What is the theme of this essay?
What leading idea in this essay was also in the last?
What conclusion does Emerson draw from the fact that children and youth are independent and unaffected in their opinions?
Why do they change as they grow older?
Explain the meaning of the following: "Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members" (p. 69). "Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist" (p. 69).
Account for Emerson's scornful reference to "popular charities" (p. 71).
Show how our consistency is "a terror that scares us from self-trust" (p. 75).
What virtue does one need to have to be able to scorn consistency? (p. 77, l. 1).
What fault does Emerson find with hero worship? (p. 80).
What are intuitions?
Whence do they come?
Show clearly how Emerson bases his belief in self-trust on his belief in intuitions.
Why does he scorn the custom of traveling?
What do you think are the advantages of foreign travel?
Write on "The right spirit and the wrong spirit in foreign travel."
What conclusion does Emerson lead to from a consideration of reliance on society? on government? on property?
Why do we dislike a conceited man? Compare a conceited with a self-reliant man.
Make a collection of the epigrammatic sayings in this essay that you think are worth remembering.
What is the theme of this essay?
Illustrate the meaning of the law of compensation by referring to its working in nature, in human life, in government.
What did the Greeks mean by their goddess Nemesis?
Show the folly of trying to escape this law, by pointing out how it invariably works in the results of deeds of crime, of acts of honest labor, of deeds of love.
Explain the following statements and give illustrations:
"But for every benefit which you receive, a tax is levied" (p. 124). "The history of persecution is a history of endeavours to cheat nature" (p. 129).
What is Emerson's answer to the thoughtless who say: "What boots it to do well?... if I gain any good I must pay for it; if I lose any good I gain some other"? (p. 130)
Explain "Nothing can work me damage except myself" (p. 132).
What compensations are there for our calamities?
Show how this law of compensation is illustrated in the acts of some of the characters that you have studied in fiction: for example, Shylock, Ivanhoe, Isaac, Portia, Godfrey Cass, Silas Marner.
What is the theme of this essay?
How is friendship different from companionship?
How do friends enlarge and improve us?
Why often do "Our friendships hurry to short and poor conclusions"? (p. 145).
What are the two elements that go to the composition of friendship? Illustrate each.
What is Emerson's idea about the possibility of helpful conversation where more than two take part?
Discuss, to show the measure of truth that it contains.
What, in the persons themselves, is necessary for the most helpful conversation?
To what extent is it true that "friends are self-elected"? (p. 154).
What are the requirements for perfect friendship? (pp. 154-157).
Why would Emerson do with his friends as with his books? (p. 158). (See The American Scholar, pp. 38-44.)
Do you think that he would have us become recluses? Would he have us make no friendships except ideal ones? Try to summarize the truth of this essay in your own words for those of your own age.
Explain and illustrate the meaning of prudence.
What is the theme of this essay?
What reason does Emerson give for discussing it?
Explain his classification in paragraph beginning "There are all degrees of proficiency" (p. 164).
How does the cultured man's view of prudence differ from that of the man who lacks culture?
By referring to the comedies that you know, verify the statement, "The spurious prudence ... is the subject of all comedy" (p. 165).
What are the "petty experiences which usurp the hours and years"? (p. 167). How are we instructed by them?
How does nature punish neglect of prudence?
Name some of the imprudences of men in general, of men of genius, of scholars (pp. 171-173).
What is the result of such imprudence?
Why is prudence called a minor virtue? (p. 175).
To what conclusion does the discussion lead?
What is the theme of this essay?
Explain fully the meaning of originality.
What is more important in a man of genius than originality? Illustrate.
In Shakespeare's youth how were dramatic entertainments regarded?
What material did Shakespeare find at first to work upon?
What were the great sources of his material in the plays with which you are familiar?
Have other writers felt free to borrow as they pleased?
What is their justification?
Explain the meaning of: "It is easy to see that what is best written or done by genius in the world, was no man's work" (p. 191).
What have scholars and Shakespeare societies found out about Shakespeare? How did his contemporaries regard him? Explain: "Shakespeare is the only biographer of Shakespeare" (p. 198), and "He is the one person, in all modern history, known to us" (p. 200).
What do we learn of him through his works?
Sum up the author's idea of Shakespeare's creative power, representation of life, power of expression, cheerfulness, imperfection.
What is the theme of this essay? What motives prompt people to give gifts? Which ones are right? Which wrong? What things are suitable for gifts? What are most appropriate? What danger is there in giving those things that are substantial benefits? Are beautiful things better for gifts than useful ones? Why? "He is a good man who can receive a gift well" (p. 214). Explain.
