How Did Ralph Waldo Emerson's Life Influence His Work
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson is probably the most influential figure in American literary history. He was responsible for shaping the literary style and vision of the American Romantic Period. Nowadays, when we think of Transcendentalism we think immediately of Emerson. We think of Emerson because transcendental thought is most clearly expressed in his writings.
As with all great writers, the events in Emerson's life have greatly influenced his thoughts. These events tell us why he believes the way he does. He was born on May 25, 1803 to a Unitarian minister (Johnson 132). His father, the Reverend William Emerson, was chaplain of the senate state. Being the son of a minister, Emerson lived a very sheltered childhood in Boston. His education …show more content…
began before he was three (Johnson 133).
He began his education in a nursery school and worked his ay up the stairs of education. Emerson's father died in 1811 and left him to take care of his mother and family (Unger 7). A year later, he began studying at the Boston Latin School. He studied there for the next five years until he made his final step up to a higher education. In 1817, Emerson entered Harvard College as the "President's messenger" (Johnson 133). Having this role at the college allowed him to have free room and board, making college much cheaper for his mother. Although he wasn't particularly interested in the subject, due to a great deal of pressure, he decided to study ministry. Throughout his four years of education at Harvard College, his aunt Mary Moody had convinced him to write poetry on subjects such as the victory of 1812. Because of his aunt's influence, Emerson became very interested in writing and began writing many essays on his beliefs. During Emerson's last years at Harvard College, his senior class became interested in the ideas of people of other countries and religions.
Many of them were greatly affected by the publications of German higher critics along with Hindu and Buddhist poetry. After his graduation in 1821, Emerson remarked on how he felt that college had done little for him on the whole (Unger 7). Emerson never stood out to his teachers appeal either. Because of his feelings of college, he never pursued education to any higher degree.
Soon after his graduation, Emersion went to teach at his brother Williams school for young ladies. In his journal entries after quitting his brother's job, he talked about how his two years working there were the worst two years of his life. He was soon on his way to Florida in order to cure his life-threatening tuberculosis. Because of the fact that tuberculosis was caused by pollutants coating the inside of the lungs, many people with tuberculosis traveled to remote places or visited spas to try and clear out the lungs. Upon his return from Florida, he became a preacher. In 1929, Emerson was ordained pastor of the Second Church of Boston (Unger7). In the same year he married Ellen Tucker, who died only two years later. Because of his wife's death, Emerson began to doubt the tradition of Christianity belief. It wasn't long before he resigned from his pastorate and traveled to England in order to recover strength and purpose. Upon his return to America, he became very actively engaged in the anti-slavery campaign. He also began his lectures and became a leader in thought and expression. After a few years Emerson remarried to a woman named Lydia Jackson. Lydia bore four children for Emerson, however, only three survived. Emerson lived many happy years after that, but his life slowly began to decline around him. In nearly one year he lost everyone in the world he cared about. His mother, his brother, and his eldest child all died in the same year. The 1860's brought the American Civil War; the death of many of his idols such as Lincoln, Thoreau, and Hawthorn (Unger 8). He himself began to slowly decline in the 60's. Toward the end of his life, Emerson suffered severely from loss of memory and often had troubles speaking. His home was lost to a fire and he eventually died on April 27, 1882 in Concord.
Being a founder of the Transcendentalist movement of America, he was also a shaper of a philosophy distinctly American. His ideas embraced optimism, individuality, and mysticism. In order to fully comprehend Emerson's writings, we should first try to follow what he has to say and what it means in the way he said it. Emerson's early writings were persuaded by two people who were both equally important to him. His grandfather, Ezra Ripley, and his aunt, Mary Moody, lead him in the direction of theology and moral meditation (Unger 8). Many of Emerson's works show a unique style; even in his earliest writings we can see this. Two of his earliest works, written between 1820 and 1821 while attending Harvard College, won the Bowdoin prize (Unger 8). By 1823, Emerson had already had his first essay, his first sermon, and his first lecture printed. By the age of twenty he had clearly found his own style, nowadays referred to as Emersonian style. His aunt, Mary Moody, had influenced him earlier in his life to experiment with poetry which he only tried twice in his life, both times being rather unsuccessful. After failing at his second attempt much later in life at the age of sixty-three, Emerson never again strayed from his original style of lectures and essays (Johnson 139).
