Unitarianism and Transcendentalism
Assignment Number Six
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Readings
Primary Sources
"The Transcendentalist" by Ralph Waldo Emerson*
"The American Scholar" by Ralph Waldo Emerson*
"Brahma" a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson*
"Each and All" a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson*
Secondary Sources
The Transcendental Philosophy of Nature**
American Transcendentalism and Ralph Waldo Emerson
Definition of American Transcendentalism
Background Readings on Unitarianism and Transcendentalism**
Ralph Waldo Emerson's Writings Available Online
The Assignment
Read the primary works by Ralph Waldo Emerson. These are designated by a star following the title of the work (*). Next, read the relevant background information offered in the secondary sources. The ones with the double star are very important; you will need to have a working knowledge of the other essays.
Just as you "proved" that Thomas Jefferson was a Deist, in this assignment you will "prove" that Ralph Waldo Emerson is a Transcendentalist. Here you will have to use Emerson's own words to support the ideas about Transcendentalism which you will find in the secondary sources. You are writing a definition paper supporting your central ideas with relevant passages from Emerson.
This paper should be between five and seven pages in length; once you understand Emerson, you should have no trouble quoting at length to support your ideas. Emerson's House
Since you are going to use online sources only, here is a relevant page about citing electronic sources.
Here is a quick guide to the MLA Documentation Format.
Emerson's House