Dual critique: “The American Scholar” and “The Poet”

Type :

Term papers

Pages :

6 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

04/06/2009

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Literature

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Summary :

Introduction
The most crucial quality of the American Scholar
Developing the image of an independent self
Mocking the ?herd' for their acquiescence in allowing themselves to be classified as such
A democratic vision in The Poet
Iimages of displacement
Nature is used as a symbol
The notion of a barrier that separates us from the universe
The most fundamental difference between the two essays
Reference

Abstract

Emerson begins "the american scholar" by declaring, "I accept the topic which not only usage, but the nature of our association, seem to prescribe to this day - the american scholar" (53). These opening lines are incredibly specific; the atmosphere in which he finds himself has formed the topic of his discourse. the prescriptive nature of his lecture, then, implies that no other topic would have been as pertinent as his is. As the address continues, Emerson guides the reader to a clearly defined picture of the american scholar: "In the right state, he is Man Thinking" (54). Just as this address establishes a currency in the opening paragraphs, so too does the american scholar. He is defined by his own thoughts, in that moment, discarding past thoughts or those of others. In this line, Emerson also reveals to the reader the availability of that relation to one's thought. He does not specify who may become the american scholar or, more significantly, who may not.