Emerson was an American philosopher as well as poet. His philosophical journey began early in his life just after his first wife's death while on his journey through Europe. While in Paris, Emerson attended a botanical exhibition and officially became a naturalist. One of his greatest works, Nature, presents his thought in its most idealistic and optimistic views (Harris 274). Nature was actually a collection of lectures from his earlier times as a preacher. While being a preacher, Emerson preached nearly two-hundred sermons from his first at Waltham in 1826 to his ordination at Boston's Second Church in 1829 (Unger 10). Originally doing different sermons everywhere he went, Emerson began to dread the demands of Sunday and started reusing the sermons in different places in different styles. He somehow turned these sermons into arguable lectures such as his earliest notable lecture, "The American Scholar". He was soon giving many famous speeches on the problems of slavery, the war, and the nation's leadership. Emerson's views as a whole were rather simple. He had four word that explained the causes of the world; "commodity - how things are used and served; beauty - how their harmony is perceived in outline, color, motion, and grouping; language - how they are symbolized and signified; and discipline - how they are ordered and distinguished" (Unger 12). Emerson got these ideas form the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle but used more modern terms. Aristotle's words to explain how the world worked were classical causes, material, effective, formal, and final. "The American Scholar" and Nature were followed by numerous great essays and lectures by Emerson. Some most worthy to be taken note of are "Representative Men" (1850), English Traits (1856), The Conduct of Life (1860), and Society and Solitude (1870) (Harris 274-275). Society and Solitude, originally written in 1860, was revised in 1870 speaking out against the annexation of Texas and the fugitive slave law. Emerson's final three essays explain mans view of idealism, spirit, and prospects (Unger 12). Toward the end of Emerson's life, he tried to meet with scholars at Harvard College to express new ideas of science and intellect but was often unsuccessful.
Emerson's presentation of his ideas gives them that special, identifiable character unique only to him. "Self-Reliance", to most scholars, is probably his most famous essay. If we read the beginning of it, we may notice his style of expression. In this essay Emerson gives three main quotations to the effect that "man is his own star" (Unger 15). The entire beginning passage of "Self-Reliance" is particular and personal. He relates to you the reader or listener by saying things such as "I read" or "your own" (Unger 15). The opening passage is also general and confident in that he reassures the audience that no matter what, "the soul always hears". "Self-Reliance" is also suggestive and wide-searching. He speaks of "the trumpets of the Last Judgment" and of many great people such as Milton, Moses, and Plato. Emerson also recommends many things of his readers. He tells us to listen and speak to what your body and soul is saying. Another thing Emerson does very well that is rather unique to him is that he speaks figuratively to his audience. He refers to the "gleam of light" and mentions that things are more than the shine of the heavens (Unger 15). To many people, "Self-Reliance" is Emerson's greatest work.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was also a critic of other peoples work. One of the most famous letters ever written to an aspiring writer was actually written by Emerson himself to another writer. On July 21, 1855 Emerson wrote to Walt Whitman suggesting the complex idea that was actually the foundation for "Leaves of Grass" (Stovall). Emerson expresses to Whitman that "Leaves of Grass" is the "most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed" (Stovall). Emerson also expresses how he is greatly impressed by Whitman's fearless and open thought. Emerson's review of Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" is very encouraging to Whitman in that he tells Whitman that's he "greets him at the beginning of a great career", which Whitman actually ends up printing on the side of the second edition of this book (Stovall). Whitman also adds the entire letter in the second edition of his book.
Emerson's fame both at home and abroad is due mainly to one thing. Emerson had something to say and he said it. He said it in a way so beautifully that is keeps his best pages from ever growing old and becoming just a document of thought. Emerson's shining, energizing personality is still strong even today because of this.
