CliffsNotes on

Emerson's Essays

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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

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"The Over-Soul": Analysis and Original Text

Paragraphs 11–15. The Soul and Society.

Emerson now focuses on how the Over-Soul unites people and manifests itself in society. He asserts that God's spirit is present in our every conversation: "In all conversation between two persons, tacit reference is made as to a third party, to a common nature. That third party is not social; it is impersonal; is God." This presence is also evident in groups of people, who, once recognizing its presence, act more nobly.

The theme of accessibility plays a key role in this common bond between us. Because each person possesses an individual soul that is part of the Over-Soul, all people — "the greatest person with the lowest" — are aware of God when speaking with one another. The soul acts as our intermediary, but we do not mention this bond when we converse, perhaps because language cannot satisfactorily describe its existence.

Touching on an important point that he discusses at greater length in "Self-Reliance," Emerson implores us to "act entirely," without consideration of what society thinks. We should act on our thoughts before they are filtered through society's demands for normalcy and consistency. Although God exists in every one of us, society's pressures cause us to behave differently and unnaturally than God would have us act; this disparity creates a rift between our souls and the Over-Soul, which does not give partly of itself-as does the person who is afraid of inconsistency — but wholly.


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