Critical Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the greatest of the Transcendentalists, is often considered to be the central thinker in American history. In essays such as "Self-Reliance" and poems such as "Concord Hymn," he gave voice to ideals that Americans have held dear ever since.

Critical Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson is a reliable and up-to-date resource for students interested in this prolific author. This illustrated volume examines Emerson's life and 140 of his most important works, including all of his major essays and 60 of his poems.

Coverage includes:

• A concise but thorough biography
• Entries on major books; lectures; essays, such as "Self-Reliance," "Nature," and "The Over-Soul"; poems, such as "Concord Hymn," "Brahma," and "Merlin"; and more
• Entries on related people, places, and topics, including Henry David Thoreau, Concord, the Transcendental Club, Unitarianism, the Dial, and more
• Appendixes, including a chronology of Emerson's life, a bibliography of his works, and primary and secondary sources.

The first part of each book consists of a brief biography of the writer. The second part contains entries on the writer's works, including characters, crucial historical and thematic information, and critical discussion. The third part contains entries on related people, places, themes, topics, and influences, and the fourth part consists of an appendix, including a bibliography of the writer's work, a bibliography of secondary sources, a chronology of the writer's life, and more.

This series is perfect for high school and college students, English and literature teachers, researchers, and literature enthusiasts.

· With its emphasis on critical analysis, combined with in-depth information on each writer's life, this series provides comprehensive, one-stop resources for students and scholars alike.