The American Scholar Essay

The Motivation of Ralph Waldo Emerson in the Speech The American Scholar Nearly two
hundred years ago Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered a speech to a group of Scholars, it was his
intention to motivate and inspire. He expressed his beliefs in a way that was objectionable to
some and encouraging to others. Each man was given a chance to examine his life and the life's of
their predecessors. Emerson shaped his speech, and bent the words around in a beautiful collage;
he quickly established a mood that was felt throughout the room. Scholars understood that he had a
very important message to deliver and they prepared for an address like no other. The speech is
difficult and abstract; on the first read it takes you in a million directions...show more content...
Nature is an important resource to the scholar because through classification our minds are
affected in an innovative way, we begin to learn. "To the young mind everything is unique, it
stands by itself" as we mature we begin to organize the result is classification. When used with
nature, classification helps us build and broaden our view of the world. This holds true for me
most when I take a walk into the woods and experience something new; I tend to experience it in
deeper and more stimulating way. Emerson explained that the spirit is within the world, it's within
every living person and thing no matter what category we classify it under. Opening our mind
allows outside influence to shape us, it generates new ideas and creates a never–ending source of
inspiration. There was a time when I felt that my opinion was best, I became closed–in and my way
of thinking was narrow. When I was introduced to a group of people who motivated me I became
creative and started to explore my world. During this time I decided to go back to college and make
a change in my life. Their successors taught by the book passing down the same traditions and beliefs
assuming there institution would continue unchanged. Emerson wanted to express that dedication,
honor, and trust was truly important. Keeping to the old ways and methods were essential to the
survival of
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The Trickster Tales And The American Scholar
American Literature is a symbolic role in the world and for the human mind. During this
semester we have read several pieces of American literature that are key points in the art of what
these authors were trying to input to other people's mind. In this essay I will be comparing and
contrasting two stories which will be "The Trickster Tales" and "The American Scholar". These
two pieces of art were chosen by me to write about because they opened my mind and fascinated
me with the author's creativity and intel they provided within the stories. The "Trickster Tales" was
a folktale with a protagonist in the tales, this folktale was told all over the world usually involving a
clever animal or person that would play tricks on the other characters....show more content...
Without the information that I have just given my reader, I believe modern day literature would not
be the same. Emerson and the Native Americans helped formed genres and intellect to literature
and without them doing this deed that they did, literature would not be the same. Stoked as I am
that I was able to read and gain knowledge about what life was like for Native Americans to make
stories like this and to know the purpose of The American Scholar, I just could not imagine what
American Literature would be like without these two

The American Scholar By Ralph Emerson
Imagine, someone waking up this morning conducting the normal routine; shower, drink coffee,
and watch the news. What will they see when they turn the television on? Protest, hate crimes,
and stock markets dropping. Okay, so now imagine a new world. In this world the same person
conducts the exact same routine only this time when they turn on the television they see a cure for
cancer has been found, 30,000 homeless people have been given a shelter, and the war is officially
over. Which scenario would the average person choose? The second one. If only there was a way!
But wait, there is! "The American Scholar" by Ralph Emerson is an essay that describes the process
and necessary traits of one man who could make a difference in the world. This man must become
one with nature, find a balance in literature and past, undergo labor and hardship and complete the
appropriate duties as outlined in the essay. Sounds easy, right? Think again! The theory of an
American scholar could be very beneficial, the concept, however, it is based off a very fine line that
has been set by a single man. Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones from "The Legend of Sleepy Hallow"
by Irving Washington will be used in the following paragraphs to show just how difficult it is for one
man to achieve the proper qualifications of an American Scholar but when combined could conquer
many problems. In order for man to conduct a peace treaty they must know how to conduct
themselves. One will understand thyself better upon

