Rowan University Emerson Literature Discussion

I’m working on a literature discussion question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

5. Emerson  believes that education should improve “elements in him,” (Emerson, 1837) meaning in the student. He believes that our studies should allow us to both study our future career and figure out who we are as people to our own ability. Yes, I think Emerson’s critique is still relevant today but it depends on the school, the student and the major of choice. Emerson says, “instead of being its own seer, let it receive always from another mind its truth,” (Emerson, 1937). He is frustrated with the fact that students are not being taught to think for themselves, they’re being taught to think and agree with what has already been written in books. Emerson’s opinion isn’t as relative now as it used to be. Our society is more open minded to new ideas and ways of thinking in comparison to older societies and generations.

6. In the short story Young Goodman Brown, Hawthorne describes the land and nature quite differently then in previous pieces we have read. Unlike many writers before, Hawthorne uses his description of nature to paint an eerie and dark picture for the reader. He describes the forest that Goodman Brown walks through as dark, scary and unknowing. He uses descriptive sentences like, “He had taken a dreary road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest, which barely stood aside to let the narrow path creep through, and closed immediately behind” (Hawthorne). By using words such as dreary, darkened and gloomiest, Hawthorne paints a scary and dark scene for Goodman Brown. This is useful to set the tone for the reader before describing what happens in the forest, almost giving an insight to what kind of events might occur. Hawthorne uses symbolism in his writing again when he says, “The blue sky was still visible, except directly overhead, where this black mass of cloud was sweeping swiftly northward” (Hawthorne). By using this description, the reader is informed of the negative state of mind Goodman Brown is in by saying the black clouds are only directly over him. This helps the reader to interpret Goodman Brown’s attitude and mood in the following scenes.

for 5.

1. Would you say that Emerson’s critique of college education is still valid? Argue yes or no (or “yes/but”), giving examples from his speech and from your experience.
2. for questiion 6
3. Choose either Poe or Hawthorne. How does each writer use/describe landscape (the forest, the castle tower room) to affect the reader? Describe and analyze the symbolic significance of the setting: what does it show us about the speaker and his state of mind?