Ralph Waldo Emerson is probably the most influential figure in American literary history. He was responsible for shaping the literary style and vision of the American Romantic Period. Nowadays, when we think of Transcendentalism we think immediately of Emerson. We think of Emerson because transcendental thought is most clearly expressed in his writings.
As with all great writers, the events in Emerson's life have greatly influenced his thoughts. These events tell us why he believes the way he does. He was born on May 25, 1803 to a Unitarian minister (Johnson 132). His father, the Reverend William Emerson, was chaplain of the senate state. Being the son of a minister, Emerson lived a very sheltered childhood in Boston. His education …show more content…
began before he was three (Johnson 133).
He began his education in a nursery school and worked his ay up the stairs of education. Emerson's father died in 1811 and left him to take care of his mother and family (Unger 7). A year later, he began studying at the Boston Latin School. He studied there for the next five years until he made his final step up to a higher education. In 1817, Emerson entered Harvard College as the "President's messenger" (Johnson 133). Having this role at the college allowed him to have free room and board, making college much cheaper for his mother. Although he wasn't particularly interested in the subject, due to a great deal of pressure, he decided to study ministry. Throughout his four years of education at Harvard College, his aunt Mary Moody had convinced him to write poetry on subjects such as the victory of 1812. Because of his aunt's influence, Emerson became very interested in writing and began writing many essays on his beliefs. During Emerson's last years at Harvard College, his senior class became interested in the ideas of people of other countries and religions.
Many of them were greatly affected by the publications of German higher critics along with Hindu and Buddhist poetry. After his graduation in 1821, Emerson remarked on how he felt that college had done little for him on the whole (Unger 7). Emerson never stood out to his teachers appeal either. Because of his feelings of college, he never pursued education to any higher degree.
Soon after his graduation, Emersion went to teach at his brother Williams school for young ladies. In his journal entries after quitting his brother's job, he talked about how his two years working there were the worst two years of his life. He was soon on his way to Florida in order to cure his life-threatening tuberculosis. Because of the fact that tuberculosis was caused by pollutants coating the inside of the lungs, many people with tuberculosis traveled to remote places or visited spas to try and clear out the lungs. Upon his return from Florida, he became a preacher. In 1929, Emerson was ordained pastor of the Second Church of Boston (Unger7). In the same year he married Ellen Tucker, who died only two years later. Because of his wife's death, Emerson began to doubt the tradition of Christianity belief. It wasn't long before he resigned from his pastorate and traveled to England in order to recover strength and purpose. Upon his return to America, he became very actively engaged in the anti-slavery campaign. He also began his lectures and became a leader in thought and expression. After a few years Emerson remarried to a woman named Lydia Jackson. Lydia bore four children for Emerson, however, only three survived. Emerson lived many happy years after that, but his life slowly began to decline around him. In nearly one year he lost everyone in the world he cared about. His mother, his brother, and his eldest child all died in the same year. The 1860's brought the American Civil War; the death of many of his idols such as Lincoln, Thoreau, and Hawthorn (Unger 8). He himself began to slowly decline in the 60's. Toward the end of his life, Emerson suffered severely from loss of memory and often had troubles speaking. His home was lost to a fire and he eventually died on April 27, 1882 in Concord.
Being a founder of the Transcendentalist movement of America, he was also a shaper of a philosophy distinctly American. His ideas embraced optimism, individuality, and mysticism. In order to fully comprehend Emerson's writings, we should first try to follow what he has to say and what it means in the way he said it. Emerson's early writings were persuaded by two people who were both equally important to him. His grandfather, Ezra Ripley, and his aunt, Mary Moody, lead him in the direction of theology and moral meditation (Unger 8). Many of Emerson's works show a unique style; even in his earliest writings we can see this. Two of his earliest works, written between 1820 and 1821 while attending Harvard College, won the Bowdoin prize (Unger 8). By 1823, Emerson had already had his first essay, his first sermon, and his first lecture printed. By the age of twenty he had clearly found his own style, nowadays referred to as Emersonian style. His aunt, Mary Moody, had influenced him earlier in his life to experiment with poetry which he only tried twice in his life, both times being rather unsuccessful. After failing at his second attempt much later in life at the age of sixty-three, Emerson never again strayed from his original style of lectures and essays (Johnson 139).
