Essays And Poems
(Emerson, Ralph Waldo)
The Essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson are intricate, profound and not designed for flippant reading. The anthology I have as published by Barnes and Nobles has more than 500 pages that starts with a brief biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson followed by a chronological events surrounding Emerson's life and times. The Introduction written by Peter Norberg is a thorough exposition of how the book was formed. Norberg gives us a foretaste of what Emerson is all about and this helps us understand both the background and foreground of Emerson's writings.
This book is a compendium of extensive ideas ranging from the cosmology of nature, linguistics, secular theology, the nature of man, philosophical movements, to virtues and spiritual laws; from compensation and economics to politics, from Plato to Shakespeare. Towards the end of the essay portion, Emerson delves in transcendental entities such as fate, power and illusions. However, the portion of poetry is but a very miniscule sampling of Emerson's voluminous work.
This book is not meant to be read from cover to cover but from one theme to another theme depending on our personal preferences and moods. The general tone of Emerson's writing as mentioned in the introduction by Peter Norberg is focused on the individual conditioned by faith. The perspective of the books departs from man, with man, and ends for man.
Every page is as eloquent as the other, written with panache typical of Emerson's time. For the MTV generation of the 21st century or for the internet instant mail zealot, this book might come as excessively pedantic and somewhat sophist. Be prepared to doze off. However, for those who are in search of cultural development and spiritual refinement, this book is a must. It is dense with values and profundity necessary for man's philosophical development. We cannot afford to pass through this lifetime without even at least having a peek at this book. Take time to read it. Nurture, nourish and be empowered by its words and let Emerson's thoughts simmer into yours.
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