Call it a CliffsNote, not Cliff Note or Cliffs Note. If you're looking for the original literature study guide series, then you've come to the right place.
Default Cover Image

Emerson's Essays

Ralph Waldo Emerson

CliffsNotes on Emerson's Essays contains an introduction, commentaries, the original text, and glossaries for six of Ralph Waldo Emerson's best known essays — "Nature," "The Poet," "The American Scholar," "Self-Reliance," "The Transcendentalist," and "The Over-Soul" — all from the most highly esteemed period of his writing. Emerson's major essay themes include transcendentalism, his search for the perfect relationship with God, and his use of the metaphor.

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

Take the Quiz What is the central argument of Nature?
  1. Nature should be respected above all else.
  2. Nature teaches man the proper use of nature -- to transcend it.
  3. Nature is the physical representation of the spirit of man.
  4. Man must transcend Nature to find truth.
Quiz
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!