The American Scholar

Essay | Ralph Waldo Emerson

How can the scholar arm himself for the betterment of America?

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How can the scholar arm himself for the betterment of America? [2016] ✪✪✪

Or, What are the three main influences on the American Scholar, and how do they work?

In “The American Scholar” (1837), Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) describes the three significant influences that shape a scholar’s mind. They are Nature, Books, and Action. These influences guide the scholar’s growth and prepare him to serve society. Emerson believes that a true scholar must learn from life and not depend blindly on tradition. He must study Nature with love, read Books with wisdom, and unite Thought with Action to become a complete “Man Thinking.”

Influence of Nature: Emerson calls Nature the first and most powerful teacher. He says, 

“Nature is the opposite of the soul, answering to it part for part.”

The scholar learns harmony, order, and truth by observing Nature. The sunrise teaches hope,
the seasons teach change, and the sky teaches infinity. When the scholar studies Nature, he understands his own spirit. For Emerson, Nature connects man with God. It opens the mind to wisdom and fills the heart with divine inspiration.

Influence of Books: The second great influence is Books, or what Emerson calls “the mind of the past.” Books preserve the thoughts of great men and inspire the present age. Emerson says, 

“Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst.”

A true scholar reads books not to copy but to awaken his own thinking. He accepts only what is true and rejects what is false. Books give knowledge, but they must serve as a guide, not as a master.

Right Use of Books: Emerson warns against the blind worship of books. He says that people often love the book more than the truth inside it. They become “the parrot of other men’s thinking.” The scholar must read with freedom and originality. He must think for himself and write for his own time. Emerson adds, 

“Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding.” 

Thus, books should inspire new ideas, not imprison the mind.

Influence of Action: The third significant influence is Action. Emerson believes that a scholar must not only think but also act. Experience gives depth to knowledge. He says, 

“Experience is converted into thought.” 

Through work, travel, and social life, the scholar comes to understand the complexities of human nature. Action gives him the raw material for reflection and writing. It also teaches courage, sympathy, and wisdom. Emerson believes that only through real experience can a scholar understand life and express it in words.

Harmony of Thought and Experience: Emerson seeks a balance between thought and action. He says that “the final value of action is that it can cause thought.” Just as day and night follow each other, thought and action must move together. The scholar must learn from books and Nature, but also live among people and share their struggles. By joining mind and deed, the scholar becomes strong, wise, and human. Emerson believes that this harmony leads to spiritual and national progress.

In summary, Emerson shows that Nature, Books, and Action are the three pillars of education. Nature teaches truth and unity; Books give wisdom of the past; and Action turns knowledge into power. Together, they make the scholar both thinker and doer. Emerson’s message is clear. The true scholar must live a full, active, and original life to serve mankind and his nation.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson
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