An Emersonian Glossary
by Jason LaffertyReading Ralph Waldo's Emerson's writings can lose much of their inspirational value if we don't have a basic understanding of some of the key words and ideas underlying his texts. Writing from a different century context about themes that have sometimes been described as "unintelligible" makes this kind of review almost imperative. Here then are descriptions of selected Emersonian terms and interpretations, being aware that through further reading, research, and internalization, we will fill out these descriptions and connections at a deeper level.
America
A grand Idea where the old cultural institutions of Europe could be radically reformed to justly serve the culture of the Individual.Art
the soul's action on the world; to educate the perception of beauty (Geldard)Beauty
the underlying likenesses of the beautiful (Geldard)Behavior
my manner of life (Geldard)Body
my office, where I work (Geldard)Character
a reserved force which acts directly by presence; a latent power (Geldard)Considerations
the positive centers of my actions (Geldard)back to emerson section comments next