History
The main argument of History comes from reference to historical figures and events. Within the essay, Emerson commonly names historical figures like Plato, Napoleon, and Goethe. All these people show the diversity of human thought in history. From the ancient Greeks to the modern era, human personality has always developed from nature. As Emerson quotes Napoleon in the essay: “What is History, but a fable agreed upon?” The development of history comes from humanity alone.
Gothic Cathedral
The strongest image within History is that of the “Gothic Cathedral”. The image/form of the Gothic cathedral emerges from nature. The architectural structure is meant to imitate the form of a forest. It is in the forest where humanity first understood the divine. It is, as Emerson says, “The Gothic cathedral is a blossoming in stone subdued by the insatiable demand of harmony in man.” He sees all sacred structures as attempting to replicate the primordial nature of the forest. It is only in these places of infinity can humanity feel the transcendental nature of the divine.
The Painted Tree
Emerson's image of the “painted tree” is how humanity understands nature. It is through the divine nature of humanity individuals can understand the natural world. The entire natural world is unified in this concept of understanding. The human is able to understand the tree through creative endeavors. Just as humans can comprehend the tree, they too can understand the process of history.
Intellectual Nomadism
The inability of people unrooted in culture to understand the process of history. Emerson sees nomads as being unable to understand history. History is the collected actions of a culture rooted in some origin. Nomads then lack the necessary basis to write or comprehend culture. Emerson too sees this as an affliction of some in the modern era. “Intellectual Nomadism” are those who are unable to develop an understanding of history. The individuals unrooted in history can never understand the process Emerson describes. Human understanding is necessary to comprehend history.
Man
All history Emerson sees as dating to the first man. This first individual was the closest to the divine source from which history, humanity, and society emerges from. All possibility was enfolded in the religiosity of this first man. From the first man the possibility of humanity emerged and was fulfilled. Emerson acknowledges all fulfillment comes from the fulfillment of the individual. As he says, “To the poet, to the philosopher, to the saint, all things are friendly and sacred, all events profitable, all days holy, all men divine.”
