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Test your knowledge of The American Scholar. Submit your answers to see your results and get feedback.
At the beginning of his 1837 speech at Harvard, what does Emerson highlight?
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The country's impressive academic achievements
The lack of substantial achievements in the American academy
The immediate need for a new pedagogical approach at Harvard
All of the above
What does Emerson suggest about the American intellectual landscape?
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He suggests that the country is too dependent on other countries' intellectual achievements
He suggests that the American intellectual landscape has plateaued after years of impressive progress
He suggests that the country will never achieve intellectual success
He suggests that the American intellectual landscape is full of narrow-minded thinkers
What method does Emerson use to motivate his audience in his speech?
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He criticizes America's lack of financial prowess
He praises America’s current intellectual achievements
He challenges the audience's pride to provoke a response
He promises the audience financial rewards for their achievements
What does Emerson suggest about individuality and society in his discussion of the "old fable"?
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That individuals are inherently independent and self-sufficient
That society functions best when everyone has distinct and separated roles
That men are more helpful to the gods than to each other
That the collective society is needed to understand the full nature of an individual
What does Emerson critique about the distribution of roles in society?
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The focus on individual specialization has led to a disconnected society
The roles are unevenly distributed based on skill level
Individuals have too many roles to manage effectively
Society has successfully managed the division of labor
According to Emerson, what would help society function to its full potential?
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The unification of people from different specialties and social classes
Collaboration between the members of the working class
The total divestment from a capitalist mindset
Creativity when it comes to solving problems
What does Emerson refer to when he mentions the scholar as society’s “delegated intellect”?
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A scholar who relies only on established knowledge
A scholar who embodies the ideal of "Man Thinking"
A scholar who represents the collective intellectual efforts of society
A scholar who prefers solitary study over societal interaction
What are the characteristics of "Man Thinking," as described by Emerson?
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Someone who creates and shares new ideas for the betterment of society
Someone who strictly adheres to societal norms and expectations
Someone who recites knowledge learned from others without understanding
Someone who isolates themselves to deepen their own thoughts
According to Emerson, why is nature particularly interesting to the scholar?
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Because it provides a source of endless exploration
Because it mirrors the scholar’s own spirit
Because it is more interesting than human inventions
Because it is unaffected by human activities
What does Emerson imply is the benefit of classifying nature for the scholar?
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It shows that everything in nature exists in isolation
It helps in identifying the chaos in natural laws
It limits understanding to only the most obvious and superficial traits
It reveals the underlying law that connects natural elements
What role does studying nature play in the development of scholars, according to Emerson?
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It isolates them from the broader societal contexts
It helps them understand themselves and inspires creative output
It discourages them from engaging in the arts and literature
It prepares them exclusively for scientific pursuits
According to Emerson, how do books influence the development of a scholar?
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They serve only as "historical records" with no contemporary relevance
They provide a "temporary diversion" from scholarly pursuits
They "restrict" the scholar's ability to think independently
They perpetuate the "immortal thoughts" of past scholars
What does Emerson suggest each generation should do regarding literature?
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Preserve and study only the classics
Ignore past works to focus solely on future advancements
Create their own works that reflect their own era and experiences
Replicate the styles and themes of previous generations
According to Emerson, what negative impact does over-reliance on past books have on scholars?
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It limits scholars’ creativity and reduces their output to mere commentary
It causes scholars to value their own ideas over those of the past
It encourages scholars to focus only on modern ideas
It leads scholars to abandon books altogether in favor of practical experience
How can scholars read books "well," according to Emerson?
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By strictly adhering to the ideas presented by past great minds
By critically analyzing and thinking independently about the content
By focusing solely on books written in their own time
By avoiding books entirely to promote original thinking
What purpose do "periods of solitude" serve in Emerson's view of reading books?
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They are only for those who do not understand the books they read
They are meant for rest and avoidance of intellectual activity
They encourage scholars to isolate themselves permanently from society
They provide a space for independent thought and self-recovery
According to Emerson, what significance does finding common thoughts in old literature have?
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It's an example of the clichés that continue to resurface in literature
It diminishes the value of contemporary writings
It suggests that literature is incapable of evolving further
It highlights the timeless unity among human beings
Why does Emerson consider books important, despite his previous warnings?
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Because they provide necessary mental nourishment and inspiration
Because they are the only sources of knowledge
Because they contain detailed accounts of historical events
Because they should be memorized to enhance scholarly reputation
What does Emerson believe is the primary duty of colleges?
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To ensure students memorize and recite information accurately
To teach students how to think critically and use facts creatively
To focus only on teaching practical skills for employment
To discourage students from engaging with books
What does Emerson identify as a crucial aspect of a scholar's development?
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Avoiding interaction with practical men
Focusing solely on theoretical studies
Engaging in practical action to benefit society
Staying within one's academic comfort zone
Why does Emerson encourage scholars to work with practical men?
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To avoid the hazards associated with theoretical work
To gain new experiences and understand different perspectives
To eventually convert to being practical men themselves
To prove the superiority of speculative knowledge
How does Emerson suggest a scholar's life experience can be assessed?
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By their participation and action in society
Through their ability to recite historical facts
Through the number of books they have read
By their preference for solitary study
Why does Emerson believe a scholar cannot fully think about their actions while they are happening?
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Because thinking about actions requires external validation
Because they lack the necessary real-world practicality to understand their actions
Because actions are inherently trivial and not worth thoughtful consideration
Because they are too emotionally involved in the moment to be objective
According to Emerson, what is required for a scholar to find meaningful experiences?
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They must adhere strictly to their initial beliefs and biases
They should avoid any experiences that challenge their newly developing ideas
They need to be open and receptive to new perspectives
They need to isolate themselves from societal influences
What does Emerson suggest about the evolution of language in society?
