Emerson outlines three major elements that the “American Scholar” as a person should strive to master, these being nature, books, and action. First, the author emphasizes nature, stating “He must settle its value in his mind. What is nature to him? There is never a beginning, there is never an end, to the inexplicable continuity of this web of God, but always circular power returning into itself” (Emerson). This is a fascinating question that the scholar should delve into and learn about himself.
Second, the author states that the American Scholar as a figure should look towards books. This one is somewhat contradictory at first glance, because later in the essay, Emerson writes that the scholar shouldn’t focus too much on the past and instead should think creatively and form their own new ideas. However, there is great value to be found in books and older ideas in general, as the writer states “[The book] can stand, and it can go. It now endures, it now flies, it now inspires. Precisely in proportion to the depth of mind from which it issued, so high does it soar, so long does it sing” (Emerson). Within books, we can see the thought processes of others and form valuable opinions on their work. We can build off of previous ideas or learn why we don’t like an idea, and form a counterargument of our own.
Lastly, Emerson proposes the idea of action, writing “Without [action] he is not yet man. Without it thought can never ripen into truth. Whilst the world hangs before the eye as a cloud of beauty, we cannot even see its beauty. Inaction is cowardice, but there can be no scholar without the heroic mind” (Emerson). “Living truthfully” is a sentiment that Emerson references several times throughout various works, “The American Scholar” included. In this specific context, the author emphasizes how action is one element of living truthfully and therefore seeing the truth, which the scholar should then share with others.
After this, he delves into the scholar’s duties. One’s duties are a large element of transcendentalism as a movement, as many transcendentalists believed that people should care for their fellow human beings and should contribute to society, as well as retaining some degree of independence. Emerson states that the American scholar must observe, and that while astronomers may be doing incredible work charting the stars, the scholar is “...cataloguing obscure and nebulous stars of the human mind…” Here, the author places the human brain as something that is elevated above observable facts. One point that Emerson touches on several times throughout the essay is the idea that one should not focus too much on what has been done in the past, but instead should think creatively and create their own ideas. The author critiques educational institutions and “educated society” for not encouraging enough creative and individual thinking. Emerson frequently mentions the sense of sight in his writing. “The American Scholar” is no exception to this, as at the end of the first paragraph in this selection, he specifically states that the scholar “...is the world’s eye.” The scholar as a figure is a translator of sorts, and needs to truly see the world in order to share these thoughts with others. The author also personifies reason, and states that reason will share information with the scholar, and that the scholar’s duty is to then make this known to others.
All of these ideas are quite admirable. For a specifically American context, this does make sense, as the idea of not relying too much on past ideas and the notion of action are American ideals at that time period. The eagerness to have a unique “American” voice can be seen within Emerson’s emphasis on thinking creatively for yourself. Independent thinking and relying on your own mind is something that is valued very highly by Emerson, and ties in with typical American values in this time.
In the modern world, this would perhaps look different amongst all of our digital advancements. But I think that Emerson’s outline still holds up today, as these three elements have stood the test of time. I believe that, if anything, we could benefit from more interaction with nature and books, as it feels like we’re always being pulled into digital realms where our attention is being pulled in several different directions at once. Despite the changes to our world, Emerson’s outline for the American Scholar still rings true today.
