The American Scholar

While reading "The American Scholar" I learned that Ralph Waldo Emerson is an extremely intelligent writer.  Considering my level of reading and writing isn't as great as his, i found his essay to be difficult to understand in some parts.

I think his main goal of this essay is to spread his knowledge on how to become a better student.  He expresses his thoughts on how people should branch out and have their own way of thinking.  People should not just stick to the thoughts and ideas they were brought up to believe in by their parents, but go out and explore and create their own logic themselves.  

Emerson also states that "The theory of books is noble".  He shows that in order to increase a person's reading and writing skills, all they need to do is read a lot of books.  Books that will expand the mind.  

Another thing that Emerson explains is important for man to do is become one with nature.  He says that "The first in time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature."

The  21st century Emerson would agree with all of Emerson's theories.  Still to this day, in order to become a smarter intellectual you have to go out and experience different things and broaden your mind with difficult passages by more intelligent writers.

"Help must come from the bosom alone." is another quote that stands out to me.  To me this means that you cannot rely on the help of others if you're not willing to help yourself.