THE AMERICAN SCHOLAR

The American Scholar was a speech given by Emerson on 1837.Emerson tried to change the society intellectually where he insisted on the American intellectual revolution .He calls for independency on the intellectual level. The DR asked us why in particular did Emerson choose this class? Bcz The Scholar is THE MIND of the nation,he or she is the representative of America. Emerson insisted on THE AMERICAN SCHOLARbcz transcendentalists are rebellious ,revolutionary.
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THE AMERICAN SCHOLAR

What are the main influences to aScholar? 1-Nature;Transcendentalists were influenced by romantic poets Nature inspired them. Accordind to Emerson Nature is the most important influence on the American Scholar.There is the physical Nature [sun ,grass and stars]. P1137.[know thyself][study Nature].Emerson insisted that an individual should know him self and study Nature, this becomes one and the same. There is the physical Nature and at the same time there is the human Nature .For Transcendentalists [Emerson] Nature is divine.

THE AMERICAN SCHOLAR

2-The mind of the past;the past is contained in books .Books are written by thinkers [Men of talent].Genius people look forward not back word bcz a scholar should be creative not imitative. P1138.Emerson made a clear distinction between Man Thinking and the Bookworm.According to Emerson to be a bookworm is too bad bcz creativity will be absent and creativity is a key word here. 3p1139-Ascholar must live among people not in isolation[3influence] [There goes..scholars of their day] SCHOLARS DUTIES -p1142To cheer,to guide men by showing them facts.Emerson emphasized on Self-Trust which he will talk about in Self Reliance ,this reflects the role of the intellectual in the society.Ascholar should be a leader. Go back to p1147[We have listened..thick and fat] Emerson uses figurative language[courtly muses of Europe]which means literature. The domain of the scholar is opened for every one to join Emerson wanted the American spirit to be creative, rebellious and innovative,the remedy is to be your self .This shows the role of the intellectual in the society.