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It remains static and unchanged across different classes and times
It should be controlled to maintain linguistic purity
It is dictated by formal education and rarely changes
It trickles up from everyday usage to academic recognition
What is the "final value" of action, according to Emerson?
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To stimulate thought through real-life experiences
To provide a break from academic work
To completely replace the need for scholarly reading and writing
To focus solely on physical activities
How does Emerson describe the ideal cycle of a scholar's life?
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Interacting with society until these interactions become second-nature
Remaining isolated to focus on writing with very occasional social distractions
Alternating between periods of solitary work and active participation in society
Constantly engaging in physical labor while getting lost in thought
How does work like farming benefit the scholar, according to Emerson?
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It requires complex social interactions
It allows for natural behaviors and thoughts free from societal constraints
It provides a break from intellectual activities
It enforces traditional societal roles and behaviors
In Emerson's view, why might scholars not achieve immediate fame or recognition?
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Because they focus on ideas that do not produce immediately tangible results
Because their work is too complex and boring
Because they are often isolated and disconnected from society
Because their studies are too aligned with popular trends
What does Emerson suggest is the true comfort for scholars in their work?
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Understanding the "societal benefits and recognitions" they receive
Knowing they are fulfilling the "highest functions of human nature"
Basking in the financial rewards from their "literary productions"
Feeling the immediate impact of their "good works" on society
What does Emerson advise scholars to focus on in their work?
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Current societal trends and popular arts
Immediate financial and governmental gains
Achieving a state of undisturbed self-satisfaction
Fundamental truths about humanity and the world
What does Emerson suggest about the nature of "spontaneous thoughts"?
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They reflect an individual's true nature and are relatable to others
They are usually irrelevant to the general populace
They should be kept private and not shared publicly
They are often too radical for academic discussion
What does Emerson think scholars should do when they encounter something they fear?
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They should ask themselves why the fear it and then pursue a different line of inquiry
They should consider whether their fear is in keeping with the feelings of the general population
They should confront their fear and explore it in detail until they understand it
All of the above
What does Emerson criticize about some people's view of the world?
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The notion that modern scholars should focus solely on the present
The idea that ancient scholars were misguided in their conceptions of the world
The belief that the world is incapable of improvement and that learning has ended
The belief that societal change is unnecessary and potentially harmful
What problem does Emerson think has affected society in his era?
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People have started to strive too aggressively for personal advancement
People have become too individualistic and reject any form of leadership
People have started to focus too much on innovating and not enough on tradition
People have become too complacent and content to follow rather than lead
What does Emerson describe as a "false good"?
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The pursuit of art and literature
The focus on money and power
The emphasis on domestic issues in culture
The pursuit of education and knowledge
What does Emerson mean by the human mind being like a "central fire" or light that "beams out of a thousand stars"?
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It indicates that the human mind is capable of generating limitless ideas and insights
It suggests that the human mind is a volatile and unpredictable power
It implies that the human mind should focus solely on ideas from the past
It means that the human mind is inherently flawed and needs constant reinforcement
According to Emerson, what role do scholars play in relation to the "central fire" of the human mind?
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They must strictly preserve the ideas of the past without change
They should discourage new interpretations or challenges to established ideas
They need to focus on teaching the exact ideas they learned without any personal input
They are responsible for keeping it alive through critical thought and adaptation of ideas
What does Emerson suggest about the division of time into Classic, Romantic, and Reflective ages?
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Each age is distinct and unrelated to the others
Humanity and individuals also pass through these phases
Only societies experience these phases
The Reflective age is entirely disconnected from the previous ages
What does Emerson see as missing in American society in the first half of the 19th century?
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A stable and effective government
Scientific advancements and contributions
Economic stability and growth
A distinct literary voice to define and guide American identity
Why does Emerson value literature that portrays "the near, the low, the common"?
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It reveals the uglier side of human nature and enables people to confront their shortcomings
It speaks truth to the most people and helps unite the nation
Neither A nor B
Both A and B
What does Emerson suggest is the source of genius in poets like Goldsmith, Burns, Cowper, Goethe, Wordsworth, and Carlyle?
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Their inspiration from everyday life and the experiences of ordinary people
Their focus on the glamorous and remote aspects of human existence.
Their ability to write about complex and abstract concepts that are difficult to grasp
Their use of sophisticated language that appeals to the educated upper classes
What contribution does Emerson credit to Emanuel Swedenborg?
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Discrediting the connection between nature, the soul, and spirituality
Highlighting the importance of individualism over collective experience
Establishing a significant relationship between nature, the soul, and the divine
Focusing solely on the scientific understanding of nature without spiritual implications
What is unique about Emerson's view of the individual?
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Emerson promotes the importance of the individual as a means of improving the collective
Emerson disparages individualist culture while also celebrating solitude and independent reflection
Emerson sings the praises of individualism but warns against letting anyone become too powerful
Emerson is skeptical of individualist mindsets but recognizes the financial and political benefits of individualism
Why does Emerson criticize the American Scholar's reliance on European influences?
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He believes it has led to America's demise
He argues that it has destabilized America's political ties to Europe
He feels it has made American scholars become recklessly innovative
He thinks it has prevented America from achieving true cultural independence
What does Emerson suggest is the problem with the "mind" of America?
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It is overly focused on high intellectual and cultural pursuits
It is consumed by its reliance on confusing intellectual traditions
It is limited by a lack of principles and the motivation to improve
It has become complacent because of its resounding success as an innovative country
What, according to Emerson, will unify America and create a "nation of men"?
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The universal recognition of a "Divine Soul" that transcends division through literature and art
The continuation of "lively debate" in the realm of literature and art
The dominance of scientific discovery and technological advancement over "petty concerns"
The strict adherence to traditional European social structures and "cultural precedents"