The Theme Of Individualism By Ralph Waldo Emerson
The theme of individualism is present in several of Ralph Waldo Emerson's works. It was also his
philosophical views on how to live life. He believed that human beings had remarkable
capabilities, more than they can possibly identify. With these capabilities a person should govern
themselves, not be governed by a society. Emerson also believed that nature played a large role in
how man should act and to follow nature's actions of growing without obstruction ("Nature"). This
is why he lead the Transcendentalism movement in the nineteenth century, along with Theodore
Parker, Frederic Henry Hedge, Amos Bronson Alcott, Margaret Fuller and Henry David Thoreau
(Lewis). This philosophy was not only significant then, it was imperative throughout times in
history. Emerson speaks of Americas ability to deviate from the norms set in Europe in one of his
formal speeches given in 1837 on August 31st in Cambridge. It was simply titled "The American
Scholar" (originally titled: An Oration Delivered before the Phi Beta Kappa Society, at
Cambridge, [Massachusetts,] August 31, 1837). He begins with speaking of how this gathering is
distinctive and is nothing like the ones of the past in Europe. He believes it is time to begin anew
as a new country of people. He believed that the society they were living in were only allowing
them to imitate with the majority and not allow them to be "Man Thinking". (Emerson, "The
American Scholar"). The only way to reflect on such a high level is to throw

Do you think if everyone went against your opinion and told you that you were wrong for it,
you'd change your mind? There's a man who did just that, named Ralph Waldo Emerson. He is
considered "The father of the American Literary Renaissance" (Lauren). Emerson went against
society's normal beliefs and views. He encompassed the ideas of nature and self reliance. Emerson
was criticized harshly by other authors about the views he expressed through his writings. In his
lifetime he became known as the most widely known man of letters in America. (Vince). Not only
was he criticized by other authors but society as well. A lot of people thought that he was strange for
his way of thinking. Emerson was a naturalist and transcendentalist who expressed his beliefs
through persuasive writing. Despite the thoughts of his critics, Emerson became a very well–known
author who is still influential today. Emerson was born on May 25th, 1803 in Boston
Massachusetts. He was the son of Ruth and William (Haskins) Emerson. His father William was a
clergyman; which ran in his family so it was pretty much expected for him to follow in their
spiritual footsteps. Emerson attended school at the Boston Latin School, Harvard University, and
the Harvard School of Divinity. After graduating from both Harvard schools he became a licensed
Priest in 1826 and was appointed to the Unitarian church in 1829. Also, in 1829 he married Ellen
Tucker. Ellen died two years later which made him question his faith and he

Transcendentalism : The American Scholar
Those Americans who have heard of American Transcendentalism associate it with the writers Ralph
Waldo Emerson and his friend Henry David Thoreau. Asked to name things about the group they
remember, most mention Emerson's ringing declaration of cultural independence in his "American
Scholar" address at Harvard's commencement in 1837 and his famous lecture "Self–Reliance," in
which he declared that "to be great is to be misunderstood"; Thoreau's two–year experiment in
self–sufficiency at Walden Pond and his advice to "Simplify! Simplify!"; and the minister Theodore
Parker's close association with the radical abolitionist John Brown. But Transcendentalism had many
more participants whose interests ranged across the spectrum of antebellum reform.[1]
To understand it fully, however, one must consider its origins. Transcendentalism's roots were in
American Christianity. In the 1830s young men training for the liberal Christian (Unitarian) ministry
chafed at their spiritual teachers' belief in Christ's miracles, claiming instead that his moral teachings
alone were sufficient to make him an inspired prophet.[2] Similarly, they rejected the widely
accepted notion that man's knowledge came primarily through the senses. To the contrary, they
believed in internal, spiritual principles as the basis for man's comprehension of the world. These
formed the basis of the "conscience" or "intuition" that made it possible for each person to connect
with the spiritual world. When man thus moved

