To understand Emerson we need to first understand his motivation.  Emerson is one of the most renowned American Transcendentalist.  Transcendentalism had its start in Germany with a philospher by the name of Kant.  With this Emerson drew much of his social and religious views.  Later on the other essays will describe more for Emersons grasp onto Transcendentalism, but Emerson took hold and became a leader in the New England movement.  By definition transcendentalism finds roots in its religious views in the human spirituality.  This idea went against the church attending staple of American culture that was this time in American history.  A time were one's spirituality was found in a regular attendance to church.  On the social front Transcendentalists were historically anti slavery.  In the other countries of foundation this was not a large issue.  Given the time of jump to America slavery was a hot issue with some of the leading speakers for transcendentalism being strongly against slavery.