The American Scholar
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
" However, as one looks into the film, it is both Monty and Simon who take on the characteristics of Emerson's "The American Scholar. Simply living in such an environment educated Simon and Monty. " It is at this point that one can relate Emerson's standpoint of learning from books to the character of Simon. As each of these characteristics are a part of the individual, each person has their respective place in society. Monty did not learn to be a better person and write a better thesis through a book, he learned it through the actions and words of Simon. In terms of Nature, the film merely provided a setting for the characters to grow in. Through the character of Simon Wilder, one can see how an individual learns through action, books and nature. Every moment the teacher is instructing, the teacher is learning from the student. He was, in fact, a smart person who learned in many ways. Although Simon represents Emerson's explanation of the contributing individuals of society, nevertheless, in Simon's world, the work is not divided equally. The three aspects of learning can be directly related to this film for the display of learning through nature, books and action prove to be a part of the plot and theme of this film. He supplies Monty with knowledge of the real world that people live in, thus changing Monty's thesis and ultimately, his life. " The soldier has honor, devotion, and discipline; all characteristics that can be extremely beneficial to the scholar. As the individual is a gainer of knowledge on the whole, the production is the scholar later in life as the teacher. Emerson explains how it is not only the pupil who learns from the teacher, but the same process works in reverse order.
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Acceptance Essays
