Study Questions on "The Poet" (Emerson)

1. What sort of person is the poet, as Emerson describes him? In what ways is he "representative" and in what ways is he "special"? Compare this poet with the one represented by Poe in "The Philosophy of Composition."

2. What should the poet's work be like? What sort of form should it take? What sort of subjects does he write about? Compare Emerson's description of the ideal work with Poe's.

3. What should the effect of a great poem be on the reader? Consider terms like "metamorphosis" and "liberating god." Again, compare this effect with the effect that Poe thought the poet should try to bring about?