Great men, great nations, have not been boasters and buffoons, but perceivers of the Terror of Life, and have manned themselves to face it ("Fate").

Some readers, critics especially, believe Ralph Waldo Emerson's writing to be unconvincing because of the optimism that seems fake and unrealistic. Harold Bloom, a very prominent figure in contemporary criticism, said that Emerson was "...by no means the greatest American writer" (1). Many critics, whom some claim did not have an open mind, said that Emerson's style of writing lacked mentioning of evil. Due to a lack of writing about evil, some critics categorize Emerson as a dreamer and do not take Emerson seriously. Many other people greatly admire Emerson's style of transcendental writing. They understand his optimism to be a search for complete answers to life's difficult situations and inner peace. In reality, scholars will always have conflicting opinions when they are criticizing works of literature. Emerson's works are no different. Even though there are people who believe that Emerson was unrealistic, others believe there were reasons for his optimistic ideas.

Emerson himself claimed that he was trying to change people. He was "bringing man back to consciousness" (Kazin 31). He wanted to show people the different opportunities that were available; evil was not the only choice. A friend of Emerson's, Carlyle, told Emerson that he was "a new man in a new country" (Kazin 31). Carlyle understood that Emerson was trying to preach what he had learned; Carlyle explained that Emerson had been reborn into thinking as a transcendentalist. All of the bad things that had happened in Emerson's life resulted in new, more positive ideas. From these experiences, Emerson shared what he had learned by encouraging others, knowing that they might not be open to positive situations after reoccurring bad events.

From seeing both views on Emerson's style of writing, I have concluded that Emerson scavenged throughout his life looking for a sense of completeness. He tried to put his past behind him while still learning from all of the setbacks that occurred in his life. Henry James' thoughts about Emerson's eyes being bandaged may seem to be true at first, but when more in-depth studies are conducted, we can understand that Emerson chooses to find positive solutions to problems (Arvin 18). He reached into his soul, searching for each drop of sunshine. Then Emerson took that a step deeper. When he preached his wisdom to the people around him and taught them how to cope with tragedy and pain, he continued to follow his search for happiness. "For thousands of earth's children, Emerson has taken away the barriers that shut out the sun and has secured the unimpeded, cheerful circulation of the light of heaven, and the wholesome air of day" (Dewey 29). Emerson released the prisoners from their cells, giving them a chance to be reborn. He inspired them to change their lives for the better by teaching them to find good things out of evil. "No American writer ever played more roles than Emerson the inspirer, the 'mystic,' the poet, and the inhuman perfectionist" (Kazin 28). Emerson touched many readers during his time, and proved his ability to fight past sadness until the last breath to find true happiness within the soul.

Many critics have discussed Emerson's level of optimism, concluding that he was only searching for the most complete understanding of life. He was not overly optimistic. Emerson's search began during his harsh childhood. At age four, the first presence of evil appeared when the oldest brother in the family died. When Emerson experienced loss at an early age, part of his maturing process might have been damaged or altered. Only four years later, Emerson was forced to suffer with yet another death in his life. William Emerson, Ralph Waldo Emerson's father, passed away in 1811. This left Emerson's mother, Ruth, to manage teaching all five children in formal education as well as how to grow up in order to raise a family (Richardson 19-21).

Some critical analysts who have studied Emerson's life in depth have understood the reasoning behind Emerson's optimistic view of life. These critics believe that Emerson was trying to open his listeners and readers up to new ideas. "For thousands of earth's children, Emerson has taken away the barriers that shut out the sun and has secured the unimpeded, cheerful circulation of the light of heaven, and the wholesome air of day" (Dewey 29). Dewey presents a view to readers that Emerson's optimism was directed toward teaching the common reader about the positive situations that life wraps for each person. The opportunities are available, but many people do not open their gift. The wrapping

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