Discuss the good and the evil of our custom of Christmas giving.
Discuss Carlyle's statement: "It is a mortifying truth, that two men, in any rank of society, could hardly be found virtuous enough to give money, and to take it as a necessary gift, without injury to the moral entireness of one or both." Essay on Burns (pp. 121-122).
The Life and Character of the Author.—What do we know of Emerson's ancestry? his childhood? his education? his experience as a teacher? his work as a minister? his travels in Europe? his friendship with distinguished men? his connection with Transcendentalism? the chief difference between him and other Transcendentalists? his success as a lecturer? his connection with Harvard College? his home life? the central idea in all his teaching? his service to his generation?
Outline for the Study of Webster's First Bunker Hill Oration
Much may be expected from the study of this oration. It is one of the few books required for careful study. It will be taken up late in the high school course, when pupils are maturing rapidly. It is distinctly American, the work of probably our greatest orator. But it is not difficult; the meaning is not puzzling, the structure is simple. The teacher may reasonably require of his pupils great familiarity with the divisions of the speech, with the thought of each, and with the language.
I. Preparation
The preparation necessary for the first reading is very slight. If the imagination of the student can be aroused, so that the occasion on which the Oration was delivered can be made to seem real and full of interest, he will read to better advantage. Webster's audience must be imagined, the number of people present, the different classes: the veteran, the old resident who saw the battle, the children and grandchildren of those who fell, and the distinguished visitor from France. A picture of Webster with some hints of his great reputation will help to complete the scene.
II. Reading and Study
The first reading should, if possible, be assigned for one lesson so that the class may read the oration at a single sitting.
The second reading should be accompanied by memory work, the preparation of an outline, the writing of compositions (some intended for speaking), and the study of introduction, conclusion, and climaxes.
III. Study of the Oration as a Whole
Content.—A description of the scene from the point of view of Webster.
The same from the point of view of one of the listeners.
How did the orator try to arouse the interest and emotion of his audience in his introductory paragraphs?
Webster's ideal for the monument.
The emotions that Webster appeals to in his address to the veterans.
The character of Warren.
The example of Salem when the port of Boston was closed.
The spirit that bound the colonies together in their struggle.
Lafayette's part in the Revolution.
"A chief distinction of the present day is a community of opinions and knowledge amongst men in different nations, existing in a degree heretofore unknown."
Compare our own day with Webster's in this respect.
The causes of the French Revolution compared with those of the American Revolution.
Excesses of the French Revolution.
What reasons can you find for the almost entire lack of such excesses in our own?
The story of the Greek Revolution, 1820-29.
When and why had the Spanish colonies in South America revolted?
What conditions among these colonies gave Webster some doubt of their great success?
To what extent has history shown his doubt to be well founded?
The conclusion of the Oration, its idea and its appeal to the feelings.
Form.—The purpose of the introductory paragraphs. Compare, if possible, with that of some other introduction.
Discuss Lodge's statement that this Oration is "a succession of eloquent fragments."
Between which of the main divisions, if any, is there a clear connection in thought?
Between which, if any, is there a transition paragraph?
Choose a number of paragraphs, for example, 8, 9, 12, 21, 28, 29, and make an analysis to discover the topic sentence, if there is one, and the method of development.
What figure of speech is strikingly illustrated in paragraphs 13 and 14?
Examine the most emotional passages like paragraphs 12-17 to note the sentence structure and choice of language.
The Life and Character of the Author.—What do we know of Webster's parentage? his boyhood? his college life? his experience as a schoolmaster? the beginning of his career as a lawyer? his rapid success? his first term in Congress? his success as an orator? the importance of his work on the Dartmouth College case? his position on the great questions between North and South? the effect on his reputation of his Reply to Hayne? the effect on his reputation of his seventh of March speech? the great traits of his character?
Relate some of the anecdotes that illustrate his chief characteristics.
Outline for the Study of Washington's Farewell Address
I. Preparation
A careful study of this address should include familiarity with the matters discussed and an analysis to show the structure of the essay. The most natural preparation for the first reading will be to recall the time and circumstances of the address, and to tell what part Madison and Hamilton had in preparing it.
II. Reading and Study
The first reading should be done, if possible, at a single sitting, and should enable the student to get the main points of the address and to appreciate the way in which Washington regarded the people.
The second reading should be made with special attention to the preparation of a detailed outline; to an analysis of the thought; and to a study of the paragraph structure.
III. Study of the Address as a Whole
Content.—What were Washington's reasons for declining a third term?
Are they such that all our presidents should follow his example?
Explain what Washington meant by a "unity of government."
Give the various reasons that the people ought to have for cherishing this idea of unity.
