Teachers' Outlines for Studies in English Part 20

State two or three of Burke's arguments in the form of a syllogism.

Find examples of climax; of contrast; of parallel structure; of biblical language.

What evidence do you find here of Burke's wide learning? philosophical turn of mind? conservatism? moral earnestness?

Find pa.s.sages that indicate the oratorical character of this work.

Find ill.u.s.trations of epigrams, practical maxims for men in public life.

Verify the statement that the secret of Burke's richness of thought "consisted to a large extent in his habit of viewing things in their _causes_ and tracing them out in their _results_."

Find several pa.s.sages that ill.u.s.trate Burke's power of imagination.

Find ill.u.s.trations of colloquial expressions like "such a pa.s.s," "have done the business," etc. Find also ill.u.s.trations of poetic expressions quite the opposite of these.

Examine carefully the structure of several paragraphs, for example, those beginning with l. 4, p. 70; l. 19, p. 70; l. 27, p. 72; l. 26, p.

90; l. 29, p. 95; l. 16, p. 96. Find the topic sentence, if there is one; show how the other sentences are related to it and to one another; show how the principles of ma.s.s and proportion have been followed; note the logical order of thought and the means for securing a close coherence.

THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE AUTHOR.--Find out what you can of Burke's childhood home; his education; his early tastes and tendencies; his early experiences in London; his entrance into politics; his reputation in public affairs; his home life; his att.i.tude toward the French Revolution; his characteristics as an orator; the endurance of his work in government and literature. Write a character sketch of Burke, drawing upon this speech for ill.u.s.trations wherever possible.

OUTLINE FOR THE STUDY OF EMERSON'S ESSAYS

Emerson did not write for children. His essays are intended for those who have at least some maturity of mind, and the will to think. It is evident that if the essays are to be studied in high school they should be undertaken only by advanced cla.s.ses. But there are many in our high schools who will be able to understand enough of Emerson's thought to make a study of his essays exceedingly profitable. It will require good judgment on the part of the teacher to determine which topics should be thoroughly mastered, and which should be lightly touched upon, for no one will doubt that the high school is not the place for a thorough study of such essays.

I. Preparation

If the cla.s.s has studied Carlyle or Ruskin, it will be well to begin with a comparison of these two men with Emerson in order to show the latter's place as a self-appointed teacher and his motives in presenting to his audience such matters as he discusses in his essays and addresses. A brief study of the life and character of Emerson will help us to understand his message. Before a.s.signing one of the essays for study the teacher should provide for the cla.s.s a brief outline or a.n.a.lysis, and explain the general thought which it contains. The thought is often so difficult to follow that it is unwise to require the pupil to make his own outlines.

II. Reading and Study

With the aid of an outline or a.n.a.lysis the first reading should enable the student to get a fair understanding of the essay as a whole. He should know the theme and what it means, the author's plan and method of development.

The second reading should be taken up with as much attention to detail as the maturity of the cla.s.s makes advisable. Care should be observed that in the study of details the larger unit be not forgotten. To this end the teacher, by frequent review, should make sure of a thorough mastery of the outline, and by questions should bring out the connection between details and main propositions. Parrot work, to which there is a strong temptation whenever hard thinking is called for, can be avoided by requiring the pupil to state in his own words the main ideas, which Emerson frequently embodies in epigrammatic form.

III. Study of Each Essay as a Whole

_The American Scholar_

What is the theme of this essay?

What distinction does Emerson make between "the farmer" and "Man on the farm," between "the scholar" and "Man Thinking"?

Emerson speaks of the education of the scholar by nature, by books, and by action. Develop his idea of education by nature. What does Lowell say of the influence of nature on man in the early part of _The Vision of Sir Launfal_?

How does Emerson think the scholar should be educated by books? Explain his meaning in the following expressions about reading: "Yet hence arises a grave mischief" (p. 39); "Books are for the scholar's idle times" (p. 42); "One must be an inventor to read well" (p. 43).

To what extent is Emerson's idea of the use of books applicable to the high school student?

What is meant by "education by action"? Explain the following: "Only so much do I know, as I have lived" (p. 45), and "Life is our dictionary"

(p. 47).

What are the duties of the scholar and how are they comprised in self-trust? (p. 49).

"In self-trust all the virtues are comprehended" (p. 52). Discuss this statement, showing what is meant by self-trust, what virtues are comprehended in it, and what virtues, if any, are not comprehended in it.

What new spirit in literature is noted on pp. 58 and 59?

Where, besides in literature, does Emerson find the same spirit?

Did he regard his own age as a fortunate or unfortunate one for living?

Why?

Summarize the concluding paragraph.

_Self-reliance_

What is the theme of this essay?

What leading idea in this essay was also in the last?

What conclusion does Emerson draw from the fact that children and youth are independent and unaffected in their opinions?

Why do they change as they grow older?

Explain the meaning of the following: "Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members" (p. 69).

"Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist" (p. 69).

Account for Emerson's scornful reference to "popular charities" (p. 71).

Show how our consistency is "a terror that scares us from self-trust"

(p. 75).

What virtue does one need to have to be able to scorn consistency? (p.

77, l. 1).

What fault does Emerson find with hero worship? (p. 80).

What are intuitions?

Whence do they come?

Show clearly how Emerson bases his belief in self-trust on his belief in intuitions.