Emerson was an American philosopher as well as poet. His philosophical journey began early in his life just after his first wife's death while on his journey through Europe. While in Paris, Emerson attended a botanical exhibition and officially became a naturalist. One of his greatest works, Nature, presents his thought in its most idealistic and optimistic views (Harris 274). Nature was actually a collection of lectures from his earlier times as a preacher. While being a preacher, Emerson preached nearly two-hundred sermons from his first at Waltham in 1826 to his ordination at Boston's Second Church in 1829 (Unger 10). Originally doing different sermons everywhere he went, Emerson began to dread the demands of Sunday and started reusing the sermons in different places in different styles. He somehow turned these sermons into arguable lectures such as his earliest notable lecture, "The American Scholar". He was soon giving many famous speeches on the problems of slavery, the war, and the nation's leadership. Emerson's views as a whole were rather simple. He had four word that explained the causes of the world; "commodity - how things are used and served; beauty - how their harmony is perceived in outline, color, motion, and grouping; language - how they are symbolized and signified; and discipline - how they are ordered and distinguished" (Unger 12). Emerson got these ideas form the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle but used more modern terms. Aristotle's words to explain how the world worked were classical causes, material, effective, formal, and final. "The American Scholar" and Nature were followed by numerous great essays and lectures by Emerson. Some most worthy to be taken note of are "Representative Men" (1850), English Traits (1856), The Conduct of Life (1860), and Society and Solitude (1870) (Harris 274-275). Society and Solitude, originally written in 1860, was revised in 1870 speaking out against the annexation of Texas and the fugitive slave law. Emerson's final three essays explain mans view of idealism, spirit, and prospects (Unger 12). Toward the end of Emerson's life, he tried to meet with scholars at Harvard College to express new ideas of science and intellect but was often unsuccessful.
Emerson's presentation of his ideas gives them that special, identifiable character unique only to him. "Self-Reliance", to most scholars, is probably his most famous essay. If we read the beginning of it, we may notice his style of expression. In this essay Emerson gives three main quotations to the effect that "man is his own star" (Unger 15). The entire beginning passage of "Self-Reliance" is particular and personal. He relates to you the reader or listener by saying things such as "I read" or "your own" (Unger 15). The opening passage is also general and confident in that he reassures the audience that no matter what, "the soul always hears". "Self-Reliance" is also suggestive and wide-searching. He speaks of "the trumpets of the Last Judgment" and of many great people such as Milton, Moses, and Plato. Emerson also recommends many things of his readers. He tells us to listen and speak to what your body and soul is saying. Another thing Emerson does very well that is rather unique to him is that he speaks figuratively to his audience. He refers to the "gleam of light" and mentions that things are more than the shine of the heavens (Unger 15). To many people, "Self-Reliance" is Emerson's greatest work.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was also a critic of other peoples work. One of the most famous letters ever written to an aspiring writer was actually written by Emerson himself to another writer. On July 21, 1855 Emerson wrote to Walt Whitman suggesting the complex idea that was actually the foundation for "Leaves of Grass" (Stovall). Emerson expresses to Whitman that "Leaves of Grass" is the "most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed" (Stovall). Emerson also expresses how he is greatly impressed by Whitman's fearless and open thought. Emerson's review of Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" is very encouraging to Whitman in that he tells Whitman that's he "greets him at the beginning of a great career", which Whitman actually ends up printing on the side of the second edition of this book (Stovall). Whitman also adds the entire letter in the second edition of his book.
Emerson's fame both at home and abroad is due mainly to one thing. Emerson had something to say and he said it. He said it in a way so beautifully that is keeps his best pages from ever growing old and becoming just a document of thought. Emerson's shining, energizing personality is still strong even today because of this.