Gifts

E170992

"Gifts" is an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson that reflects on the nature, meaning, and moral implications of giving and receiving presents.

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Label Occurrences
Gifts canonical 1

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Statements (45)

Predicate Object
instanceOf essay
author Ralph Waldo Emerson
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
discusses authenticity in human relations
ideal of disinterested giving
moral implications of giving
moral implications of receiving
obligations created by gifts
relationship between giver and receiver
self-reliance in relationships
sincerity in giving
symbolic meaning of presents
genre moral essay
philosophical essay
hasTheme best gifts express the giver’s character
independence and self-reliance in giving
material value is less important than moral value
spiritual dimension of giving
tension between social convention and moral principle
true generosity comes from the heart
influencedBy Emerson’s transcendental philosophy
influences later discussions of ethical gift-giving
literary treatments of generosity and obligation
language English
literaryForm prose
literaryMovement Transcendentalism
mainTopic ethics of giving
friendship
generosity
gift-giving
gratitude
moral philosophy
social customs
notableFor critique of conventional gift customs
emphasis on sincerity over material value
integration of ethical and spiritual perspectives on giving
period 19th century American literature
philosophicalTradition Transcendentalism
surface form: American Transcendentalism
relatedWorkOfAuthor Emerson’s collected essays
surface form: Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Of Friendship”
surface form: Friendship (essay)

Self-Reliance
usedIn courses on American Transcendentalism
courses on moral philosophy in literature
literature courses on Emerson
workOf Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.