Transcendentalism

1. Transcendentalism

2. What does “transcendentalism” mean? There is an ideal spiritual state which “transcends” the physical and intellectual. A loose collection of eclectic ideas about literature, philosophy, religion, social reform, and the general state of American culture. Transcendentalism had different meanings for each person involved in the movement. 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.

3. Where did it come from? Ralph Waldo Emerson gave German philosopher Immanuel Kant credit for popularizing the term “transcendentalism.” It began as a reform movement in the Unitarian church. It is not a religion—more accurately, it is a philosophy or form of spirituality. It centered around Boston and Concord, MA. in the mid-1800’s. Emerson first expressed his philosophy of transcendentalism in his essay Nature.

4. What did Transcendentalists believe? The intuition, instead of logic or the five senses, became the means for a conscious union of the individual psyche with the world psyche also known as the Oversoul or life-force.

5. Unlike Puritans, they saw humans and nature as possessing an innate goodness. “In the faces of men and women, I see God” -Walt Whitman Opposed strict ritualism and dogma of established religion.

6. Transcendentalism: The BELIEFS 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 Valued individuality/non-conformity/free thought Advocated self-reliance/ simplicity

7. Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 “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

8. Born in Boston • Son of a Unitarian minister in a famous line of ministers • Emerson's father died less than two weeks before his 8th birthday • At fourteen, Emerson went to Harvard College where he waited tables at Commons, a dining hall at Harvard and supplemented his income by teaching during the winter vacation

9. After graduation, Emerson made his living as a schoolmaster • Went back to Harvard Divinity School, became Unitarian minister in 1829 • A dispute with church officials led to his resignation in 1832 • Formulated and first expressed the philosophy of Transcendentalism in his 1836 essay Nature • His first wife, Ellen Louisa Tucker, died of tuberculosis at 19

10. In 1835, Emerson bought a house in Concord • Married his second wife Lydia Jackson • Children were Waldo, Ellen, Edith, and Edward Waldo Emerson • Ellen was named for his first wife, at the suggestion of Lydia

11. In 1838 he was invited back to Harvard for the graduation address • His remarks outraged and shocked the whole Protestant community at the time because he proclaimed that Jesus was a great man, but not God • He was denounced as an atheist • By the mid-1880s his position had become standard Unitarian doctrine • Emerson made a living as a popular lecturer in the country outside of the South because of his anti-slavery position

12. Emerson associated with Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau • The land on which Thoreau built his cabin on Walden Pond belonged to Emerson and he provided food and hired Thoreau to perform odd jobs • Their close relationship fractured after Emerson gave Thoreau the poor advice to publish his first book • Eventually the two would reconcile some of their differences, although Thoreau privately accused Emerson of having drifted from his original philosophy • Emerson began to view Thoreau as a misanthrope and Emerson's eulogy to Thoreau is largely credited with the latter's negative reputation during the 19th century. .

13. Emerson is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery inConcord Quotes: A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer. The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons. I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.

14. Best known for Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay, Civil Disobedience, an argument for individual resistance to the government in moral opposition to an unjust state. Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862

15. Born in Concord, MA to John Thoreau and Cynthia Dunbar in1817 • Father, John, was a pencil maker • His maternal grandfather, Asa Dunbar, was known for leading Harvard's 1766 student “Bread and Butter Rebellion”, the first recorded student protest in the United States • Classically educated at Harvard

16. Operated a school with his brother, John, until John’s death from tetanusThoreau returned home to Concord, where he became friends with Emerson who took a paternal and at times patronizing interest in ThoreauOf the many prominent authors who lived in Concord, Thoreau was the only town native.

17. From 1841-1844, Thoreau joined the Emerson household to serve as the children’s tutor, editorial assistant, and repair man/gardener. • For a few months in 1843, he moved to New York, tutoring a family with sons while writing • Thoreau returned to Concord and worked in his family's pencil factory, which he would continue to do for most of his adult life

18. Thoreau embarked on a two-year experiment in simple living on July 4, 1845 at Walden pond. • The house was not in wilderness but at the edge of town, 1.5 miles from his family home • Thoreau refused to pay taxes because of his opposition to the Mexican-American Warand slavery, and he spent a night in jail because of this refusal

19. Left Walden Pond on September 6, 1847 • He spent 2 years, 2 months, 2 days at Walden pond writing. • Over several years, he worked to pay off his debts while he revised his manuscript • In 1854, he published Walden, or Life in the Woods, about the time he had spent at Walden Pond. The book compresses that time into a single calendar year, using the passage of four seasons to symbolize human development. • Walden at first won few admirers, but today it is regarded as a classic that explores natural simplicity, harmony, and beauty as models for just social and cultural conditions.

20. He died on May 6, 1862 at the age of 44. • Originally buried in the Dunbar family plot, he and members of his immediate family were eventually moved to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord Quotes: Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something. If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. But do not care to convince him. Men will believe what they see. Let them see. Thank God men cannot as yet fly and lay waste the sky as well as the earth!