Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Companion

Life is our dictionary, a comprehensive study of Ralph Waldo Emerson's work as a preacher, poet, philosopher, lecturer, essayist, and editor, exploring his relationships with family, fellow Transcendentalists, and transatlantic friends, and his commitment to ethics, self-culture, and social change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

In his renowned 1837 speech, "The American Scholar," Ralph Waldo Emerson astutely observed that life itself serves as our comprehensive dictionary, encompassing a vast body of work that transcends the confines of the American 19th century. This exhaustive study delves into the multifaceted persona of Emerson, encompassing his roles as preacher, poet, philosopher, lecturer, essayist, and editor. With nearly 100 entries dedicated to individual texts and their intricate personal, historical, and literary contexts, this work offers a profound exploration of Emerson's oeuvre.

Emerson's work is intricately intertwined with his relationships with his family, fellow Transcendentalists, and transatlantic friends, as well as his unwavering commitment to ethics, self-culture, and social change. This book serves as an invaluable resource in providing the most comprehensive examination of Emerson's writing and philosophy. Remarkably ahead of his own time, Emerson courageously interrogated institutions, communities, friendships, history, individuality, and contemporary approaches to environmental stewardship.

Through his profound insights and visionary ideas, Emerson continues to inspire and influence generations of thinkers, challenging us to reevaluate our assumptions, embrace individuality, and strive for a more harmonious and sustainable world.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476677606