Emerson

How does Emerson define "genius"?

• To have all of the knowledge in the world

• To believe your own thoughts and follow your intuition

• To practice generosity

• To become acquainted with the natural world

What is the point of the comparison Emerson makes between the kernel of corn and human effort?

• You must work hard to nurture vegetable crops, just as you must work hard to achieve your potential.

• People cannot survive without food, so we must all work very hard. 

• As corn grows slowly, so it takes a long time for people to realize their potential. 

• A kernel of corn is very small and hard to see. In a similar way, our potential is often hidden and hard to see.

What is Emerson’s overall perspective on society?

• Society helps people achieve their potential.

• We must accept society’s rules.

• Society is all that stands between us and the forces of chaos.

• Society conspires to deny people their individual freedoms.

Emerson states that the most sacred part of a person is —

• the work that they accomplish

• the integrity of their individual mind

• their courage to be a nonconformist

• the shadow that they cast on the world

According to Emerson, what is the key to self-reliance?

• Rely on others for guidance and support.

• Doubt oneself and seek validation from others.

• Conform to societal norms and expectations.

• Trust oneself and follow one's own instincts and beliefs.

What is the main theme of Emerson's Self-Reliance?

• Authority and obedience

• Collectivism and collaboration

• Individualism and self-trust

• Conformity and dependence

What does Emerson mean by 'Trust thyself'?

• One should never trust their own abilities and instincts and always rely on the opinions or judgments of others.

• One should always doubt their own abilities and instincts and rely solely on the opinions or judgments of others.

• One should trust others' abilities and instincts more than their own and not rely on their own judgments.

• One should have confidence in their own abilities and instincts, and not rely too heavily on the opinions or judgments of others.

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

• saved

• a genius

• intelligent

• misunderstood

Emerson says we are “ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents" (1). Which of the following items best describes what he means by “that divine idea”?

• An image of the world

• God

• Each person’s unique character, as conceived by God

• A wonderful and exciting plan of action

The tone of Emerson’s essay is best described as —

• neutral

• despairing

• uplifting

• gloomy