Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson

by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edna Henry Lee Turpin

Overview

Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Essays" presents a cornerstone of American thought, exploring themes of self-reliance, nature, and the power of the individual intellect. Within these pages, Emerson delves into profound questions of human existence, dissecting societal norms and urging readers toward a life of authenticity and spiritual awareness.

From contemplations on friendship and love to investigations of universal spiritual laws, Emerson's essays offer timeless wisdom and guidance. His writing encourages a deep connection with the natural world and a relentless pursuit of self-discovery.

A vital contribution to literary criticism and philosophical discourse, "Essays" remains a powerful and influential work for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. This edition preserves the original text, offering a faithful reproduction of Emerson's enduring masterpiece.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781023117852
Publisher:	Anson Street Press
Publication date:	03/28/2025
Pages:	182
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.44(d)

About the Author

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-nineteenth century. Although he began his career as a Unitarian minister, he gradually moved away from the religious and social beliefs of his contemporaries, formulating and expressing the philosophy of transcendentalism instead. Seen as a champion of individualism and a prescient critic of the countervailing pressures of society, he disseminated his thoughts through published essays and public lectures across the United States.

Phil Paonessa is a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam era who works as an automotive industry project engineer, a public speaker, an actor, a voice actor, and, formerly, a local newspaper feature writer. The father of three adult children, he is a lifelong resident of Michigan, where he currently resides with his wife.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION LIFE OF EMERSON CRITICAL OPINIONS CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PRINCIPAL WORKS

THE AMERICAN SCHOLAR

COMPENSATION

SELF RELIANCE

FRIENDSHIP

HEROISM

MANNERS

GIFTS

NATURE

SHAKESPEARE; OR, THE POET

PRUDENCE

CIRCLES

NOTES

Editorial Reviews

Emerson’s Essays proclaim the self-reliance of a man who believed himself representative of all men since he felt himself intuitively aware of God’s universal truths. He spoke to a nineteenth century that was ready for an emphasis on individualism and responsive to a new optimism that linked God, nature, and man into a magnificent cosmos…Scholars have written innumerable articles and books attempting to account for Emerson’s influence—which continues to be profound—on American thought. If agreement is ever reached, it seems likely that it will involve acceptance of the claim that Emerson, whatever his value as a philosopher, gave stirring expression to the American faith in the creative capacity of the individual soul.”

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