Welsh ENGL 227
EWelsh
Ralph Waldo Emerson has been called the father of American literature because of his exceeding ability to create a genre that is true to the nation we know today. He once said that "the idea which I approach and am magnetized by,--is my country." This passion is evident in all his works: poetry, sermons, and essays. Therefore, when broaching the subject of the creation of the American scholar, Emerson is a key factor in explaining the roots of our rich heritage. He will be used as a defining characteristic in our journey to explain who the American scholar is and how he set himself apart from the rest of the world.
Tomb and Womb: Reading Contexture in Emily Dickinson`s "Soft Prison"
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This is a picture of Ralph Waldo Emerson. This picture adds to the idea of the development of the American Scholar because he is known as the original American scholar. In the picture, Emerson is shown sitting at his desk, examining a paper. A fountain pen is seen in the background. This tells us that the scholar should keep his mind fresh by improving it with reading and writing. He is dressed nicely and his beard and hair are trimmed. He is attentive and well behaved. Therefore, the scholar should be a respectable member of society and dressed for success. The scholar is motivated and has the will power and dedication to succeed. He is smiling, but still focused. The scholar should be content with where he is at, but the preparation to better himself for the future. |
This article explains Emerson’s definition of the American scholar to include the characteristic of honesty. He states that “the ‘true’ scholar will not heed the ‘false expectations’ of others; he will ‘jump into another bush’ and ‘scratch’ his ‘eyes in again.’” From this statement, Emerson makes it very clear that he wants the Americans to have good integrity. He would like for writers to be honest with what they write, and not take credit for something that they have not done. This idea is also seen not quite a century before when the colonists became frustrated with
Edited by Ralph H. Orth and Alfred R. Ferguson
Belknap Press of Harvard University Press
http://www.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9831%28197211%2944%3A3%3C491%3ATJAMNO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-W&origin=thenines
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Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of the first people to publically believe in the possibility of individual progress. He personally debated this problem of progress during his lifetime for over fifty years. He found a great importance in the individual and how they related to the primacy of the moral law. Therefore, it was everybody's duty to progress for the good of the whole. The scholar should be constantly evaluating their progress and whether or not it was for the good of the whole. He said that the "ultimate triumph of the best race [is] by the sacrifice of everything which resists the moral laws of the world." Emerson viewed destiny as an opportunity have hope and faith to progress for the future. Even though he viewed the future as great importance, Emerson never forgot about the past. The past and present were incredibly important to guide to the future accomplishments. He viewed the best way to progress was through writing and that "ancient literary masterpieces had never been surpassed." Emerson loved the idea of the American dream, and building your way up out of nothing. However, he believed that a man should never be given any more power than he could handle, and nothing could be more dangerous than too much power. He set a standard for men to work towards, and believed the true American scholar was ever-searching for the ability to be at one with moral nature.
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Emerson and the Idea of Progress
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This article explains that the American scholar can be powerful without being too assertive. For example, Ralph Waldo Emerson was "half ruefully viewed as genteel, murky, passive/pacifist, and dreamy or detached." However, millions of Americans respected him both in his time and posthumously. Emerson was able to prove his point and educate the public without being a tyrant. His view of the American scholar was that the scholar should teach and educate, but not force others to listen or make his opinion the only opinion that mattered. In a world today surrounded with war and militant philosophy, it is nice to see a time when an exemplary member of society put its worth in the beauty of moral unity. The American scholar is a person to be admired. He is a mentor. He leads by example.
By Michael Lopez
Northern Illinois University Press
http://www.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9831%28199803%2970%3A1%3C178%3AEAPCAI%3E2.0.CO%3B2-K&origin=thenines
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Tomb and Womb: Reading Contexture in Emily Dickinson`s "Soft Prison"
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This essay compares the writing of Emily Dickinson to that of Ralph Waldo Emerson. It explains how Dickenson and other writers post-Emerson followed guidelines originally set forth by Emerson. They have followed in the footsteps in hope of achieving the honorable status of an American scholar. In this essay, the characteristic that the scholar diligently works towards is the ability to edit their work. Emerson is said to have "circle[d] around a word or image repeatedly over the breadth of a body of writing, [and to have] redefine[d] the word/image/concept, sometimes providing a complementary definition and sometimes a contradictory one." He showed determination in his work and took pride in what he wrote. He stressed that "every sentence is doubly significant" and the need to compose a piece that deserves to be studied. He did not take his work lightly. This determination to perfect his writing is a key asset in the development of the American scholar. The scholar does not simply write something and move on. They cull through their words to create a masterpiece. Otherwise, they would just be writers, not scholars. |
This article explains Emerson's view on politics, and how the ideal scholar would relate to politcs. Emerson believed that his own "habitual view is to the well-being of students or scholars. And it is only when the public event affects them, that it very seriously touches [him]." This means that he would not stick his nose into each and every decision, but only advise when gravely needed. When there was a debate over the general knowledge of the nation, he would lend his expertise and sort out the matter. He urged for his scholars to "engage more actively with social events." This is because the scholar would be more educated and able to deal with the concerns of the nation. They would be able to logically think out and consider the options that are available. They would not jump to conclusions or make hasty decisions that could later put the nation into a state of turmoil. They are able to set a good example for more people to see and model their life after being in a position of authority.
Merton M. Sealts Jr.
University of Missouri Press
http://www.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9831%28199306%2965%3A2%3C366%3AEOTS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X&origin=thenines
The American scholar was created as a moral example in nineteenth century society. His education taught him how to lead by example and to live honorably. The scholar encompassed many different attributes. He could not become a scholar over night or by completing a certain amount of school work. Instead, the scholar was developed over time and was never finished with learning. He bettered himself through reading and self-reflection. Becoming an American scholar was a way of life that could only come to the truly dedicated and futurist men.
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