Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
Ralph Waldo Emerson – Poems, Quotes & Books- Biography
About the Poet
Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist and poet, who was the first distinctively American author to influence European thought.
Emerson was born in Boston on May 25, 1803. In 1829 he became minister of the Second Church (Unitarian) of Boston. In that same year he married Ellen Tucker, who died 17 months later. In 1833, Emerson settled in Concord, Massachusetts, and became active as a lecturer in Boston. His most detailed statement of belief was reserved for his first published book, Nature (1836), which appeared anonymously, but was soon correctly attributed to him. In 1846 his first volume of Poems was published (dated however, 1847).
The Conduct of Life (1860) was the first of his books to enjoy immediate popularity. Included in this volume of essays are “Power”, “Wealth”, “Fate”, and “Culture”. This was followed by a collection of poems entitled May Day and Other Pieces (1867), which had previously been published in The Dial and the Atlantic Monthly. Although he did little writing after this time, and his mental powers declined, Emerson’s reputation as a writer spread. Society and Solitude (1870) contained material he had been using on western lecture touts, and Pamassus (1874) was merely a collection of his favourite poems. His works also include Letters and Social Aims (1876) and Natural History of Intellect (1893). Emerson died in Concord on April 27, 1882.
About the Poem
The poem is in the form of a dialogue between the mountain and the squirrel. The mountain is proud of its big size. It calls the squirrel a little prig. The squirrel is self-respecting. It is no disgrace to be a squirrel because everything has its own importance in the world. In God’s creation, both the big and the small, the rich and the poor have a definite place. If the squirrel cannot have forests on its back, the mountain cannot crack a nut.
Poem: The Mountain and The Squirrel
The Mountain and The Squirrel
The Mountain and The Squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig’
Bun replied,
You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together
To make up a year
And a sphere,
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place,
If I’m not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry:
I’ll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track.
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
‘If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.’
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Appreciation
This poem is a dialogue between the mountain and the squirrel. The mountain, in its towering size, looks down upon the squirrel and calls it a “little prig”. The squirrel justifies its existence. In God’s creation both the big and the small, the rich and the poor, have a distinct quality and a definite place. Neither should condemn the other. Neither should be considered as weak or useless.
Further Study of the Poem
Here is an imaginary quarrel between a mountain and a squirrel. One is proud of its huge size, so is the other of her small size. All things great and small have their own place and usefulness in this world. Like the differing seasons of the year, abilities differ. The big mountain carries forests and bears tracks for animals on its back but it cannot crack a nut or run about like a small squirrel. Therefore, all is well and wisely put in this world.
Important links
What is poetry? What are its main characteristics?
What is a lyric and what are its main forms?
Disclaimer
