Representation of the Genius in Emerson’s Early Lectures (eBook)

Seminar paper from the year 2021 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Dortmund, language: English, abstract: Ralph Waldo Emerson (*1803 †1882) was an American poet, essayist, lecturer and philosopher. In his life he shifted his literary focus away from religion and literature as such, as he wanted to think beyond those and provide people with broader thoughts and ideas. His goal was to provide a framework that includes both, literature and religion (Cayton 1992) – which he accomplished. This led him to him being a recognizable national figure "because his message shifted from being heard in religious and literary terms to being heard as discourse pertaining to something else" (Cayton 1992).

His most famous work might be ‘The American Scholar’, a speech which he gave in 1837. It served as a pioneer for American education and culture and presented thoughts and ideas for a ‘new’ American identity, which was at that time still very much influenced by European identities. Through his works and practices Emerson became a role model for ‘Man Thinking’, a concept he himself introduced in ‘The American Scholar’. Man Thinking stands for all the abilities and talents a scholar should achieve by studying culture and nature which eventually lead to an improvement in society. In return the scholar (men) will be happy and find their own truths.

Emerson influenced the 19th century in many ways and eventually "[he] became one of the first symbols of this [American] culture, newly defined as the awareness and mastery of a certain body of knowledge" (Cayton 1992).

Historians have not fully reached common ground to characterise Emerson, as he can take many forms, yet Cayton (1992) describes him as one of the most celebrated American intellectuals. Not only did he shape Puritan beliefs and ranks as the founder of American literary romanticism, but he is also seen as the “prime mover in a generation of reformers” (Cayton 1992) and “people liked him because he did their thinking for them” which can also be seen as an indication for Emerson being a Genius himself.