A movement in American Literature Early to Mid 1800s Transcendentalism A movement in American Literature Early to Mid 1800s

What is Transcendentalism? A popular American philosophy rooted in New England. It was based partly on ancient ideas (i.e., Plato), but was mostly considered a radical movement, threatening to established institutions. It was already decades since the Americans had won independence from England. Now, it was time for literary independence. They attempted to create a uniquely American body of literature. A generation of well-educated people struggling to define spirituality and religion

4 Main Themes Nature By being in nature, we can connect to it; thusly connecting to God, and be able to understand everything. Transcendentalists believed we can learn from nature and approach an understanding of universal order through it. Each individual is capable of using the natural world to achieve spiritual understanding. “Oversoul”- everything is connected.

4 Main Themes Carpe Diem Latin for “Seize the day.” Live life to the fullest; make each day count. Live in the present.

Nonconformity 4 Main Themes Be your own person. Don’t follow the crowd; be an individual; dare to be different. Transcen-dentalists believed that true nonconformists are often misunderstood and realized that is a difficult, yet necessary, way to live.

Simplify your life 4 Main Themes Transcendentalists believed that unessential material possessions distract us from living life to the fullest and learning the true meaning of life. Get rid of your material things and go live in the woods! “Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts.” --Henry David Thoreau

Neoclassical/Rationalist Art Transcendentalism Art Romanticism/ Transcendentalism Art

Emerson’s mentee, neighbor, and friend Henry David Thoreau Emerson’s mentee, neighbor, and friend

Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 extremely independent and stubborn devoted to the art of living fully in nature Emerson was his friend and mentor Went to Harvard

Walden pond For two years he lived on 27 cents a week (=$12/week now) in a shack he built by himself on the shores of Walden Pond

Henry David Thoreau While he was there, he wrote Walden- known as the “supreme work of Transcendentalist literature.”

Thoreau & The Mexican War Thoreau did not agree with the Mexican War b/c it was in favor of slavery So he didn’t pay his taxes b/c he knew the taxes would go to support the war So he went to jail gladly

Thoreau & The Mexican War His time in jail inspired him to write his essay “Civil Disobedience” This essay inspires the audience to protest against, and even break the laws that they feel are unjust Of course, you also must be willing to accept the consequences Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mohandas K Gandhi were both inspired by Thoreau’s ideas of civil disobedience

9 Transcendentalist Principles Thoreau’s 9 Transcendentalist Principles Rules to live by

Oversoul #1: god as nature God Man Nature Look inside yourself for divine guidance in learning to understand the nature of God. God Oversoul Man Nature

#2: CONTEMPLATION OF DIVINE NATURE & NATURE Live life close to nature, for there a person can most successfully contemplate his reason for being

#3: SEARCH FOR MEANING Devote yourself to the search for the meaning of life and not to the acquisition of material things

#4: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WORK A person should be both physically and intellectually active throughout life

#5: KNOW THYSELF Have the courage to follow the dictates of your own conscience, and be prepared to face the consequences Example: Thoreau was a teacher, and when his headmaster tried to make him punish a kid with a whipping, Thoreau said “no” and quit.

#6: TIME AND PERSONAL GROWTH Give time priority to personal growth rather than working for money Find a job you love to do, not just to make $

#7: LEAST GOVERNMENT BEST Have the courage to practice some sort of non-violent law-breaking if you believe the law to be in violation of your principles. Be willing to take the consequences that the government might invoke.

#8: DETERMINE TRUTH FOR YOURSELF Live today for today, since yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come now is the only true reality accept only those traditions which appear to be true to you and reject the rest

#9: BE YOURSELF Be yourself by exercising the self-discipline necessary to live by the first eight principles #9