What does Washington say about sectionalism?
To what extent had the country already suffered from it?
Discuss party-spirit,—its nature, its tendencies, its good compared with its evil.
Compare Washington's remarks with Addison's discussion on party-spirit in the Sir Roger de Coverley Papers.
Do we now suffer from any of the evils that Washington points out as resulting from party-spirit?
What relation do religion and morality bear to each other and to government?
How would Washington have us deal with foreign powers?
To what extent do we in our day follow his ideal?
What was his advice concerning political connection with foreign nations?
To what extent do we follow it?
Form.—Summarize the introductory paragraphs, compare them with the introduction in Webster's First Bunker Hill Oration, and note the difference in purpose and method.
What is the purpose in paragraph 7?
Find other paragraphs in the address that have a similar purpose.
Examine several paragraphs (for example, 9, 10, 16, 17), note the topic sentence, if there is one, and the methods of development.
Compare this address with Webster's First Bunker Hill Oration with respect to the logical connection of the main topics, the choice of language, and the effectiveness of the conclusion.
FOOTNOTES
[1] The Life of Sir Walter Scott, by J. G. Lockhart, London, 1898.
[2] See suggestions for teaching "The Lay of the Last Minstrel," in The Teaching of English, by Percival Chubb, pp. 161-166.
[3] Though there may be some doubt as to whether The Deserted Village is strictly a lyric, the plan of study will naturally follow that of lyric poetry.
APPENDIX
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS IN ENGLISH
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD
(1905)
A—Reading and Practice[4]
Select one subject from each of the following groups and write upon each a composition at least two pages in length. Be careful to keep to the subject. Pay special attention to the structure of sentences and paragraphs.
- Group I
-
- A scene from Ivanhoe in which one of the following characters is a principal figure: Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Wamba, Rowena, Isaac of York.
- The Vicar finds Olivia.
- The scene as it might have appeared to one standing just outside the castle gate, as Sir Launfal emerged from his castle in his search for the Holy Grail.
- The ship of the Ancient Mariner is becalmed.
- Group II
-
- Why does Ida finally consent to marry the Prince?
- Was the Dumfries aristocracy justified in "cutting" Robert Burns?
- Show how the Sir Roger de Coverley Papers deal with the foibles of the time of Addison.
- What does the Spectator mean when he says that Sir Roger is "something of a Humourist"? Define Sir Roger's peculiar humor, and contrast it with that of some other character in the Sir Roger de Coverley Papers.
- Group III
-
- What elements in the character of Godfrey Cass account for his relief at his wife's death and his failure to care for his child; also for his confession to Nancy and resolve to adopt Eppie?
- Tell the story of the caskets in The Merchant of Venice.
- Which in your opinion is the superior character, Cassius or Antony? Give the reasons for your opinion.
- What qualities in the character of Brutus are brought home to us in the last scene of Julius Cæsar? Trace in the action of the play the influence of any one of these qualities.
B—Study and Practice
The candidate is expected to answer four of the questions on this paper, selecting them in accordance with instructions under the headings.
I Take one part only, either a or b.
a"Sir, let me add, too, that the opinion of my having some abstract right in my favor would not put me much at my ease in passing sentence, unless I could be sure that there were no rights which, in their exercise under certain circumstances, were not the most odious of all wrongs and the most vexatious of all injustice."
- Name each clause by giving the grammatical subject, the verb, and the complement (if any). State the kind of clause. Give the reasons for your statements.
- Parse the italicized words.
b
- Comment upon the unity of the following sentence and give
the reasons for your opinion.
"At this moment the clang of the portal was heard, a sound at which the stranger started, stepped hastily to the window, and looked with an air of alarm at Ravenswood, when he saw that the gate of the court was shut, and his domestics excluded."
- In each of the sentences printed below tell whether the use of the italicized expression is right or wrong, and give the reason for your decision.
- p The congregation was free to go their way.
- q He said that he himself and I should go to-morrow, but that you would not go till next week.
- r Seated on an upright tombstone, close to him, was a strange unearthly figure, whom, Gabriel felt at once, was no being of this world.
- s After eating a hearty dinner our carriages were brought to the door.
II Take one part only, either a or b.
a"Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little minds go ill together. If we are conscious of our station, and glow with zeal to fill our places as becomes our situation and ourselves, we ought to auspicate all our public proceedings on America with the old warning of the church, Sursum corda! We ought to elevate our minds to the greatness of that trust to which the order of Providence has called us."