Introduction– Greeting– Ralph Waldo Emerson starts out the American Scholar by letting the
audience know that they will not be discussing history like their European counterparts. He greets
everyone and stats that the meeting today is nothing like the ones in the past that were attended by
the Greeks during their Olympics, poetry contest in the Middle Ages, or like scientific academies.
He establishes that people today are too focused on physical labor instead of improving their
intellect and that America's dependence on Europe must soon end. His purpose is to advance the
idea of separating from European culture and literature so they can move into a new age. Topic–
After his greeting, he shares his topic for his speech to be on the American Scholar, and that he
wants to discuss the future of being a scholar. He wants everyone to remember the true duties of a
scholarly person and wants the audience to know that they should be able to what they want without
pressure from your peers or society because the reward greatly outweighs the risks involved. Fable–
Next, he establishes that God turned Man into men so that they may be more helpful, and compares
this usefulness to the hand being separated into fingers so that they are more useful to use. The
fable covers a new doctrine that says that there is One Man and that the whole man can be found in
all of society. He explains that one man gets separated into multiple men that each possesses their
own job way more efficient than if

Who Is Emerson's Essay The American Scholar
The contrasts between ideas, experiences, separation, and society are some of the key points of
Emerson's essay "The American Scholar." Throughout the essay, Emerson presents ideas regarding
various mindsets, collective societies, experience based knowledge, and the distribution of
knowledge. These ideas, while interesting to theorize about and ponder over, tend to be dull on their
own. However, the well–structured use of a scholarly and dignified tone helps to promote these
ideas effectively without the added effect of boring the audience. The tone of the essay is also
influential to the delivery of Emerson's ideas.
Yet, the primary issue with this tone is the ease of creating prominent contradictory statements.
Emerson does this often in the essay. As an example, in paragraph four Emerson is describing the
structure of "Man" as a collective representation or embodiment of society. Later, he contradicts this
statement multiple times in the passage by saying that the individual scholar should embody certain
elements. This is not the idea Emerson had originally stated about "Man," but rather an idea about
how an individual scholar can think similarly to a collective "Man." This contradicts the entire point
of his collective thought argument. If the scholar is not part of "Man," then the scholar is outside of
the collective thought of society....show more content...
One specific example is found in classroom groups in schools. Some students prefer to work alone
and represent delegated intellects. Some work in groups, where they can draw from the ideas and
experiences of others in a "Man Thinking" system. When ideas have to be presented or arguments
made, these "delegated intellects" tend to argue with "Man Thinking," which creates opposition.
Over time these arguments tend to shift toward "Man

2016
Ralph Waldo Emerson and his impact on American Literature
Up until the 1800's American Literature was mostly focused around the stories that told American
History, and of poems that were written in America with a European writing style. No one ever
wrote about the cultures in the Middle East or Asia. Instead it was focused around what had
happened over here. However, an American author namedRalph Waldo Emersonwould change
what America wrote about. Influenced by western Culture Ralph Waldo Emerson was a striking
author and speaker who impacted the Transcendentalist. Emerson was born on May 25, 1803 in
Boston Massachusetts (Ralph, Waldo Emerson). He was the son of Ruth Haskins a strong
Anglican, and William Emerson who was a strong liberal (The New Encyclopedia Britannica
pg.473). On May 12 1811 William Emerson died of stomach cancer (Myerson). This left Ruth to
care for her eight children with little money (Myerson). Luckily Ralph Emerson was able to
attend Boston Latin School in 1812, and graduated in 1817 (Myerson). Right after he graduated
from school, he went to Harvard at the age of fourteen (Ralph, Waldo Emerson). During this time,
he started to keep a daily journal in 1820 (Myerson). This journal was one of the first writings he
did in his life. A year later he graduated from Harvard, and started to teach at a young ladies school
in 1822 (Myerson). In 1825, he went back to Harvard to study theology and divinity (Myerson).
Later that year he became the minister

