy called idealism. Throughout history, people have been either materialists or idealists, a distinction that Emerson outlines with a list of contrasts between materialistic and idealistic ways of thinking. Materialists demand facts and evidence; idealists live a more spiritual life, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist Paragraphs 1-5 – Materialism versus IdealismSummary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist About The Transcendentalist
Originally delivered in January 1842 as a lecture to an audience at the Masonic Temple in Boston, “The Transcendentalist” was first printed in The Dial, the literary magazine devoted to the transcendentalist movement. It was then included in Emerson’s 1849 Nature; Addresses, and Lectures. In the essay, Emerson offers a […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of The Transcendentalist About The TranscendentalistSummary and Analysis of Self-Reliance Glossary
Ne te quaesiveris extra Latin, meaning “Do not seek outside yourself.” In other words, “Look within.” Beaumont, Francis (d. 1616) An English dramatist, he co-authored all of his major works, including The Maides Ragedy (1611), with John Fletcher. Fletcher, John (1579-1625) An English dramatist best known for his collaboration with […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of Self-Reliance GlossarySummary and Analysis of Self-Reliance Paragraphs 33-50 – Self-Reliance and Society
In the final third of “Self-Reliance,” Emerson considers the benefits to society of the kind of self-reliance he has been describing. His examination of society demonstrates the need for a morality of self-reliance, and he again criticizes his contemporary Americans for being followers rather than original thinkers. Condemning the timidity […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of Self-Reliance Paragraphs 33-50 – Self-Reliance and SocietySummary and Analysis of Self-Reliance Paragraphs 18-32 – Self-Reliance and the Individual
The second section of “Self-Reliance” offers more suggestions for the individual who wants to achieve the desirable quality of self-reliance. Emerson begins with a directive: “Let a man then know his worth, and keep things under his feet.” Material objects, especially those that are imposing — Emerson cites magnificent buildings […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of Self-Reliance Paragraphs 18-32 – Self-Reliance and the IndividualSummary and Analysis of Self-Reliance Paragraphs 1-17 – The Importance of Self-Reliance
Emerson begins his major work on individualism by asserting the importance of thinking for oneself rather than meekly accepting other people’s ideas. As in almost all of his work, he promotes individual experience over the knowledge gained from books: “To believe that what is true in your private heart is […]
Read more Summary and Analysis of Self-Reliance Paragraphs 1-17 – The Importance of Self-Reliance