Transcendentalism

1. Transcendentalism

2. Time Period/Cultural Foundation Mid 1800’s • U.S. is an established country American writers are beginning to make a name for themselves • Desire to break away and establish uniquely American literary form Second Great Awakening • Need to redefine spirituality and religion in light of new understandings of the age • Social reform movements • anti-slavery • women’s rights movement

3. Transcendentalism Philosophical/intellectual movement • Began as a reform movement in the Unitarian church • Religion/closeness to God is dependent upon the individual rather than the institution Protest of the current state of culture and society • institutions corrupt the purity of the individual

4. Basic Beliefs • Intuition (Instinct) a. More important that what one sees b. Trust your “gut” • Individualism (non-conformity) Emerson told Americans a. stop looking to Europe for inspiration /imitation b. be yourselves

5. Turn and Talk • Do you think that most people are conformists or non-conformists? • What are the advantages of conformity? • What are the advantages of non-conformity?

6. 3. Self-Reliance • Anti-Materialism b. People should not be dependent on money or belongings 4. Human Potential a. People are naturally good b. Everyone has limitless potential

7. Turn and Talk • Think of 2 examples of events that are happening today that illustrate self-reliance and human potential. • Be ready to share with the class.

8. 5. Importance of Nature a. Life is wasted pursuing wealth and following social customs. b. Nature can show that "all good things are wild and free” (Thoreau). c. Can learn much of what you need through nature

9. With your elbow partner… Based on the notes so far, read the statement and explain how it relates to the Transcendental movement.

10. Key Players of the Transcendental Movement

11. The Most Famous Transcendentalist Authors • Primarily Nonfiction Writers • Ralph Waldo Emerson (more on him later) • Henry David Thoreau (more on him later) • Primarily Fiction Writers • Nathanial Hawthorne • Herman Melville • Louisa May Alcott (author of Little Women) • Primarily Poets • Walt Whitman • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

12. Ralph Waldo Emerson • Began as a teacher in a school for girls • Traveled to Europe • Began to lecture • Topics: ethical living and spirituality • Believed in personal spirituality • Anti-institutionalism • Writer, philosopher, and lecturer • Famous for his essays and poems • Created the “Transcendental” Philosophy • “Father” of Transcendentalism

13. Emerson’s Nature • Emerson's first, and most famous, book • It expressed the main principles of the then new movement, transcendentalism • Soon after its publication, a discussion group titled “The Transcendentalist Club” formed in Concord, MA. • This club began to publish an influential magazine, called The Dial • The group, and the magazine, were devoted to a deeper understanding of literature and philosophy

14. Emerson’s Essays & Poetry • Emerson’s next two books were essay compilations • Most focused on his faith in the moral order of the universe, as well as the divine force governing it • Emerson was also known for his poetry • He wrote much like the Fireside Poets of the era • Common motifs: mystical religion, his own frustrations with society, and celebrating nature

15. Emerson’s Influence • Emerson influenced the works of many, including (but not limited to): • Henry David Thoreau • Herman Melville • Walt Whitman • Emily Dickinson • Louisa May Alcott • Henry James • Robert Frost

16. Henry David Thoreau • Friend of Emerson • Known to Question Authority • Made pencils and gave lectures to support himself • Lectured against slavery • Famous for Walden -Lived alone in a cabin and wrote the book about his experience -His focus was the Importance of Nature -“The supreme work of Transcendentalist Literature”

17. Thoreau’s relationship with Emerson • The two met at Harvard: Emerson quickly became Thoreau’s mentor • Emerson was the first to encourage Thoreau to write, and he provided Thoreau with valuable criticism • After Harvard, Emerson hired Thoreau as a gardener and handyman (this afforded Thoreau with the funds and time to focus on his writing) • Emerson taught Thoreau about the transcendentalist philosophy

18. Thoreau’s Walden • Thoreau’s most famous work • One of the most widely read works of nonfiction still today • One of the most commonly quoted works of American Literature • It was inspired by his year spent living alone just off the shore of Walden Pond • He lived there from July 1845 until Sept. 1847 • He insisted that his time living alone was an experiment in simple living and not a withdrawal from society

19. Thoreau & Civil Disobedience • Thoreau was one of the most influential spokesmen for civil disobedience, the deliberate and public refusal to obey a law • In 1846, he spent a night in jail for refusing to pay taxes • He argued that he did not owe allegiance to a government that captured runaway slaves and waged war on Mexico to expand its area of slavery • In his most famous essay, “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience,” he declared that people should refuse to obey any law they believe is unjust

20. Thoreau’s Influence • Thoreau influenced the works and actions of many authors and public rights activists, including (but not limited to): • Leo Tolstoy of Russia • Mohandas Gandhi of India • Martin Luther King, Jr. and most other leaders of the American civil rights movement

21. More transcendentalists/authors

22. Margaret Fuller • Colleague of Emerson • Early advocate of women’s rights and advancement in all areas- from marriage to government • Published “Conversations” with Alcott “We would have every path laid open to woman as to man.” • Co-founder and editor of “The Dial” • Transcendental journal • Woman editor- unheard of at that time • She’s responsible for its success

23. George Ripley • Unitarian minister- resigned amid controversy • Outspoken defender of Transcendentalism • With his wife, cofounder of Brook Farm (1845) Utopian Idea • “…a society of liberal, intelligent, and cultivated persons, whose relations with each other would permit a more simple and wholesome life…” • The farm ultimately failed due to lack of funds “…must inevitably fail because it was operating on too small a scale….”

24. Walt Whitman • Inspired by Emerson • Had little formal education • Emerson was astonished by his unique poetry • Emerson admired his writing and poetry • Struggled financially most of his life • Supported by other writers • Most famous writing: Leaves of Grass • Vowed to live a “purged” and “cleansed” life

25. Elizabeth Peabody • She was a teacher • Started several schools • Emerson was her teacher • Started “Historical School” • Meant to help educate women • Influences Fuller to start her lecture series • Started Temple School with Alcott They "believed that truth came not only from intellectual learning, but also from nurturing the nonrational, intuitive powers as well..."

26. Now. . . • Respond to the two prompts given to you. Use a sheet of paper from the table to answer the prompts if you need to. • Remember, your answers do not have to be long, but they do need to be complete. Use complete sentences.

27. Emerson/Thoreau Assignment Read the article and annotate it. With a partner, label references to the five tenets of transcendentalism and explain why/how you know. Answer the questions provided.