Emerson's Influence On Education
Obtaining the uttermost knowledge, wisdom and power has been an arms race since the inception
of mankind. However, the immense power every man holds and their inherent greatness is
shadowed by the exceptional men of the past. In spite of this, Ralph Waldo Emerson in "The
American Scholar" calls for libration of the dormant genius, or scholar, within each American.
Nature, books, and action are three most important influences upon the scholar, because depending
on an individual's exposure, or lack of exposure, to the influence determines what type of scholar
will emerge. Emerson explores the two distinct scholars: Man Thinking and the bookworm.
Although Emerson values all parts of mankind, of the two types of scholars, he reasons that Man
Thinking is the superior. Emerson valued the potential of each man to be a scholar. Emerson
explains that a bookworm is a person who comes short of Man Thinking. A bookworm "value[s]
books, as such; not as related to nature and the human constitutions, but as making a sort of Third
Estate," (Emerson 539). These individuals learn through books only and values scholarship over
all––unlike Man Thinking. On contrast, Man...show more content...
Emerson, agrees that books are of great use for research, scholarship and innovation, but they are
dangerous when over used. The bookworm, fixate all their thought on mere scholarship and ignores
the world. This type of person becomes passive and uncreative (Tracy). Acknowledging and
respecting accepted classics is crucial for the scholar, or the intellectual, which both the bookworm
and Man Thinking find important. However, "'Man Thinking' is a 'creative' reader, infusing the
knowledge gained from books with that gained by his own active contact with life and (here the
Transcendental impulse) with nature" (Tracy). A person can become a scholar, there's no doubt in
Emerson's mind, but the influences to person as a scholar seal their

The American Scholar By Ralph Waldo Emmerson
Transcendentalism 1. Stress placed on intuition, not logic: "The American Scholar" by Ralph
Waldo Emmerson "In the right state he is man thinking," states Ralph Waldo Emmerson. This
view of intuition is expounded upon in his paper "The American Scholar." He talks about the
division of man into men, but he also discusses the collection of all men into one Man. Viewing a
man as someone who does not fit into a single category, such as a farmer, office worker, or lawyer,
but as a completely prepared individual being, he understands that something is wrong with
society's view of the individual. Stated in his paper, an idea about society's role in the alteration of
Man's destiny is discussed. Emmerson believes that society has divided Man so that individuals are
broken from their human form. Likening it to separating parts of the body, he states that this kind of
"new" man is like a lone body part, incomplete without the rest of the body. He says, "The state of
society is one in which the members have suffered amputation from the trunk, and strut about so
many walking monsters – a good finger, a neck, a stomach, and elbow, but never a man." In his
essay, he summarizes his view of the state of humanity. Additionally, he stresses the importance of
intuition, not logic. Intuition, he believes, can transcend man into the being he was supposed to be.
Without the subdivision placed by society, be believes that all people will be able to contribute on a
greater and much more

Ralph Waldo Emerson's, "The American Scholar", was written to encourage American Scholars to
make their own American literature and academia that was no longer influenced by the outdated
traditions of Europe. In his writing Emerson uses metaphors and diction to support his strong theme
which is to call on American scholars to make their own ideas and cut their European ties of the past
I order to take action in fulfilling their societal duties as thinking men. In the beginning of his speech
Emerson begins to tell of a society of the past that was united and worked as one Man, each having
their specific and equally important job, but as society went on it separated from the working unit
into more individualizes specific purposes which then tore apart the unit and its efficiency. In his
speech Emerson states "But unfortunately, the original unit, this fountain of power, has become so
distributed to multitudes, has been so minutely subdivided and peddled out, that it is spilled into
drops, and cannot be gathered. The state of society is one in which the members have suffered
amputation from the trunk, and strut about so many walking monsters– a good finger, a neck, a
stomach, an elbow, but never a man" (1735), in this quote Emerson uses many metaphors to
describe the pitfalls of society today and what we need to return to. Emerson refers to society as a
"fountain of power" meaning that when working as a unit the society is powerful, but the fountain
has diminished into spilt

