The Transcendentalism of Ralph Waldo Emerson

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the transcendentalism of Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prominent American philosopher, essayist, and poet of the 19th century. The quiz will cover Emerson's key ideas, influences, and contributions to the transcendentalist movement.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: transcendentalism ralph waldo emerson american literature philosophy nature
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the central tenet of Emerson's transcendentalism?

  1. The divinity of nature

  2. The importance of self-reliance

  3. The inherent goodness of humanity

  4. The power of intuition


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Emerson believed that nature is a manifestation of the divine, and that humans can experience the divine through communion with nature.

Which of the following is NOT a key influence on Emerson's transcendentalism?

  1. Plato

  2. The Bhagavad Gita

  3. William Wordsworth

  4. John Locke


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson was influenced by a wide range of thinkers, including Plato, the Bhagavad Gita, and William Wordsworth. However, John Locke's emphasis on empiricism and rationalism was not a major influence on Emerson's transcendentalism.

What is the title of Emerson's most famous essay?

  1. Nature

  2. The American Scholar

  3. Self-Reliance

  4. The Divinity School Address


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Emerson's essay "Nature" is considered to be one of the most important works of American transcendentalism. In this essay, Emerson argues that nature is a manifestation of the divine and that humans can experience the divine through communion with nature.

In his essay "Self-Reliance," Emerson argues that:

  1. Individuals should conform to societal norms.

  2. Individuals should rely on their own intuition and judgment.

  3. Individuals should seek wealth and material possessions.

  4. Individuals should follow the dictates of religious authority.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Emerson believed that individuals should trust their own intuition and judgment, rather than relying on external authorities or societal norms.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Emerson's transcendentalism?

  1. An emphasis on individualism

  2. A belief in the inherent goodness of humanity

  3. A rejection of organized religion

  4. A focus on the importance of material possessions


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson's transcendentalism emphasized the importance of individualism, the inherent goodness of humanity, and a rejection of organized religion. However, he did not focus on the importance of material possessions.

Emerson's transcendentalism had a significant impact on:

  1. American literature

  2. American philosophy

  3. American religion

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson's transcendentalism had a profound impact on American literature, philosophy, and religion. His ideas influenced a wide range of writers, thinkers, and religious leaders.

Emerson's transcendentalism is often seen as a reaction to:

  1. The rise of industrialization

  2. The decline of religious authority

  3. The growth of scientific materialism

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson's transcendentalism was a response to the rise of industrialization, the decline of religious authority, and the growth of scientific materialism. He believed that these trends were alienating individuals from their true selves and from the divine.

Emerson's transcendentalism has been criticized for being:

  1. Too idealistic

  2. Too individualistic

  3. Too anti-intellectual

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson's transcendentalism has been criticized for being too idealistic, too individualistic, and too anti-intellectual. Some critics have argued that Emerson's emphasis on individualism led him to neglect the importance of social responsibility.

Despite these criticisms, Emerson's transcendentalism remains an important:

  1. Philosophical movement

  2. Literary movement

  3. Religious movement

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson's transcendentalism remains an important philosophical, literary, and religious movement. His ideas continue to inspire and challenge thinkers and artists around the world.

Which of the following is NOT a key idea in Emerson's transcendentalism?

  1. The divinity of nature

  2. The importance of self-reliance

  3. The inherent goodness of humanity

  4. The necessity of social reform


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson's transcendentalism focused on the individual and the relationship between the individual and nature. He did not emphasize the necessity of social reform.

Emerson's transcendentalism was influenced by:

  1. Plato

  2. The Bhagavad Gita

  3. William Wordsworth

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson's transcendentalism was influenced by a wide range of thinkers, including Plato, the Bhagavad Gita, and William Wordsworth.

Emerson's most famous essay is:

  1. Nature

  2. The American Scholar

  3. Self-Reliance

  4. The Divinity School Address


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Emerson's most famous essay is "Nature", which was published in 1836.

In his essay "Self-Reliance," Emerson argues that:

  1. Individuals should conform to societal norms.

  2. Individuals should rely on their own intuition and judgment.

  3. Individuals should seek wealth and material possessions.

  4. Individuals should follow the dictates of religious authority.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Emerson believed that individuals should trust their own intuition and judgment, rather than relying on external authorities or societal norms.

Emerson's transcendentalism had a significant impact on:

  1. American literature

  2. American philosophy

  3. American religion

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson's transcendentalism had a profound impact on American literature, philosophy, and religion. His ideas influenced a wide range of writers, thinkers, and religious leaders.

Emerson's transcendentalism is often seen as a reaction to:

  1. The rise of industrialization

  2. The decline of religious authority

  3. The growth of scientific materialism

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Emerson's transcendentalism was a response to the rise of industrialization, the decline of religious authority, and the growth of scientific materialism. He believed that these trends were alienating individuals from their true selves and from the divine.

- Hide questions