Day 4

Self Reliance and Other Essays Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

  1. 1

    How does Emerson distinguish between intellect and wisdom in these two essays? What are the implications of his views for higher education, capitalism, and/or socioeconomic class structures in the U.S. today?

    Students might cite the following passage from "The Over-Soul": "Among the multitude of scholars and authors we feel no hallowing presence; we are sensible of a knack and skill rather than of inspiration; they have a light and know not whence it comes and call it their own; their talent is some exaggerated faculty, some overgrown member, so that their strength is a disease" (Paragraph 23). They might also focus on Emerson's emphasis on the involuntary quality of...

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