Write one paragraph or two or more connected paragraphs on the passage given above. Let your answer show (1) the division of Burke's speech in which this passage occurs, (2) the relation of the idea here expressed to his plan for the government of America, (3) the manner in which his motions carry out this plan.
b"It appears that Addison, on his death bed, called himself to strict account, and was not at ease until he had asked pardon for an injury which it was not even suspected that he had committed,—for an injury which would have caused disquiet only to a very tender conscience. Is it not then reasonable to infer that, if he had really been guilty of forming a base conspiracy against the fame and fortunes of a rival, he would have expressed some remorse at so serious a crime?"
Write one paragraph or two or more connected paragraphs on the passage given above. Show clearly to what reference is made in the last sentence.
III Take one part only, either a or b.
a"Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
As the weird women promised, and I fear
Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said
It should not stand in thy posterity,
But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings. If there come truth from them—
As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine—
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well
And set me up in hope? But hush, no more."
In a paragraph or two show who is the speaker and what the passage suggests respecting his character.
Give the meaning of the italicized words and phrases.
b"We wish to add a few words relative to another subject on which the enemies of Milton delight to dwell—his conduct during the administration of the Protector."
In a paragraph or two summarize Macaulay's views on the subject indicated in the passage given above.
IV Take one part only, either a or b.
a"Mortals, that would follow me,
Love Virtue; she alone is free.
She can teach ye how to climb
Higher than the sphery chime;
Or, if Virtue feeble were,
Heaven itself would stoop to her."
By whom were these words said? to whom? when? where? under what circumstances? Show the relation of these lines to the opening lines of the poem; to the plot of the poem. Answer in a paragraph or two.
bIn Macaulay's Essay on Milton occurs the following passage:
"In none of the works of Milton is his peculiar manner more happily displayed than in the Allegro and the Penseroso. It is impossible to conceive that the mechanism of language can be brought to a more exquisite degree of perfection. These poems differ from others as attar of roses differs from ordinary rose-water, the close-packed essence from the thin, diluted mixture. They are, indeed, not so much poems as collections of hints, from each of which the reader is to make out a poem for himself. Every epithet is a text for a stanza."
Quote from L'Allegro and Il Penseroso several phrases, lines, or passages that exemplify the statements in italics. Give your reasons for the selection of any one of these.
(1907)
A—Reading and Practice
Select one subject from each of the following groups, and upon each subject you select write at least two pages.
Group I
- Under what circumstances did "the vision" come to Sir Launfal?
What was "the vision"? What was its effect upon him? - In what respect was Macbeth, though the bravest of the generals, "infirm of purpose"?
- Show how, as the villagers said, "Silas Marner had brought a blessing on himself by acting like a father to a lone, motherless child."
- Compare Ivanhoe with the most interesting story (by some other author) that you have ever read.
Group II
- Give an account of the duel between Fitz-James and Roderick Dhu.
- Relate how Sir Bedivere dealt with Excalibur.
- Describe Goldsmith as he probably appeared to Johnson or Garrick or Boswell or Burke.
Group III
- Show from the Sir Roger de Coverley Papers that the Spectator spoke truly when he said, "the city is the great field of game for sportsmen of my species."
- Which question or questions on this paper has your training in English best fitted you to answer? Give the reasons for your answer.
- Describe the most dramatic moment (as it seems to you) in The Merchant of Venice.
- What are the chief characteristics that you would emphasize in the presentation of Shylock on the stage? Give the reasons for your answer.
B—Study and Practice
Answer four of the questions on this paper, selecting them in accordance with the instructions under the headings.
I Take one part only, either a or b.
In answering the questions selected from II, III, and IV, regard each answer as an English composition; give special attention to spelling, punctuation, and the construction not only of sentences and paragraphs but of the whole composition.
II Take one part only, either a or b.
III Take one part only, either a or b.
a From the facts in the play justify Cassius's estimate of the Romans:
"And why should Cæsar be a tyrant then?Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep:
He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire
Begin it with weak straws: what trash is Rome,
What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves
For the base matter to illuminate
So vile a thing as Cæsar!"
—Act I, Sc. 3, 103-111.
b Discuss the speeches of Brutus and Antony at the funeral of Cæsar, showing how each is characteristic of the speaker and of the part each bears in the action of the play.
IV Take one part only, either a or b or c.
- Quote from Milton or Shakespeare at least ten consecutive lines (other than those printed on this paper); give their setting and tell why to you the lines seem worth committing to memory.
- Discuss the position of men of letters in the times of Addison and Johnson respectively.
- Give the history of Johnson's Dictionary.
FOOTNOTES
[4] In all these papers special attention should be given to spelling, punctuation and paragraph structure, and neatness.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
(1906)
The examiner expects you to plan each answer before writing, to write neatly and legibly, to spell and punctuate correctly, and to be accurate and intelligent in choosing words and in framing sentences and paragraphs.
