[This essay was put together after Emerson's death from a number of commencement and similar addresses he had made. It appears in The Complete Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, edited by Edward Emerson].
Freshly shucked oysters can be immersed in water and placed in shallow, air-tight containers in the freezer. Freezer temperatures should be below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Oysters can be frozen for up to three months.
Quick Answer. Shucked oysters will generally stay fresh for 4 to 7 days if they are kept in a refrigerator with temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bacterial growth and spoiling. Oysters that are kept at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit will spoil much quicker.