The two readings, What Is An American, by St. Jean de Crevecoeur, and, The American Scholar,
by Ralph Waldo Emerson, compare and contrast under the circumstances between nature and the
wilderness. These two texts outline the authors understanding of how nature and the wilderness
contribute to the American culture. Through Crevecoeur and Emerson's points of view, you are
able to distinguish the different ways in which their two views vary. Thus, Crevecoeur and
Emerson's views about nature back up their theories but are dissimilar in many ways. In
Crevecoeur's, What Is An American, he explains his views on nature. There is a distinct
connection between human growth and physical growth. He stated, "we are nothing but what we
derive from the air we breathe, the climate we inhabit, the government we obey, the system of
religion we profess, and the nature of our employment"(Crevecoeur 3). This proves that
Crevecoeur believes that the people of the new land need to flourish and develop with the land.
They are nothing more then the land they live on and in order to prosper they need to grow with
the land and the society as it establishes its new culture. When Crevecoeur states, "we are nothing
but what we derive from the air we breathe, the climate we inhabit"(3), he is mentioning how those
who choose to live away from society, are worth less than the people who live in the city. He
believes that if you migrate to this new land then you should contribute to society and become

Throughout "The American Scholar", Waldo Emerson uses logos to argue his point very clearly. He
steps you through his thought process and simplifies ideas down to a point to where is seems
unnecessary. He greatly uses logic to show his point very clearly and motivate his audience to
change their thinking about the subject.
Emerson's main strategy of using logos was to thoroughly explain steps through different logical
scenarios. Through his essay, he mentions nature,books,actions and how we learn from them. He
steps us through his thought process by starting with how "the first importance of the influences upon
the mind is that of nature" (Emerson,2) With this statement, he is trying convey how the very first
thing that we learn from, the first thing that influences our thinking is nature. He talks about how in
order for someone to learn from nature, "He must settle its value in his mind" (Emerson, 2). Before
you are able to learn something or take in information from a source, you must first oone you mind
to these new ideas. The biggest idea that can be learned from nature is that we are all one, we are not
divided. Emerson argues that "To the young mind everything is individual,stands by itself"
(Emerson, 2)Today we are all put into different jobs and separated from being a community. In
nature, everything is connected, nothing is separated from the rest of things. Emerson argues how
people need to see how "roots running under ground whereby contrary and remote things

Response to "The American Scholar" Essay example
Julia Mitri English 31 Novick 18 September 2011 Ralph Waldo Emerson's "The American Scholar"
Post– Reading Response In Ralph Waldo Emerson's 1837 address to the Phi Beta Kappa Society at
Harvard, called "The American Scholar", he makes clear his thoughts and ideas on the European
cultural and cerebral influence on America. Emerson wanted to get across that American scholars
needed to create their own independent American literature and academic world, separate from
European history. Emerson uses tone and style to further convey his ideas to the public. The tone
that seems constant throughout Emerson's entire address is a confrontational one. Emerson is
confronting the nation on its continuous grip on England and European ways. He...show more
content...
1(1)!" by Thomas L. Friedman. I'd have to say that I do agree with Friedman's argument much
more than Herbert's. Both of these writers were ultimately hitting at the same line of reasoning
but the way each approached it varied significantly. Herbert seemed to have a lot of anger
directed right towards my generation and I, I believe he is actually going against what Friedman
said by "assigning blame rather than assuming responsibility." I'm not saying that my generation
should escape the fault for this increasing issue but it's just not possible for us to be the sole
reason, we've got to dig deeper than blame. In Friedman's article he uses facts to reason his
thoughts, he doesn't just blame Lady Gaga or Snooki like Herbert did. Though each writer
approached the issue differently, each shared a common notion; the youth in America needs to
change When I first read Herbert and Friedman's articles I was instantly brought back to Emerson's
"American Scholar." While these arguments were addressing entirely different issues, they all
motivate the same proposal of change. In 1837 Emerson was persuading a nation to separate from
their comfortable ways and to become scholarly Americans that would enhance their country.
Emerson's idea was successful and is the base of what America still stands on. Today, we are back
to where we were 137 years ago, trying to motivate our country to take initiative and become
American Scholars. I

