The American Scholar

A detailed Summary of 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

Simon is the epitomized figure of Emerson's educational society. He is one and all of a priest, scholar, statesman, producer and soldier. As priest, Simon is teaching Monty about the real world, outside the secure world of academics he is used to. As scholar, we see Simon reading Whitman's Leaves of Grass throughout the film which proves he is not only street smart, but an intellectual as well. As statesman, one sees Simon lecturing at Harvard. Although he is not really providing public service, he is displaying the traits of the Emersonian statesman. To Monty, Simon is the ultimate producer. He supplies Monty with knowledge of the real world that people live in, thus changing Monty's thesis and ultimately, his life. Simon lives his life in nature, or "in the field," and is therefore an example of the Emersonian soldier. He has survived through thick and thin and has remained devoted to himself as a survivor.

Although Simon represents Emerson's explanation of the contributing individuals of society, nevertheless, in Simon's world, the work is not divided equally. There is always some remainder of useless help to the world of academia and society on a whole. In this film, one can see that the society on a whole has been cut out, for the emphasis is on the world of the main character Monty. Harvard is the center of intellectual collegiate study in the United States. Simply living in such an environment educated Simon and Monty. The submersion in the world of academia does more than to simply motivate an individual to be successful. It also inspires a person to discover their own principles and beliefs based on the facts which are taught.

A scholar from any field must be dedicated and have honor toward themselves in order to achieve scholarship in education. Emerson describes the soldier in society as part of every individual. The soldier takes all of the aspects that Emerson describes. The soldier learns from books, then acts upon what he or she learns and performs that action, in the field, or as Emerson describes, nature. The soldier proves to be the optimal example of Em

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Approximate Word count = 1411
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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