Emerson Questions
Questions for Discussion
7.) As a reader, who is a female, his gender bias does not affect how receptive I am to Emerson’s ideas. I believe that all of the ideas he states using masculine pronouns, are too applicable to women and girls. I can relate to and understand his ideas. I believe that men are no more intelligent than girls, or girls are no more intelligent than boys. We are equally intelligent and capable of most of the same things. In the third paragraph, Emerson states a variety of skills that “he” may excel in, but that does not limit these skills to just males. Females are just as likely as men to excel in these same areas. He also states, “He can learn anything which is important to him now that the power to learn is secured.” Again, with this statement, I believe that females can learn anything that is important to them and interests them. In my eyes, not only are these two ideas applicable to women, but all of Emerson’s ideas are. Perhaps that is because I began reading this piece with a mind that already believed that males and females are equally intelligent when it comes to education.
Although I believe that the fact Emerson used masculine pronouns does not affect the way I approach his ideas, it may affect others. To avoid this, I think that he should not have used masculine pronouns and instead used something such as, “students,” and then referred to students as, “they.” Perhaps he used masculine pronouns for a reason. This was written in the 1800s. Schools back then were generally male based, so maybe that is the reason as to why he only refers to males instead of both, males and females.
8.) I think the adult the Emerson imagines would emerge from an education based on the principles he supports is intelligent and successful. If students able to guide what they want to do with a little bit of assistance, then they will be likely to learn and interested in what they do making them more intelligent and successful rather than if they are
7.) As a reader, who is a female, his gender bias does not affect how receptive I am to Emerson’s ideas. I believe that all of the ideas he states using masculine pronouns, are too applicable to women and girls. I can relate to and understand his ideas. I believe that men are no more intelligent than girls, or girls are no more intelligent than boys. We are equally intelligent and capable of most of the same things. In the third paragraph, Emerson states a variety of skills that “he” may excel in, but that does not limit these skills to just males. Females are just as likely as men to excel in these same areas. He also states, “He can learn anything which is important to him now that the power to learn is secured.” Again, with this statement, I believe that females can learn anything that is important to them and interests them. In my eyes, not only are these two ideas applicable to women, but all of Emerson’s ideas are. Perhaps that is because I began reading this piece with a mind that already believed that males and females are equally intelligent when it comes to education.
Although I believe that the fact Emerson used masculine pronouns does not affect the way I approach his ideas, it may affect others. To avoid this, I think that he should not have used masculine pronouns and instead used something such as, “students,” and then referred to students as, “they.” Perhaps he used masculine pronouns for a reason. This was written in the 1800s. Schools back then were generally male based, so maybe that is the reason as to why he only refers to males instead of both, males and females.
8.) I think the adult the Emerson imagines would emerge from an education based on the principles he supports is intelligent and successful. If students able to guide what they want to do with a little bit of assistance, then they will be likely to learn and interested in what they do making them more intelligent and successful rather than if they are