The American Scholar By Ralph Waldo Emerson
'The American Scholar' was a speech given to the Phi Kappa Beta Society by Ralph Waldo Emerson
in Cambridge on August 31st, 1837. At the time he gave the speech, it had only been 60 years since
the United States of America broke away from the British. The fledgling country underwent an
identity crisis. A distinctly American culture did not exist yet because the young nation still held
onto too many ties to Europe. Using his poetic skills, Emerson wanted to change that. With the
American Scholar essay, he wished to declare an intellectual Declaration of Independence from the
continent of Europe and create an ideal 'American Scholar' for the students of the time to strive
towards. The essay turned into a testament to American academics, and...show more content...
Another reason why I qualify for this position is that the world of nature constantly influences me.
Emerson states that "the ambitious soul sits down before each refractory fact; one after another,
reduces all strange constitutions, all new powers, to their class and law" (8). Obviously, he is
referring to science. I believe that civilized peoples have a duty to themselves to solve all of the
mysteries of nature that are possible to solve. Furthermore, whether I find that "geometry, a pure
abstraction of the human mind, is the measure of planetary motion," or I am the one who "finds
proportions and intelligible method through matter," (8), the importance of what I'm doing is that I
am expanding the realm of human knowledge. Because of the fact that nature influences me and so
many other scholars, it is my duty to further the human mission. Subsequently, I qualify because of
how I learn from books and the past. Emerson was adamantly disapproving of people who do not
think critically, stating that "Meek young men grow up in libraries believing it is their duty to
accept these views, which Cicero, which Locke, which Bacon, have given," stating that they are
"forgetful that Cicero, Locke, and Bacon were only young men in libraries, when they wrote these
books," (13). Specifically, he is saying that if someone picks up a book and read through, that person
then must then think over what they read.

Emerson's Influence On Education
After coupling Emerson's text with the notes from today's lecture, I see now that Emerson wanted to
find a way to bridge the divide between education and duties/labor of men and create a more cohesive
identity as American scholars. I now understand that the "American Scholar" represented mankind;
(man, women, young, old, etc.). Man's individuality is not restrictive, but rather inclusive in the
character of American society. Emerson explores the relationship between originality, and the
influences of the past. In doing so, he explains that in order to be creative one must not remain in a
monotonous state of being. Furthermore, creation is being "indicative of no custom or authority";
meaning free from governing traditions of past scholarships...show more content...
– "Man Thinking" is man that does not conform to societal expectation, rather is persuade of his own
convictions. (R) – The first reason Emerson gives is that this is a function of the whole of man. – In
order to reestablish the image of American culture with citizens functioning at their full potential to
be "Man Thinkers" and not "mere–thinkers." (para. 6–7). It is obvious that Emerson disapproves of
scholars that pattern themselves after past great thinkers, but I disagree. Emerson says himself that
when the mind grows dull (ceases to create), then consult books. By this, creativity is initiated by
tending to another thought. Take Plato for instance. He was a Greek philosopher who produced
great contributions in politics. Thus, to understand how to handle today may require a refresher of
old literature. There's an old saying that like nature, history repeats itself. I contrast to Emerson's
concern for the influx of influences of past authorities, he pays tribute to Swedenborg, Goethe, and
Carlyle, all of whom are academic giants not only by influence but by guiding the minds of more
recent thinkers (para. 42). Emerson makes his argument for man to return to his original state of
being creative and it can be done if it is attempted in retrospect to the contributions made by early

The American Scholar 'The American Scholar' was a speech given to the Phi Kappa Beta Society
by Ralph Waldo Emerson at Cambridge on August 31st, 1837. It has only been 60 years since the
United States of America broke away from the British, and the fledgling country underwent an
identity crisis. A distinctly American culture did not exist yet because the young nation still held
onto too many ties to Europe. Emerson wanted to change that. With the American Scholar essay, he
wished to declare an intellectual Declaration of Independence from the continent of Europe and
create an ideal 'American Scholar' for the students of the time to strive towards. The essay turned into
a testament to American academics, and in some cases, still holds up...show more content...
Another reason why I qualify for this position is that I am constantly influenced by the world
around me. Emerson states that "the ambitious soul sits down before each refractory fact; one
after another, reduces all strange constitutions, all new powers, to their class and law" (8.)
Obviously, he is referring to science. I believe that civilized peoples have a duty to themselves to
solve all of the mysteries of nature that are possible to solve. Furthermore, whether I find that
"geometry, a pure abstraction of the human mind, is the measure of planetary motion," or I am the
one who "finds proportions and intelligible method through matter," (8), the importance of what
I'm doing is that I am expanding the realm of human knowledge. Because of the fact that nature
influences me and so many other scholars, it is my duty to further the human mission. Third, I
qualify because of how I learn from books and the past. Emerson is adamantly disapproving of
people who do not think critically, stating that "Meek young men grow up in libraries believing it
is their duty to accept these views, which Cicero, which Locke, which Bacon, have given," stating
that they are "forgetful that Cicero, Locke, and Bacon were only young men in libraries, when they
wrote these books," (13.) What he means here is that if you pick up a book and read through, you
must then think over what you read. Everytime I read a book, I try my hardest to critically think

