Emerson as a Writer
Ralph Waldo Emerson is an extremely unique reader, writer, and poet whose works emphasize the voice of an honest man attempting to grasp an understanding of life. Through his essays titled, Experience and History, readers can take hold of certain theories into Emerson’s way of thinking and writing. By grasping an understanding of these works, it will show how writing matters when applied to Emerson’s way of thinking.
The means of writing for Emerson includes a variety of ideas and concepts. He was a powerful individual when it came to his work; therefore he placed a great deal of attention to the very idea of writing, as seen through a variety of his published works. The concept of writing was important for Emerson because it could be seen as a way for self-expression.
Writing is an ongoing experience that shows a constant progression of evolution. For example, when talking about Emerson as a poet and analyzing his poetry, he uses this form of writing to show a highly structured argument that conforms to the limitations of poetry. This shows the true strength, as a writer because he is able to get is point across, while structurally following the guidelines of poetry.
At the start of his essay, Experience, Emerson opens with a poem that shows a similar structure to that of the whole essay. He beings to talk about the experience of life and how gaining a perspective on the issue can be somewhat difficult. By opening the essay with this poem, it shows Emerson’s poetic genius as both a poet and writer. He uses writing as a means to show the audience his perspective on the issue of life after losing his son who was very dear to him. Following the poem, Emerson starts off the Experience with a powerful question, “Where do we find ourselves?” (Experience, pg.198) The effect of using this question following the poem demonstrates Emerson’s capabilities of being a very powerful and intellectual writer.
A huge emphasis on the importance of writing is placed through the structure of his argument through many of his essays. Ralph Waldo Emerson states in his essay, Experience, “Life is a train of moods like a string of beads, and as we pass though them, they prove to be many-colored lenses which pain the world their own hue, and each shows only what lies in its focus.” (Experience, pg.200)
I feel that this quote is interesting when you compare it to his unique style of writing because it shows a reflection of writing in a different circumstance. Life can be categorized as a thread, and on this thread, there are a variety of beads lined up in a particular order with a different color representing a different time. Each bead represents a period of time that is unlike a bead before or behind it. Writing for Emerson can be seen as one of these beads he writes about because based on different life experiences, you focus on what matters during that time period.
One of the key theories of Emerson’s writing, as I understand, it would be to embrace oneself in literature by becoming all it has to offer. As seen in History, Emerson writes, “A painter told me that nobody could draw a tree without in some sort becoming a tree; or draw a child by studying the outlines of its form merely, -but, by watching for a time his motions and plays, the painter enters into his nature, and can then draw him at will in every attitude.” (History, pg.110)
Emerson places a huge emphasis on his audience to understand and grasp certain concepts. As seen through this quote in History, Emerson wants the readers to infuse themselves into the experience in order to gain a complete understanding of what they are involved in. Every task or obstacle has a purpose; therefore one should be completely drawn into the concept of understanding every aspect the task has to offer. By illustrating a painter becoming a tree in order to fully grasp his work, it shows the ability to fully understand what is being created. When linking this argument to his work, Emerson uses his life experiences and understanding in order to create his written arguments.
Emerson’s writing style in my views is enhanced from his theory of writing. Emerson was clearly inspired by ideas and expressions in which he used through his writings. I believe that his writing style is not detracted from his theory of writing because he was clearly inspired by universal ideas and truth and did not write to satisfy the beliefs of audiences. It is so hard to clearly define Emerson because he is indefinable. He has characteristics like that of no other writer and by viewing his works this is clearly illustrated.
Conventional Wisdom had it that Emerson’s own practice of writing failed to match up to his theory. I somewhat agree to this idea because Emerson is so difficult to clearly understand. He makes many valid points and arguments, however his practice sometimes failed to match up to his theory. Although his may be true, Emerson’s writing style enhances his theory of writing.
Emerson can be described as a powerful writer who truly had a gift towards expressing his thoughts without the fear of having to be understood by his audience. I believe that writing is an outlet for Emerson’s poetic talents to be revealed. I also strongly think that Emerson was not concerned about being understood by his audience. Writing for Emerson demonstrates his understanding of his individual beliefs and therefore allows any individual to gain meaning from it.
Works Cited:
Porte, Joel, and Saundra Morris. Emerson’s Prose and Poetry. 1st. New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011. Print.
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