Hazlitt's Essay on Youth and Immortality

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Questions and Answers

According to the content, what is a likely consequence for those of 'greater refinement and wisdom'?

  • They find it easy to connect with and understand the average person.
  • They are often viewed with distrust and animosity by those around them. (correct)
  • They achieve positions of power and influence within their social circles effortlessly.
  • They are typically welcomed and celebrated by their communities.

What does the content suggest happens when an intelligent individual attempts to appease their neighbors by adopting a more modest demeanor?

  • Their neighbors resentment intensifies, fueling a stronger desire for retribution. (correct)
  • They are immediately elevated to a position of prominence within the community.
  • Their neighbors' fear diminishes, leading to more harmonious relations.
  • They are met with genuine acceptance and friendship.

According to the content, how do common people react to the perceived superiority of an intellectual individual?

  • They give the intellectually superior person space.
  • They disregard any perceived flaws or inconsistencies in the individual's character.
  • They focus on their own shortcomings, rather than judging others.
  • They meticulously observe and scrutinize the individual, seeking out any contradictions or imperfections. (correct)

In the content, what analogy is used to describe the predicament of the intellectually superior person in society?

<p>Steers among wild beasts. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is something that the common man does not forget?

<p>That he is nothing nor leave a chance to show that the superior person is just the same as he is. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what does knowing more about a subject cause?

<p>It makes it impossible to make an impression on the common person. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Hazlitt say that he hates?

<p>to be always wise or aims at wisdom (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what does not guarantee influence or control over others?

<p>An understanding of complex subjects. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what is a significant challenge faced by authors when interacting with the public?

<p>The risk of alienating friends through negative rumors which are more easily spread than positive ones, thereby damaging relationships. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest about the 'impertinence of admiration'?

<p>It is almost as unbearable as outright contempt due to its superficiality. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, how do 'sycophants and flatterers' eventually betray intellectual figures?

<p>By initially admiring excessively, then turning to fault-finding when their admiration wanes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What, according to the author, is a primary reason why 'sycophants and flatterers' become fault-finders?

<p>To prove themselves right, as fault-finding works out better for them than flattery. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's view on the relationship between intellectual attainment and interactions with women?

<p>Intellectual achievements are generally irrelevant or even detrimental in romantic relationships. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what happens when scholars talk to ladies of things that they know?

<p>The ladies are no wiser, as they may not understand or appreciate the scholarly topics. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What statement does the author make of original and profound thinkers relative to their potential for becoming successful writers?

<p>The most original and profound thinkers are not necessarily the most successful or popular writers. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author mention the philosopher Hobbes?

<p>To prove that even great philosophers can be forgotten after their death. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Hazlitt, what is a primary reason young people disregard religion?

<p>They possess a sense of immortality and self-sufficiency, leaving no room for a higher power. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What insight does Hazlitt's statement, 'We know our existence only by ourselves,' provide regarding his writing?

<p>It emphasizes the importance of personal experiences and formative impressions in shaping one's understanding of life. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Hazlitt, what do individuals unconsciously transfer to themselves from the 'mighty scene' of nature?

<p>A feeling of durability and splendor, mirroring nature's enduring qualities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Hazlitt implying when he speaks of people defining their reality by turning inward?

<p>Subjective experiences significantly shape one's perception and understanding of the world. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Hazlitt contrast humanity's relationship to nature with a 'flower that blooms and then withers away'?

<p>Humans possess a regenerative power and a sense of immortality akin to nature's cyclical processes, unlike the flower's fleeting existence. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Hazlitt mean when he mentions looking down 'yawning precipices'?

<p>To imply a sense of power and dominion over the natural world. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To what does Hazlitt compare the joy and hope of youth?

<p>Flowers. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested by Hazlitt when writing, 'Like a rustic at a fair, we are full of amazement and rapture, and have no thought of going home, or that it will soon be night.'

<p>A sense of wonder and immersion in the present moment, oblivious to the passage of time or impending end. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these core themes are explored in Hazlitt's 'On the Feeling of Immortality in Youth'?

<p>The connection between youth, nature, and the perception of immortality, alongside a critique of rigid intellectualism. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Hazlitt, what is the relationship between humans and nature?

<p>Humans and nature are interconnected, sharing a transformative power and a sense of renewal. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Hazlitt suggest humans can relate to nature's splendor?

<p>Through constructing grand, eloquent sentences that mimic the immensity of nature. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of Hazlitt's views on religion presented in his work?

<p>Imagination plays a crucial role in the moral life of man. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Hazlitt, what is a potential negative consequence of intellectual superiority?

<p>A tendency to become complex and unintelligible, alienating oneself from others. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 'On the Disadvantages of Intellectual Superiority,' what does Hazlitt imply about the relationship between intellect and happiness?

<p>The quality of one's relationships has more impact on happiness than one's level of intellect. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Hazlitt suggest that intellectually superior individuals fail to do?

