CliffsNotes on

Emerson's Essays

Search this CliffsNote

Ralph Waldo Emerson Biography

Life and Background
Chronology of Emerson's Life

Nature: Analysis and Original Text

Introduction to the Essay
The Introduction
Chapter 1. Nature
Chapter 2. Commodity
Chapter 3. Beauty
Chapter 4. Language
Chapter 5. Discipline
Chapter 6. Idealism
Chapter 7. Spirit
Chapter 8. Prospects
Read the Original Text
Glossary

"The American Scholar": Analysis and Original Text

Introduction to the Essay
Paragraphs 1–7. "Man Thinking."
Paragraphs 8–9. The Influence of Nature.
Paragraphs 10–20. The Influence of the Past.
Paragraphs 21–30. The Influence of Action.
Paragraphs 31–45. The Scholar's Duties.
Read the Original Text
Glossary

"The Over-Soul": Analysis and Original Text

Introduction to the Essay
Paragraphs 1–3. Introduction.
Paragraphs 4–10. The Over-Soul Is Defined.
Paragraphs 11–15. The Soul and Society.
Paragraphs 16–21. Revelation.
Paragraphs 22–30. The Soul and the Individual.
Read the Original Text
Glossary

"Self-Reliance": Analysis and Original Text

Introduction to the Essay
Paragraphs 1–17. The Importance of Self-Reliance.
Paragraphs 18–32. Self-Reliance and the Individual.
Paragraphs 33–50. Self-Reliance and Society.
Read the Original Text
Glossary

"The Transcendentalist": Analysis and Original Text

Introduction to the Essay
Paragraphs 1–5. Materialism versus Idealism.
Paragraphs 6–14. Examples and Shortcomings of Transcendentalism.
Paragraphs 15–30. The Solitary Transcendentalist.
Read the Original Text
Glossary

"The Poet": Analysis and Original Text

Introduction to the Essay
Paragraphs 1–9. The Poet as Interpreter.
Paragraphs 10–18. The Poet, Language, and Nature.
Paragraphs 19-29. The Poet and Imagination.
Paragraphs 30–33. The Poet and America.
Read the Original Text
Glossary

Critical Essays

Trancendentalism
Emerson, Unitarianism, and the God Within
Emerson's Use of Metaphor

Study and Homework Help

Full Glossary for Emerson's Essays
Quiz
Review Questions and Essay Topics

Cite this Literature Note

CliffsNotes To Go Sweepstakes -- Enter Now to Win an iPod touch Loaded with Cliffs Study Apps

Did "New Moon" change your allegiance to the Twilight characters?

Still Team Edward
Still Team Jacob
Switched from Team Edward to Team Jacob
Switched from Team Jacob to Team Edward
I still cannot decide!

View Results

"Self-Reliance": Analysis and Original Text

Read the Original Text

So use all that is called Fortune. Most men gamble with her, and gain all, and lose all, as her wheel rolls. But do thou leave as unlawful these winnings, and deal with Cause and Effect, the chancelors of God. In the Will work and acquire, and thou hast chained the wheel of Chance, and shalt sit hereafter out of fear from her rotations. A political victory, a rise of rents, the recovery of your sick, or the return of your absent friend, or some other favorable event, raises your spirits, and you think good days are preparing for you. Do not believe it. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.

Read the Original Text: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
CliffsNotes® To Go
Literature reviews for the iPhone™ & iPod touch® help you study anywhere, anytime.
Learn more now!
The Ultimate Learning Experience!
WATCH the film and READ the lit note for a fast way to study!
Learn more!