“Nature”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Introduction
1. What does Emerson claim about the age
that he lives in? Use at least one quote to
help explain your thoughts.
2. Explain how Emerson sees the universe
and man’s place in the universe. Use at
least one quote to help explain your
thoughts.
I. Nature
1. How does Emerson view the role of
nature in the world?
2. How should nature affect man? Use at
least one quote to help explain your
thoughts.
3. Look at the quote on 592: Emerson says
that he “become[s] a transparent
eyeball.” What the heck does he mean by
that?? How is that related to the
experience of nature??
IV. Language
• What is the purpose of language,
according to Emerson?
VII. Spirit
1. What is Emerson’s understanding of
“spirit”? How does it affect nature/
inform the actions of humans?
2. Why can’t we fully understand this
“spirit”?
VIII. Prospects
• How should we study nature? What does
Emerson say is the best path to understand
nature? Use at least one quote to explain
your answer.
• What is wrong with the way that man views
the world (in Emerson’s time and opinion)?
What happened that caused this fall of grace?
How can man better himself? Use at least one
quote to explain your answer.
A Challenge!
• Now you have seen one tract of how to be
a Transcendentalist, create your own
definition of what Transcendentalism is.
– What do Transcendentalists believe? What do
they do? What do they hold dear?