The Transcendentalists “Good men must not obey the laws too well.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Transcendentalism: A Branch of the Romanticism Movement Falls under the umbrella of the American Romantic movement (1800-1860). The majority of the Transcendentalists works were written in the 1830s and 1840s. It began as a protest against the general state of the society and of the religious doctrines being taught at Harvard College. The focus is that the ideas of an individual are more important than following a religious doctrine. Emphasizes an appreciation and a deep connection to nature.

The Origins of the Movement Transcendentalism took off as a literary and cultural movement after Ralph Waldo Emerson published the essay “Nature” in 1836, which stressed the importance of the divine soul. “In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life, -- no disgrace, no calamity, (leaving me my eyes,) which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground, -- my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space, -- all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God.” Those who supported this view formed a group called the Transcendental Club. Members were all living in the New England area and included Margaret Fuller, Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Frederick Hedge. All were published authors during their time. Some are even considered to be “rebels” of the time period. Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau

What made these writers so different? For the first time, writers encouraged people to begin a human revolution and to examine the world in a different way. Emerson ended his essay “The American Scholar” with this quotation: “So shall we come to look at the world with new eyes. It shall answer the endless inquiry of the intellect, — What is truth? and of the affections, — What is good? by yielding itself passive to the educated Will. ... Build, therefore, your own world. As fast as you conform your life to the pure idea in your mind, that will unfold its great proportions. A correspondent revolution in things will attend the influx of the spirit.” For many, the urge to look at the world in a fresh way and to build their own world based on their ideas of perfection was appealing. The country was also at a crossroads and willing to embrace some changes.

Intellectual and Social Life in New England New England had long been known for its interest in self- improvement and intellectual inquiry. New England was a center of many reform movements. Social causes grew during this time including ideas such as utopian projects.

Utopian Societies What is a utopian society? A perfect, harmonious society Ralph Waldo Emerson, a famous writer from this time was a member of one of the most influential utopian groups. Brook Farm was the name of his utopian society. Brook Farm = He helped inspire numerous reform movements that aimed to improve public education, end slavery, elevate the status of women, and smooth the edges of rough social conditions of the time.

Ideas of the Transcendentalists Many saw organized religion as an obstacle that blocked one’s way to God. They felt that by closely examining one’s soul, connecting to nature and observing human nature, that a Divine connection could be established. **Do we still hold these views today? Transcendentalists believed that one could be closer to God by relying on their own intuition and that with practice, one could achieve personal harmony and therefore reach God.

Ideas of the Transcendentalists Transcendentalists were optimistic. They believed that all one needed to discover any answer was to learn to read and to be open to nature. One also had to be aware of the past, but willing to look beyond it. One needed to be unwilling to conform to the wishes of society and instead be true to one’s true identity. An emphasis on taking care of one’s own necessities was also evident.

Five Key Aspects of Transcendentalism Self-Reliance Non-Conformity Free Thought Confidence Importance of Nature