Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882

Contributor:

Turpin, Edna Henry Lee, 1867-1952

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Essays" by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a collection of philosophical reflections and lectures written in the mid-19th century. The essays explore profound themes such as individualism, self-reliance, and the relationship between humanity and nature. Emerson's work is foundational to American transcendentalism and invites readers to consider the interconnectedness of life, thought, and the natural world. The opening of this collection provides substantial background on Emerson's life and influences, illustrating his growth from a reserved schoolboy to a prominent philosopher and public speaker. It outlines his educational journey, his brief tenure in the ministry, and his shift toward authorship and lectures after expressing ideas that challenged conventional religious thought. The narrative emphasizes Emerson's belief in the "American Scholar," a figure representing intellectual independence, responsible engagement with social issues, and a harmonious connection with nature, setting the stage for the significant philosophical themes found throughout the essays. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Introduction

The American scholar

Compensation

Self-reliance

Friendship

Heroism

Manners

Gifts

Nature

Shakespeare; or, The poet

Prudence

Circles

Notes.

Credits:

Curtis A. Weyant, Sankar Viswanathan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

Notes:

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essays_(Emerson)

Reading ease score: 70.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2005-09-04