At American Scholar Outline Introduction: Ralph Waldo Emerson opens his essay by by first
recognizing the great literary year they have just had but the switching to a serious tone in
explaining how they have not all met just to have fun and play games but to bring to light the
idea that America cannot continue being apprentice "to the learning of other lands'' and cannot
continue to rely on "foreign harvist". Emersons purpose is to explain how Americans need to get
away from this idea and become more individualistic in that they should gather their own ideas
separate from Europe something similar to an American age of enlightenment. He also explains
how this so called literary renaissance or enlightenment should start with the scholarly people
who have a love for letters. Emerson introduces the American Scholar as not an actual individual
person but more as an idea or part that made up every person. He uses this concept of the
American Scholar because everyone their is scholarly so he hopes to explain how although they
might all be smart or scholarly they are only one part of this so called "one man" He later
continues this idea in which he explains how different things affect the scholarly side of a man.
Emmerson next includes a fable in which he explains how everyone makes up a part of "One
man" and how long go this one man was split up into each individual limb or part. Each part is now
just their individual priest and scholar and soldier, and these parts or limbs of

The American Scholar Rhetorical Analysis
In, "The American Scholar," Ralph Waldo Emerson talk about his displeasure about how societal
curriculum replicated person after another, in order to clarify that there are more efficient way to
become a successful scholar. In this essay, Emerson has made distinctions between the 'old world
thinking' of Europe and America. Emerson also thinks the American way should be new and
different from old word thinking. Along with this main point, Emerson believes an American
Scholar should be "Man Thinking," which means being more independent, and students should get
knowledge by their first hand experience through things such as nature, action, and books. In the
speech at Harvard University, Emerson's audience were a group of students from Harvard...show
more content...
At that time, American society were extremely influenced by old European culture, Emerson has
established a new way for young American scholar in order to change their mind of regard the
world. Passionate word choice could be a effective way because it can strike a chord with
Emerson's audience in time. Emerson has described " We do not meet for games of strength or
skill, for the recitation of histories, tragedies, and odes, like the ancient Greeks; for parliaments of
love and poesy, like the Troubadours; nor for the advancement of science, like our contemporaries
in the British and European capitals."(468). By using this example, Emerson strengthens his
opinion which is warning that people always get knowledge and information from European
material. This situation appeals to all scholar who study and work rely on others. With this
example, Emerson also uses repetition which including a lot of passionate words to engage his
audience by showing the feeling of the author mentions. "In this distribution of functions, the
scholar is the delegated intellect. In the right state, he is, Man Thinking. In the degenerate state,
when the victim of society, he tends to become a mere thinker, or, still worse, the parrot of others'
thinking." (Emerson 470) This example covering passionate and rhythmically word choice. In this
example, we can see that Emerson introduce his purpose which is "Man Thinking", in order to
clarify his mean point that individuals should not simply receive the knowledge of others. Emerson
also believe as a scholar, fraternity should absorb and recreate the knowledge understanding to build
there own credibility.The example, along with many others in Emerson's essay, speaks not only to
students from Harvard University but also gives example to warning all scholar. Therefore, Emerson
also said "Hence, instead of

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