Ralph Waldo Emerson Nature

Most Transcendentalists were involved in other movements including anti-slavery and the women's rights movements

• True

• False

Complete the following quote: "To be great is to be...." (From Emerson's Self-Reliance)

• saved

• a genius

• intelligent

• misunderstood

American Romantic writers rejected rationalism (the Enlightenment or Age of Reason) because they believed that-

• logic is dumb

• intuition and imagination yield greater truths

• scientific thinking wasn't fully developed

• popularity as a poet was important.

Emerson says nature wears the colors of ... 

• autumn 
• man's spirit 
• childhood 
• vegetables 

In the woods Emerson finds ... 

• lots of fish & game 
• trees one can talk to 
• a peaceful place to write 
• love & the joy of youth 

In “Nature,” what element of nature does Emerson find particularly effective in inspiring deep respect and a sense of solitude?

• the stars

• the flowers

• the woodlands

• the mountains

What does Emerson say would happen if stars appeared only one night in a thousand years?

• People would be terrified.

• People would believe and adore.

• Men would live in harmony.

• Scientists would study them.

How does Emerson view nature according to his work "Nature?" (please select all that apply)

• Only children can truly see the beauty and importance of nature.

• Humans and nature have a powerful and harmonious relationship.

• Nature can heal any ailment - physical or emotional

• Belonging to society is more important than being in nature.

What is Emerson’s overall purpose in his essay?

• to argue that people’s feelings about nature are more important than nature itself

• to defend the idea that only children can see nature as it really is

• to explain why insight is needed to fully appreciate nature

• to consider whether it is foolish for humans to believe they can comprehend nature

What does Emerson mean when he says: " In the woods too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough"?

• Man can shed his sordid past like a snake shedding its skin

• Man can become trapped in nature if he is too engrossed with it.

• Nature can make people feel younger (shedding years like a snake shedding skin)

• Man can age a lot in nature (like snakes shed skin as time goes on)