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Demonstrate how Emerson uses personification and allusion in his essays.

As you’ve seen throughout the module, American Romantics were convinced that simple, more self-reliant ways of life were superior to modern, "rational" and industrial approaches. They also believed that, overall, passion and spirituality were better guides for human behavior than reason. In the essays Nature and Self-Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson uses personification and allusion to explore and develop these Romantic themes.

Reread this lesson's excerpts from Emerson's essays, and identify at least one example of allusion and one example of personification in either excerpt. For each example, explain how Emerson’s use of the device helps him accomplish the overall purpose of the essay. Also, explain how the examples relate to Romantic ideals more generally.

Your assignment will be graded using the following rubric.

 

 Superior
5 points 		Average
3 points 		Poor
1 point
Examples of Literary Devices Your examples of personification and allusion in Emerson's essays are excellent representations of the devices.Your examples of personification and allusion in Emerson's essays are accurate representations of the devices.One or both of your examples of personification and allusion in Emerson's essays are not accurate representations of the devices.
ConnectionsYour explanation of the connections between Emerson's use of literary devices and Romantic-era themes is very clear and convincing.You explain some of the connections between Emerson's use of literary devices and Romantic-era themes. Some of your ideas are not entirely clear or convincing, though.Your explanation of the connections between literary devices and Romantic-era themes was difficult to follow and/or not accurate.