For your next essay in English 111, you write about the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Your essay will consist of an analysis and interpretation of Emerson's ideas as expressed in his essays. In your introduction, you should tell the reader who the author of the essay is, what specific essay you are working on, and the particular topic within that essay you are choosing. You should focus on one essay, though you should feel free to make references to others that have similar ideas as the one you're focusing on.

At the end of the introduction, create a thesis statement. In that statement, you will express your views about what you believe Emerson is saying concerning the topic you've chosen--and your reaction to it. Bear in mind that I'm not interested in your views of the soul, education, religion, history, politics, and the poet. Rather, I'm interested in what you believe Emerson's views are--and your reactions to them.

To support your thesis, you should use selected passages from the text of the essays. Analyze those passages and comment about them. When you quote from the text, use the standard in-text citations and a works cited page. If you have doubts about how to do this documentation, consult your Hacker Handbook and/or visit my website on documentation.

Your essay should be a minimum of seven hundred words. If you are writing well and have good ideas, you may write as many as fifteen hundred words. Remember to use length as an indicator of development, not as an indicator of quality.

If you have doubts about what a thesis statement should do, go to the link on my website that deals with the thesis of a college essay.

Below, you will find some suggested topics for discussion. If you don't like any of the topics, feel free to choose your own. However, if you choose your own topic, I want you to clear it with me before you pursue it.

Topics

1) Throughout his essays, Emerson claims that society has virtually ruined religion, education, and politics. He believes that the American emphasis on conformity has created a "mob" out of the masses. In addition, he says that society "conspires against us" and that we need to rebel against these pressures of uniformity. He then says "I obey no law less than the eternal law." One could easily interpret Emerson's views as revolutionary, perhaps even encouraging anarchy. Argue what kind of a revolution you think Emerson is calling for against these agents of mediocrity and how he expects it to be accomplished.

2) In "The American Scholar" and "Self-Reliance," Emerson speaks accusingly about the past. He says that "the centuries are conspirators against the sanity and authority of the soul." What does Emerson mean by this statement--and others--about the past? Then argue what you believe he sees as the role of the past in our lives.

3) Emerson speaks often about the "soul." In various essays, he refers to it as the "universal soul," "the World Soul," and the "Over-Soul." Define what Emerson means by the "soul" (what is its essence?), and argue what you believe he thinks its role is in our lives.

4) Critics sometimes claim that Ralph Waldo Emerson captures the essence of the American character. If you believe that this is so, name the qualities that you think the American character is comprised of, and then argue that Emerson captures that character in his essays. If you disagree with the observation, then argue against it. No matter which approach you take, remember that you should provide a foundation in this essay of what the "American character" consists of.

5) In his essay "The Poet," Emerson puts forth an argument that the poet is the new prophet, the new Adam. What does Emerson mean by these claims? And how does he argue that such statements are valid, particularly in a society that is not usually known for its acknowledgement of its writers, particularly its poets?