Essayist, poet, and lecturer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, scrutinizes the educational system of the nineteenth century in his essay “Education”. Emerson’s purpose is to exploit the faults within the methods of teaching that were practiced and persuade educators to shift to the natural method. He adopts an academic, yet passionate tone in order to inspire teachers and parents to make the changes necessary to properly prepare students for the future.
Emerson opens his essay by expressing that the key to proper education is respecting the pupil and applying the natural method. He immediately captures his audience by repeating: “Respect the child”(102). By doing this, he proclaims his stance on the subject unwaveringly and urges the reader to do the same. …show more content…
According to him, the educational institution was straying from its original purpose. He argues that “college was to be the nurse and home of genius”(106) but militaristic teaching styles have left the students with “appetite and indolence . . . but no enthusiasm”(105) The metaphoric mode effectively depicts college as a tenderly place that gives birth to entrepreneurs. Comparatively, the militaristic method is unappealing. It distinguishes the difference between the encouraging, motherly nature he believes school is meant to be to the draining manner it uses. Moreover, the contrast gives the reader the opportunity to see what school could be like if the natural method is embraced as in contrast to the negative effect of the mechanical …show more content…
The essay ends metaphorically, declaring to teachers: “Consent yourself to be an organ of your highest thought, and lo! suddenly you put all men in your debt, and are a fountain of an energy that goes pulsing on with waves of benefit to the borders of society, to the circumference of things”(108). With a final, irrevocable outcry, Emerson reaches out to the teachers, begging them to be a part of the natural method of education. He emphasizes the impact one change in the educational system can have on the students and claims that their contribution can pulsate waves of benefits to society. As a result, this artistic description of the benefits of this method persuades the audience to take part in the natural approach to teaching.
Throughout the essay, “Education”, Emerson exploits the flaws of the educational system of his time and suggests shifting to a more natural, less synthetic method of educating children in order to better prepare them for the future. He also urges teachers and parents to encourage and respect
Emerson opens his essay by expressing that the key to proper education is respecting the pupil and applying the natural method. He immediately captures his audience by repeating: “Respect the child”(102). By doing this, he proclaims his stance on the subject unwaveringly and urges the reader to do the same. …show more content…
According to him, the educational institution was straying from its original purpose. He argues that “college was to be the nurse and home of genius”(106) but militaristic teaching styles have left the students with “appetite and indolence . . . but no enthusiasm”(105) The metaphoric mode effectively depicts college as a tenderly place that gives birth to entrepreneurs. Comparatively, the militaristic method is unappealing. It distinguishes the difference between the encouraging, motherly nature he believes school is meant to be to the draining manner it uses. Moreover, the contrast gives the reader the opportunity to see what school could be like if the natural method is embraced as in contrast to the negative effect of the mechanical …show more content…
The essay ends metaphorically, declaring to teachers: “Consent yourself to be an organ of your highest thought, and lo! suddenly you put all men in your debt, and are a fountain of an energy that goes pulsing on with waves of benefit to the borders of society, to the circumference of things”(108). With a final, irrevocable outcry, Emerson reaches out to the teachers, begging them to be a part of the natural method of education. He emphasizes the impact one change in the educational system can have on the students and claims that their contribution can pulsate waves of benefits to society. As a result, this artistic description of the benefits of this method persuades the audience to take part in the natural approach to teaching.
Throughout the essay, “Education”, Emerson exploits the flaws of the educational system of his time and suggests shifting to a more natural, less synthetic method of educating children in order to better prepare them for the future. He also urges teachers and parents to encourage and respect