Transcendentalism

1
Transcendentalism
2
Literature reflects society.

• 1830s- 40s

3
Transcendentalism-

• Philosophical movement
• transcendental means the knowledge or
  understanding a person gains intuitively
• Intense individualism
• Self-reliance
• We can intuit truths of the universe
• Unity in God, (Over-soul) world, humanity,
  nature? share the same soul so no part of world
  is trivial

4
Further Beliefs

• Unlimited human potential
• Peoples thoughts and intuitions were the voice
  of God or the Over-soul
• Didnt care for organized religion or government
  because the mind was the strongest power in the
  universe
• If in tune with nature, then you could connect to
  God and TRANSCEND all of that stuff

5
Really, this side period of romanticism
produced only 2 major works.

• Ralph Waldo Emersons Nature
• Henry David Thoreaus Walden

6
Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Pastor in Boston
• Wife of less than 2 years died of TB
• Didnt like restrictions of his religion
• Industrial revolution showed humans being
  replaced by machines
• SO

7
began to question his faith

• Believed human mind was most important factor in
  the universe
• Resigned and traveled to Europe to speak with
  great philosophers of the day
• Upon return he sparked the movement
• Influenced young people of the day- eloquent
• Widely requested speaker

8

• Remarried and for first time not poor, and
  instead, entertained great thinkers of the time
  some people would gather there often to discuss
  ideas

9
Most Notable Works

• Nature
• Self- Reliance
• Concord Hymn

10

11
Henry David Thoreau

• Known as eccentric even as a child
• Rarely followed rules strong-willed
• Only went to school at mothers urging
• At Harvard- dress code called for black coat- he
  wore green
• While there he heard Emerson and loved ideas

12

• BUT

13

• Wanted to be active in transcendentalism, not
  just discuss it.
• In protest of slavery and Mexican War, didnt pay
  taxes
• Jailed for only a day, but still .
• Moved into house with Emerson and became friends
  and his disciple

14

• Built small, rough cabin to live alone on Walden
  Pond
• 2 years, 2 months, 2 days
• Used the four seasons to structure Walden
• Natural observations, social criticism, and
  philosophical insights

15
(No Transcript)
16
Most Notable Works

• Walden
• Civil Disobedience

17
"I went to the woods because I wished to live
deliberately, to front only the essential facts
of life, and see if I could not learn what it had
to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover
that I had not lived."
18
(No Transcript)
19
Teens for Transcendentalism

• Agree to come dressed in your mood
• Will have class outside
• Ideas to improve society, school
• Views of religion, faith
• Favorite places in nature- bring PIX