The American Scholar

Emerson’s argument in “The American Scholar” still holds true today.


Emerson’s argument still holds true today because the planter fails to look beyond the bushel of his cart. Emerson means that the farmer only sees the value of farming and nothing else. Today lawyers are too focused on reading law books and looking at evidence. The lawyer overlooks the machine that makes toys and everything else. Today there are so many different occupations, you have to specialize in one type of occupation. If you want to become an engineer, you can become a mechanical or electrical engineer. Everybody asks me what I want to be when I get older. I am under so much pressure from society I don't know what to say I want to be. That is the point Emerson is making.


Emerson’s argument still holds true today because if you are math teacher, you are too focused on math. Since you are focused on math, you overlook science and social studies. Emerson’s argument holds true today because man can be all things and not just one. You can become anybody you want to be. Society just gets in your way and that is why society is bad. Society just encourages you to be something you aren’t or what you want to be. If you want to become a pro football player, you probably could if you try hard enough. Society gets in your way by saying that the chances are slim and you have too much schoolwork to do. Emerson’s argument still holds true today.