The RhodoraBy Ralph Waldo Emerson

From his book:

Poems (1847)

Ralph Waldo EmersonBorn May 25, 1803, Boston, Mass., U.S.Died April 27, 1882, Concord, Mass. Died: 78 years old

*Moved away from the excitement of the industrial Revolution of 1760-1830.

*He led the literary explosion of the USA known as the American renaissance (1835–65).

Ralph Waldo EmersonMajor Life Events:Age 8- Father died, Studies directed by Aunt Mary Moody Emerson

Age 26 -Married 1st wife Ellen Louisa TuckerAge 28 - Wife died of TB Age 29 -doubted faith, stopped preaching Age 32 - Married his 2nd wife Lydia Jackson Age 33 - Published his first book of poems “Nature.”

The RhodoraOn being asked, whence is the flower.

In May, when sea-winds pierced our solitudes,I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods,Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook,To please the desert and the sluggish brook.The purple petals fallen in the poolMade the black water with their beauty gay;Here might the red-bird come his plumes to cool,And court the flower that cheapens his array.Rhodora! if the sages ask thee whyThis charm is wasted on the earth and sky,Tell them, dear, that, if eyes were made for seeing,Then beauty is its own excuse for Being;Why thou wert there, O rival of the rose!I never thought to ask; I never knew;But in my simple ignorance supposeThe self-same power that brought me there, brought you.

Levels of Analysis1. Literal- What, Who, When, Where

2. Interpretative- Why & How

3. Critical Analysis- Meaning for you.

4. Comparison- How does this relate to today?

Ideas to consider1. World thought

1. Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement in Europe, based heavily on the

writings of Immanuel Kant.

2. The events within Emerson’s life.