Education : A Summary Of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Education

During the nineteenth century, American schools have caused a raise of differences towards the method of educating students. In his essay, “Education”, an influential American thinker and writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson recommends the parents to take in consideration for their children’s lives by creating a better teaching in which the students can learn/imply the basic fundamentals on their strive for success by doing it on their own. Emerson emphasizes his claim by encouraging a teaching method that children use their “naturel” by utilizing paradox, metaphors and analogy.

The line from paragraph 11 is a metaphor stating that some aspects of his argument is easier said than done. In paragraph ten, Emerson uses the metaphor "you must lower your flag and reef your sails to wait for the dull sailors", and here Emerson uses this metaphor to advise teachers to not set high goals and have patience with students because not all will be smart. Emerson continues to give advice to teacher on how to teach. For example, he states "…smuggle in a little contraband wit, fancy, imagination, and thought." (pg.107). What Emerson means by this is to add excitement in teaching children. Emerson personifies college in paragraph ten, by saying "College was to be the nurse and home of genius" (104) saying that college supports and allows a person's genius to grow and

"In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life, - no disgrace, no calamity (leaving me my eyes), which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground, - my head bathed by the blithe air and uplifted into infinite space, - all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eyeball. I am nothing. I see all. The currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God."

In this essay, Ralph Waldo Emerson describes his view of an ideal education. What are its defining characteristics?

In Education by Ralph Waldo Emerson, he discusses how the ideal form of learning should come from a classroom environment in which the child is enthusiastic to learn while also being challenged. Emerson believed that learning should begin at a young age, and that self education was the most proficient way to create academic success. Because he advocated for more independent learning, Emerson also supported smaller class sizes so education could become more personal. Although he felt structure was a necessary component to an ideal academic surrounding, schools should not be overly strict simply for the purpose of efficiency. Emerson’s idea of a personal, yet rigorous, learning environment should be implemented in our school district because it provides many benefits that our school does not currently offer due to its poor academic structure.

In Education Ralph Waldo Emerson uses a variety of syntax to engage the reader. The beginning is very effective in the usage of short sentences. This paragraph is talking about how the secret to education lies in respecting the student. The syntax that I like is “Respect the child. Wait and see the new product of Nature.” It then goes on to several more short sentences, but as you can see in this example it is short for a reason. These are meant to point out specific things that teachers should do to create a better education environment for students. On the third page another device is used, which is the usage of several questions in a row. There are seven consecutive rhetorical questions. These help break up the long paragraph and also cause

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character." This quote is a belief that your beliefs show innermost self. Emerson believes that your thoughts and ideas of the world reflect your true self. I agree that your mental outlook of the world is a representation of your real character. Regardless of whether or not you expressed those thoughts and ideas out loud, they still show your true colors. Opinions are just another way of showing the world who you really are. Your attitude on the certain topics and people, marks your stance on the world and show your true beliefs.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” Emerson is a firm believer of maintaining self-reliance and values rather than following the crowd. He also explains that in order to be truly successful in life, a person must make decisions and trust in his or her judgment. In today’s society, teenagers are more likely to not be self-reliant because the teens feel they will be judged for having different beliefs. People today need to realize that they should not conform to be like the rest of the world, they must not depend on the judgment and criticism of others, and people must refuse to travel somewhere in order to forget their personal problems. Through Emerson’s piece, readers are able to

This was the battle started with the “shot heard ‘round the world” as Ralph Waldo Emerson observed.

his profession as a pastor in search for vital truth and hope. But his father

     Emerson’s writing focused on nonconformity and individuality. In his essay "Self-Reliance," he wrote, "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind," and, "Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist."

Do you ever wonder if there is more you could be doing for your schools? Is there more to just the normal classroom setup and curriculum? After recently reading the article “From Education” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of America’s most influential thinkers and writers, I believe his definition of education should be implemented in our school district. He describes current education as militaristic and explains how he believes that learning should be “natural.” By “natural” he means learning through experience. The ideal education experience that Emerson presents is one where students are allowed to follow their interests and gain the information they desire most. Our school district should apply the “natural method” to all of our schools.

As a world, people follow those who they can relate with. Humans are drawn to the

	When Emerson says "Insist on yourself; never imitate." he is saying that you should act like you are on the inside; don't try to be like someone else. Be your own person and strive

Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated. ‘To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. This quote means that you should be yourself. Emerson’s statement is false because to be someone you're not is good.