Ralph Waldo Emerson · English Literature

In the essay 'Circles', Emerson uses the circle as a symbol for what philosophical idea?

  1. The repetitive nature of human suffering
  2. The eternal expansion of the soul and human thought
  3. The social boundaries that prevent individual growth
  4. The equality of all men before the law
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Correct answer: The eternal expansion of the soul and human thought

For Emerson, every achieved goal or thought becomes a 'circle' that should be broken to form a larger one. The circle represents the limitless potential of human consciousness to expand beyond its current limits.

Difficulty: Medium Question 8 of 20

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