Write carefully planned compositions on three of the following subjects.
- The good traits in Macbeth's character.
- Antonio and Bassanio as gentlemen.
- The scenes in The Merchant of Venice which excite sympathy for Shylock.
- Scott's poetry.
- My first reading of The Lady of the Lake.
- The best scene in The Lady of the Lake and my reasons for liking it.
- "I found Him in the shining of the stars,
I mark'd Him in the flowering of His fields,
But in His ways with men I find Him not.
I waged His wars, and now I pass and die."
- How Gareth became a knight.
- Godfrey Cass.
- My reading apart from the prescribed books.
The examiner expects answers not merely correct but also well composed. Answer all the questions.
- What is the plot of Comus?
- Are the characters in Comus as much like real persons as the characters in Shakespeare's plays? Give reasons for your answer.
- Relate the early life of Addison up to the time when he began to write for the Spectator.
- Tell what you know about Johnson's Club.
(1907)
Write carefully: the quality of your English is even more important than your knowledge of the books. Plan your answers before you write them, and look them over carefully after you have written them.
- (Forty minutes.) Tell in the first person, as simply and as vividly as you can, the story of The Ancient Mariner.
- (One hour.) Explain as fully as you can the differences between the life of knights and ladies at the time of King Arthur or of Ivanhoe, and the life of people in London in the eighteenth century,—the time of Sir Roger de Coverley, of Goldsmith, and of Dr. Johnson.
- (Twenty minutes.) What does Macaulay mean when he says that Johnson "came up to London precisely at the time when the condition of a man of letters was most miserable and degraded"?
- (Twenty minutes.) Write a letter, addressed to a person with whom you are not acquainted, applying for a position and setting forth your qualifications for it.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
(1907)
Any dishonesty in the examinations, including the giving as well as the receiving of aid, will, if detected, permanently debar the candidate from entering the University.
The purpose of this examination is to test (1) the candidate's ability to write English correctly, and (2) his acquaintance with certain specified works. The candidate is advised to go over his paper carefully before the end of the hour, to make sure that it is correctly spelled, punctuated, and paragraphed.
Write short compositions on three of the following topics:
- King Arthur as portrayed in the Idylls of the King.
- The English country squire as portrayed in the Sir Roger de Coverley Papers and in Silas Marner.
- The gradual deterioration of Macbeth's character.
- Shylock and Isaac of York—a comparison.
- Lancelot's sojourn at Astolat.
The purpose of this examination is primarily to test the candidate's knowledge of certain specified works; but the examiners will refuse to accept any paper which shows marked deficiency in English composition. The candidate is therefore advised to look over his paper carefully before the end of the hour.
- Why was Brutus chosen as the leader of the conspiracy? In what events of the play does he show his fitness as a leader? In what events does he show his unfitness?
- In what ways does Brutus reveal the gentler side of his character?
-
- Name the supernatural characters in Comus, and show what influence each exerts upon the human beings of the play.
- To what ways of spending his old age does the speaker in Il Penseroso look forward?
-
What does Burke say on each of the following topics, and how does he
relate his discussion of each to his argument for conciliation?
- The use of force in bringing a colony to terms.
- American fisheries.
- The history of Ireland.
-
- Addison's travels.
- Johnson's intimate friends.
BRYN MAWR COLLEGE
(Spring, 1906)
The composition should contain not less than sixty lines of the examination book, and should be correct in spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing, and general arrangement.
(Question 1. For candidates prepared on the reading set by Bryn Mawr College.)
1 How far, in your opinion, is Keat's saying, "I have loved the principle of beauty in all things," borne out by those of his poems that you have read? In answering the question consider, for instance, the subjects chosen, the method of treatment, the style, and the meter.
(Question 2. For candidates prepared on the reading set by the Conference on Uniform Entrance Requirements in English.)
2 Is Scott, in your opinion, greater as poet or novelist? Answer in as full detail as you can, basing your opinion on The Lady of the Lake and Ivanhoe.
(Questions 3 and 4 are for all candidates.)
3 Describe Sir Roger de Coverley.
4 Tell, briefly, Shylock's story.
(Autumn, 1906)
1 The function of tragedy is said to be, "to touch the heart with a sense of beauty and pathos, to open the springs of love and tears." Compare the characters of Brutus and Shylock with this definition in mind, stating which makes the stronger appeal to your sympathies and why.
2 Describe the old Pyncheon house in the House of the Seven Gables.
3 Tell the story of The Ancient Mariner.