English III – March 21, 2018 Do Now: Set up for notes Title: Transcendentalism EQ: What are the key characteristics of Transcendentalism? Agenda: Notes on Transcendentalism Transcendental survey

November 10th Transcendentalism Prepare to take notes.

Emerson: Born in Boston, MA. Came from a long line (seven generations) of clergymen, and father was a minister. Very poor, but family put emphasis on education. He entered Harvard at the age of 14. Was a minister for a short time, but left seeking inner direction that he felt was lacking. He drew his ideas from many religions and philosophers from all over the world. Overturned the commonly held idea that God / Higher Power was control of everything and everyone (the operator of a machine), and replaced it with the idea that God / Higher Power is in each one of us, and which permeates all life forms. This he called the “over-soul.” The over-soul is the “is one soul which animates all men.” Hence: Transcendentalism – A philosophy based on a search for reality through spiritual intuition.

Thoreau: Thoreau was a friend and student of Emerson’s and worked as a carpenter at his home for a time. He also attended Harvard. When he could not make a living as a writer, he devoted his life to self-education. He took Emerson’s philosophy and put it into action. His emphasis is on nature as a reflection of an inner spiritual reality. His most famous work is Walden is based on his experiment at Walden Pond, the subject of which is the relationship between nature to the human mind and spirit.

Not only a literary movement, but a system of belief. Transcendentalism Not only a literary movement, but a system of belief. Because part of the core belief system of Transcendentalists is the desire and necessity to be an individual, it is difficult to define what Transcendentalism exactly is. However, all Transcendentalists believe in the following core ideas…

The Oversoul An individual is the spiritual center of the universe In an individual can be found the clue to nature, history and, ultimately, the cosmos itself. It is not a rejection of the existence of God, but a preference to explain an individual, and the world, as part of a whole.

The piece of fabric…

All Knowledge begins with Self Knowledge Desire to be one with the world around you Desire to remain separate

Nature is Symbolic Example: The frozen pond:

Intuition over Intellect Intellect is good, but should not trump our intuition or instinct. “Trust thyself”

Time for the survey Grab a laptop Go to my website Look for the bright green box Click on “Transcendental survey 2017” Answer all questions on your own paper – be sure to explain your answers. Due end of class!