<p>Communicate in a way that is accessible and understandable to the average person. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Hazlitt say about original ideas in connection to the listener?

<p>Original ideas distance the speaker from the listener (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Immortality in Youth

Youth feels eternal and invincible, viewing death as insignificant.

Charmed Life

Young people believe they are immune to life's dangers, including death.

Personal Experience

Individual impressions shape one's reality and self-awareness.

Nature's Regeneration

Humans perceive themselves as having the same resilience as nature.

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Impressions from Nature

First and strongest feelings are influenced by the natural world.

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Dying and Nature Comparison

Hazlitt compares human death to falling leaves in nature.

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Joy and Hope of Youth

Youth is characterized by optimism, likened to blooming flowers.

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Interchangeability with Nature

Hazlitt suggests a deep connection between humans and the natural world.

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Hazlitt and Romanticism

Hazlitt's philosophy reflects the ideals of the Romantic Movement and rejects strict rationalism.

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Connection to Nature

Hazlitt believes humans and nature share a transformative power and experience.

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Feeling of Immortality in Youth

Younger individuals often feel a god-like existence and struggle with mortality.

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Role of Imagination

Hazlitt emphasizes imagination as essential to moral life and human experience.

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Intellectual Superiority

Hazlitt discusses how being intellectually superior can isolate individuals from common understanding.

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Impact of Originality

Original thinkers may alienate themselves by presenting complex ideas incomprehensibly.

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Joy in Life

Intellectual superiority does not determine the quality of happiness relative to others.

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Human Morality and Divinity

Hazlitt posits that humans have similar capabilities to shape morality as God has over the universe.

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Societal Indifference

A lack of concern or interest from society towards those perceived as different or superior.

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Humility vs. Weakness

How showing modesty can be viewed as a lack of strength by others.

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Cultural Misunderstanding

When one's refined or intellectual insights are not understood by the common person.

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Imitation of Superiors

Common individuals mimic the behaviors and traits of those they perceive as superior.

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Contradictions in Character

The scrutiny faced by intellectually superior individuals based on their inconsistent behaviors.

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Distance from Society

The emotional gap created between intellectually superior people and the common society.

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Pleasures of the Intellect

The appreciation and joy derived from intellectual pursuits that may be undervalued by the common person.

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Literary Cabals

Groups of authors and critics that influence literature.

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Intellectual Pretensions

The assumption of superior intellectual abilities.

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Sycophants

People who flatter for personal gain.

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Criticism of Flattery

The danger of flattery turning into criticism.

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Intellectual Isolation

Feeling disconnected due to high intellect.

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Women and Intellectuality

Intellectual discussions are often lost on women.

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Transient Fame

Fame that lasts during life but fades after death.

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Value of Character

People value character more than writing talent.

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Study Notes

Hazlitt's Essay on Youth and Immortality

  • Hazlitt argues that young people feel eternal, believing their future holds limitless possibilities and treasures.
  • They view death and old age as illusions, insignificant aspects of life.
  • Youth is seen as a journey brimming with new experiences and prospects.
  • Hazlitt likens this feeling to an unending journey with new prospects constantly appearing.
  • He believes our first impressions shape our perceptions of life's enduring aspects.
  • Young people project the strength and splendor of experiences onto their entire existence.

Hazlitt's View on Personal Experience

  • Hazlitt believed that personal experience is crucial for the perception of existence.
  • He emphasized the importance of direct impressions, and the enduring quality of those strong impressions.
  • "Our first and strongest impressions are borrowed from the mighty scene," argues Hazlitt.
  • These experiences and perceptions color our understanding of the world.
  • Hazlitt also saw a connection between experiencing nature and a sense of immortality.

Hazlitt's Intellectual Superiority

  • Hazlitt's essay "On the Disadvantages of Intellectual Superiority" highlights the potential pitfalls of high intellect.
  • He suggests that intellectual superiority can make one's ideas incomprehensible to the average person.
  • Intellectuals often speak in paradoxes, making their communication difficult and alienating.
  • Hazlitt notes that intellectual excellence does not guarantee popularity or empathy.
  • A superior intellect can appear aloof and confusing to others, possibly leading to social isolation or conflict.

Hazlitt's View on Humankind and Nature

  • Hazlitt connects human experiences to the natural world.
  • He finds a sense of interconnectedness between humanity and nature.
  • Hazlitt likens humans to nature—both having regenerative and lasting qualities.
  • He uses various natural imagery to illustrate this point, specifically referencing the sun, sky, ocean, earth, and creatures.
  • He emphasizes that humans occupy a central place in the natural world, rather than a separate, less important role.

Quotes in Hazlitt's Works

  • Hazlitt mentions various quotes throughout his essays. These quotes, though scattered, reveal his overall themes.

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On the Feelings of Immortality in Youth PDF
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