According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American Scholar is one whose individual character is split. The Emersonian character is made up of many different parts, therefore influenced by several aspects of everyday life. As Emerson states, "Man is priest, and scholar, and statesman, and producer, and soldier. In the divided or social state, these functions are parceled out to individuals, each of whom aims to do his stint of the joint work, whilst each other performs his" (294). One can easily relate one's own life to each of these characteristics as it is evident what Emerson is stating. As man is both one of each person, he is all of them combined.
             As Emerson describes the influences on man as parceled persons of society, it seems as if he is describing professions. However, it is clear that Emerson is using the professions of the priest, scholar, statesman, producer and soldier as metaphors for the characteristics of the individual. Each of these professions are influenced by what Emerson describes as educational inspiration by nature, books and action. As a priest, the individual is learning though books and action. One who preaches and believes in what is learned will ultimately receive the most beneficial and experiential education.
             The scholar is the common collegiate individual who envelops one's self in study. Although the influences of action and nature may play a part in the life of the scholar, nevertheless, it is books that influence this aspect of one's educational life. However, as Emerson explains, "Meek young men grow up in libraries, believing it their duty to accept the views which Cicero, which Locke, which Bacon have given, forgetful that Cicero, Locke and Bacon were only young men in libraries when they wrote these books" (297). Here, one can see that Emerson is saying that one must not simply take in the ideas which books present, but rather to inspire one's own thoug...