“The American Scholar” which was originally named “An oration delivered before the Phi Beta Kappa society, at Cambridge, August 31, 1837” was delivered by Ralph Waldo Emerson as a speech to Harvard’s Phi Beta Kappa society. Later that year, the speech was published under it’s primary title and then republished in 1838. After a couple of years, in 1841, he embodies this essay in his book of essays under it’s new title “The American Scholar”, aiming to extend his audience.
Emerson Introduces his text with the aim of exploring the overall relationship between the scholar and the human being. In addition, he emphasizes the fact that the scholar stems from “man thinking”. Hence, the essay revolves around how the American scholars should in fact …show more content…
In his first argument, he provides a comparison of nature to the human mind where he states, "There is never a beginning, there is never an end to the inexplicable continuity of this web of God, but always circular power returning into itself.”(p.27) The human mind is a limitless aspect, similarly to nature it embodies intellect as well as beauty. Emerson further more tends to strategically links the scholar to nature, where he states that the individual is convinced "that he and it proceed from one root; one is leaf and one is flower.”(p.27). The second influence on the individual is past minds, where the individual utilizes books to guide his ideas. "Books are the best things, well used; abused, among the worst.”(p.29). Emerson stresses that books should merely be used as an icon, and not serve as a source of inspiration. His third argument dwells on the importance of action, “Action is with the scholar subordinate, but it is essential. Without it, he is not yet man.” (p.30). According to the author, thoughts are directly followed by actions in the degree of importance, they define the transcendental motion which highlights how actions are an innate duty to “man thinking”. After discussing how nature, books, and actions influence the scholar’s education, Emerson sheds light on the scholar’s …show more content…
In general, there are two types of audience, the specific and the general. Emerson started with a specific audience which was the Phi Beta Kappa society in Harvard, later on he decided on widening his audience including all college students, and individuals of the new generation who can contribute to a better, more independent American literature. Emerson tends to grab the audience’s attention by using the second person “You”, in which he intentionally uses this pronoun to address each and everyone of his audience as if it was personal, hence making them more active, and interesting in participating. Moreover, he also uses Persuasive technique that fits perfectly into his intended audience “ Perhaps the time is already come, when it ought to be, and will be, something else.” (p.1). With respect to the author’s formal style, his purpose is set to be didactic, where he educates his audience in the best possible
Emerson Introduces his text with the aim of exploring the overall relationship between the scholar and the human being. In addition, he emphasizes the fact that the scholar stems from “man thinking”. Hence, the essay revolves around how the American scholars should in fact …show more content…
In his first argument, he provides a comparison of nature to the human mind where he states, "There is never a beginning, there is never an end to the inexplicable continuity of this web of God, but always circular power returning into itself.”(p.27) The human mind is a limitless aspect, similarly to nature it embodies intellect as well as beauty. Emerson further more tends to strategically links the scholar to nature, where he states that the individual is convinced "that he and it proceed from one root; one is leaf and one is flower.”(p.27). The second influence on the individual is past minds, where the individual utilizes books to guide his ideas. "Books are the best things, well used; abused, among the worst.”(p.29). Emerson stresses that books should merely be used as an icon, and not serve as a source of inspiration. His third argument dwells on the importance of action, “Action is with the scholar subordinate, but it is essential. Without it, he is not yet man.” (p.30). According to the author, thoughts are directly followed by actions in the degree of importance, they define the transcendental motion which highlights how actions are an innate duty to “man thinking”. After discussing how nature, books, and actions influence the scholar’s education, Emerson sheds light on the scholar’s …show more content…
In general, there are two types of audience, the specific and the general. Emerson started with a specific audience which was the Phi Beta Kappa society in Harvard, later on he decided on widening his audience including all college students, and individuals of the new generation who can contribute to a better, more independent American literature. Emerson tends to grab the audience’s attention by using the second person “You”, in which he intentionally uses this pronoun to address each and everyone of his audience as if it was personal, hence making them more active, and interesting in participating. Moreover, he also uses Persuasive technique that fits perfectly into his intended audience “ Perhaps the time is already come, when it ought to be, and will be, something else.” (p.1). With respect to the author’s formal style, his purpose is set to be didactic, where he educates his audience in the best possible