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  1. What “admonition” does Ralph Waldo Emerson refer to in the second sentence? What does he mean?

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    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What “admonition” does Ralph Waldo Emerson refer to in the second sentence? What does he mean?
  2. What are the rhetorical strategies that Emerson uses in the first paragraph of “Self-Reliance”? Identify three examples and explain their effects.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What are the rhetorical strategies that Emerson uses in the first paragraph of “Self-Reliance”? Identify three examples and explain their effects.
  3. Paragraph 3 begins with a direct address: “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.” What does this metaphor mean, and how does it serve as an apt introductory phrase for what follows in paragraphs 3 through 6?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Paragraph 3 begins with a direct address: “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.” What does this metaphor mean, and how does it serve as an apt introductory phrase for what follows in paragraphs 3 through 6?
  4. What analogies does Emerson employ in paragraphs 4 and 5? Select one of them and explain how it helps Emerson develop his ideas.

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    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What analogies does Emerson employ in paragraphs 4 and 5? Select one of them and explain how it helps Emerson develop his ideas.
  5. “If I know your sect, I anticipate your argument” (par. 10), writes Emerson. What does he mean? How might his idea apply to society today?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - “If I know your sect, I anticipate your argument” (par. 10), writes Emerson. What does he mean? How might his idea apply to society today?
  6. Emerson writes, “These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God to-day” (par. 16). What does he mean? How does the image of the roses contribute to Emerson’s main idea?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Emerson writes, “These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God to-day” (par. 16). What does he mean? How does the image of the roses contribute to Emerson’s main idea?
  7. Emerson criticizes what he calls “our age” (the early to mid-nineteenth century) (par. 23). To what extent do Emerson’s observations apply to life in “our age” today?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Emerson criticizes what he calls “our age” (the early to mid-nineteenth century) (par. 23). To what extent do Emerson’s observations apply to life in “our age” today?
  8. How do Emerson’s juxtapositions in paragraph 27 contribute to the selection as a whole?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How do Emerson’s juxtapositions in paragraph 27 contribute to the selection as a whole?
  9. What analogy does Emerson develop in paragraph 29? Explain how it contributes to his argument.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What analogy does Emerson develop in paragraph 29? Explain how it contributes to his argument.
  10. One prominent feature of Emerson’s writing is his use of short and dense paragraphs that may be regarded as key passages—for example, paragraphs 9, 14, 16, 20, 21, 27, and 31. Select two that appeal most to you. How does Emerson use rhetorical strategies to develop his ideas in those paragraphs?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - One prominent feature of Emerson’s writing is his use of short and dense paragraphs that may be regarded as key passages—for example, paragraphs 9, 14, 16, 20, 21, 27, and 31. Select two that appeal most to you. How does Emerson use rhetorical strategies to develop his ideas in those paragraphs?
  11. Emerson is well-known for his pithy, timeless, epigrammatic statements—for example, “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string” (par. 3), “No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature” (par. 7), “If I know your sect, I anticipate your argument” (par. 10), “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” (par. 14), “To be great is to be misunderstood” (par. 14), “The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet” (par. 27), “They measure their esteem of each other, by what each has, and not by what each is” (par. 30), and “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles” (par. 31). Select two of these statements and discuss the extent to which they apply to our life and time. Be specific in your discussion.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Emerson is well-known for his pithy, timeless, epigrammatic statements—for example, “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string” (par. 3), “No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature” (par. 7), “If I know your sect, I anticipate your argument” (par. 10), “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” (par. 14), “To be great is to be misunderstood” (par. 14), “The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet” (par. 27), “They measure their esteem of each other, by what each has, and not by what each is” (par. 30), and “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles” (par. 31). Select two of these statements and discuss the extent to which they apply to our life and time. Be specific in your discussion.
  12. In the penultimate paragraph, Emerson discusses man’s attitude toward property:

    They measure their esteem of each other, by what each has, and not by what each is. But a cultivated man becomes ashamed of his property, ashamed of what he has, out of new respect for his being. Especially he hates what he has, if he see that it is accidental,—came to him by inheritance, or gift, or crime; then he feels that it is not having; it does not belong to him, has no root in him, and merely lies there, because no revolution or no robber takes it away.

    Do you agree with what Emerson says of the “cultivated” man? Defend or challenge his remark, using your observation and experience to support your position.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In the penultimate paragraph, Emerson discusses man’s attitude toward property:They measure their esteem of each other, by what each has, and not by what each is. But a cultivated man becomes ashamed of his property, ashamed of what he has, out of new respect for his being. Especially he hates what he has, if he see that it is accidental,—came to him by inheritance, or gift, or crime; then he feels that it is not having; it does not belong to him, has no root in him, and merely lies there, because no revolution or no robber takes it away.Do you agree with what Emerson says of the “cultivated” man? Defend or challenge his remark, using your observation and experience to support your position.
  13. How effectively does paragraph 31 serve as a conclusion to the essay? Be specific in your answer.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How effectively does paragraph 31 serve as a conclusion to the essay? Be specific in your answer.
  14. Thomas Paine begins Common Sense (p. 376):

    Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher. Society in every state is a blessing…

    Emerson writes, “Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members” (par. 6) and characterizes “society” throughout “Self-Reliance.” What does each writer mean by society? How would you compare and contrast Emerson’s and Paine’s different perspectives on it? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Thomas Paine begins Common Sense (p. 376):Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher. Society in every state is a blessing…Emerson writes, “Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members” (par. 6) and characterizes “society” throughout “Self-Reliance.” What does each writer mean by society? How would you compare and contrast Emerson’s and Paine’s different perspectives on it? Explain.