Download
1 / 14
140 likes | 149 Views
Explore the roots, beliefs, and key figures of American Transcendentalism, a literary movement that emphasized the individual's connection with nature and the pursuit of higher truth through intuition. Discover how Transcendentalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau challenged societal norms and advocated for self-reliance, simplicity, and non-conformity.
E N D
American Transcendentalism “ It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, always do what you are afraid to do.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
ROOTS OF TRANSCENDENTALISM • Puritanism - belief in God as a powerful force - belief that each individual can experience God first-hand
Roots of Transcendentalism • Romanticism • placed central importance on emotions and the individual • emphasized intuition and inner perception of truth that differs from reason • emphasized nature’s beauty, strangeness, and mystery • emphasized individual expression and artistic freedom
Transcendentalism • A literary movement in the 1830s that established a clear “American voice.” • Emerson first expressed his philosophy in his essay “Nature.” • A belief in a higher reality than that achieved by human reasoning. • Suggests that every individual is capable of discovering this higher truth through intuition. • “Over-Soul” - a spiritual connection to everything around us
TRANSCENDENTALISM • God gave humankind the gift of intuition, • the gift of insight, • the gift of inspiration. Why waste such a gift?
Unlike Puritans, Transcendentalists saw humans and nature as possessing an innate goodness. “In the faces of men and women, I see God.” -Walt Whitman • Opposed strict ritualism, tradition, and dogma of established religion.
TRANSCENDENTAL BELIEFS • OPTIMISTIC: • All is good. Evil is an illusion.
Transcendentalism: The tenets: • Believed in living close to nature/importance of nature. Nature is the source of truth and inspiration. • Taught the dignity of manual labor • Advocated self-trust/ confidence (intuition) • Valued individuality/non-conformity/free thought • Advocated self-reliance/ simplicity • The unlimited potential of each individual
The first transcendentalists • Ralph Waldo Emerson • Margaret Fuller • Henry David Thoreau • Bronson Alcott
Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882-a philosopher, poet, essayist, lecturer- “a soft-spoken man, given to neither physical nor emotional excess. Beneath his calm, sober demeanor existed a restless, highly individualistic mind that resisted conformity.” • As a youth, his independent thinking was encouraged by his aunt • entered Harvard at age 14 • Became a pastor of a Unitarian church • Resigned after three years when his wife died • Traveled to Europe and spent time with English authors • Remarried and settled in Concord, MA – the home of Transcendentalism
Ralph Waldo Emerson “Nature” focuses on man’s relationship with nature “Self-Reliance” focuses on the individual’s relationship to society “Trust thyself”
Henry David Thoreau1817-1862 • A disciple and friend of Emerson • As a child, known to be independent, strong willed, eccentric and a rule breaker • Quite his first teaching job because he objected to the use of corporal punishment • 1841 – moved in to the house of Emerson for two years • Dedicated himself to testing the Transcendentalist philosophies • Thoreau began “essential” living • Built a cabin on land owned by Emerson in Concord, Mass. near Walden Pond • Lived alone there for two years studying nature and seeking truth within himself
“Civil Disobedience” • Thoreau’s essay urging passive, non-violent resistance to governmental policies to which an individual is morally opposed. • Influenced individuals such a Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Cesar Chavez
TRANSCENDENTALISM • Transcendentalism began with a few and grew. • This philosophy lasted for several years in New England (peeked from 1930-1940) • It ended as the Civil War began.
