The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson

Introduction by Mary Oliver Commentary by Henry James, Robert Frost, Matthew Arnold, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Henry David Thoreau The definitive collection of Emerson's major speeches, essays, and poetry, The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson chronicles the life's work of a true "American Scholar." As one of the architects of the transcendentalist movement, Emerson embraced a philosophy that championed the individual, emphasized independent thought, and prized "the splendid labyrinth of one's own perceptions." More than any writer of his time, he forged a style distinct from his European predecessors and embodied and defined what it meant to be an American. Matthew Arnold called Emerson's essays "the most important work done in prose." INCLUDES A MODERN LIBRARY READING GROUP GUIDE

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Introduction by Mary Oliver NATURE THE AMERICAN SCHOLAR AN ADDRESS THE TRANSCENDENTALIST THE LORD’S SUPPER ESSAYS: FIRST SERIES History Self-Reliance Compensation Spiritual Laws Love Friendship Prudence Heroism The Over-Soul Heroism Intellect Art ESSAYS: SECOND SERIES The Poet Experience Character Manners Gifts Nature Politics Nominalist and Realist New England Reformers PLATO: OR, THE PHILOSOPHER NAPOLEON: OR, THE MAN OF THE WORLD ENGLISH TRAITS I.First Visit to England II.Voyage to England III.Land IV.Race V.Ability VI.Manners VII.Truth VIII.Character IX.Cockayne X.Wealth XI.Aristocracy XII.Universities XIII.Religion XIV.Literature XV.The “Times” XVI.Stonehenge XVII.Personal XVIII.Result XIX.Speech at Manchester CONDUCT OF LIFE Wealth Culture SOCIETY AND SOLITUDE FARMING POEMS Good-bye The Problem Uriel The Rhodora The Humble-Bee The Snow-storm Ode Forbearance Forerunners Give All to Love Threnody Concord Hymn May-Day The Adirondacs Brama Merlin’s Song Hymn Days Character Walden Lines to Ellen Self-Reliance Webster EZRA RIPLEY, D.D. EMANCIPATION IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW JOHN BROWN THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION THOREAU ABRAHAM LINCOLN CARLYLE Commentary Reading Group Guide