Transcendentalism

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

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

Basic Beliefs Intuition (Instinct) Individualism (non-conformity) 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

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?

4. Human Potential 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

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.

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

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

Key Players of the Transcendental Movement

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 The Most Famous Transcendentalist Authors

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

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

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

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

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”

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 My students are working on taking notes quickly—do not wait for the slowest note-taker to finish. Simply go over the points on the slide, maybe elaborate briefly if you would like, and then move along. At most, this slide should take 4 minutes.

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 Again, do not wait for the slowest note-taker to finish. Simply go over the points on the slide, maybe elaborate briefly if you would like, and then move along. It is especially not necessary for much time to be spent on this slide, since there is a video coming up that reviews this information! At most, this slide should take 4 minutes.

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 Again, do not wait for the slowest note-taker to finish. Simply go over the points on the slide, maybe elaborate briefly if you would like, and then move along. At most, this slide should take 4 minutes.

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 Again, do not wait for the slowest note-taker to finish. Simply go over the points on the slide, maybe elaborate briefly if you would like, and then move along. It is especially not necessary for much time to be spent on this slide, since there is a video coming up that reviews this information! If students run out of time, allow them to take a picture of this slide with their phones, if needed. Also, feel free to let them know that this PowerPoint is on the website (titled “Transcendentalism, Day 4”). At most, this slide should take 4 minutes.

More transcendentalists/authors

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

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….”

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

Elizabeth Peabody She was a teacher Emerson was her 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..."

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.

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.