Transcendentalism Walden Pond, important Transcendental site Re-creation of Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Henry David Thoreau Ralph Waldo Emerson Margaret Fuller
Definition It’s a philosophy, not a religion (Reuben). Individuals must rely on intuition more than reason and experience – “transcend” the physical and intellectual world (Applebee). A loose collection of eclectic ideas about literature, philosophy, religion, social reform, and the general state of American culture (Silva). Emerged in mid-1800s in New England (mostly Boston and Concord) Emerson’s home
Origins German philosopher Immanuel Kant popularized the term “transcendentalism” (SparkNotes). Kant claimed that humans understood truth through reflection and introspection, not by studying the universe. Emerson first expressed his philosophy of transcendentalism in his essay “Nature.” en.wikipedia.org ycwu001.blogspot.com Immanel Kant Rodin’s The Thinker
The Oversoul In Emerson’s essay “The Oversoul,” he asserted that individuals should rely on intuition instead of logic or the five senses. When humans relied on intuition, they connected with the Oversoul, the great life spirit which connects all people. multiculturalismincanada.wordpress.com The Oversoul unifies and connects us
Principle #1 An individual is the spiritual center of the universe. In other words, the individual is of utmost importance, and truth, beauty, and God are understood by first looking within oneself (Reuben). film-at-11.blogspot.com inspireshineheal.com inspirationboost.com Focus on the individual All answers lie within
Principle #2 All knowledge begins with self-knowledge. This is similar to Aristotle's dictum "know thyself” (Reuben). aurorasana.wordpress.com izquotes.com
Principle #3 Transcendentalists believed nature to be mysterious and symbolic (Reuben). waywardamericans.wordpress.com
Ralph Waldo Emerson Emerson (1803 – 1882) was born in Boston, MA, the son of a Christian minister. He attended Harvard College (now University) and later became a Unitarian minister in After his wife died in 1831 (2 years after becoming a minister), Emerson resigned from the clergy. Emerson wrote many notable essays including “Self Reliance,” which encouraged a spirit of individualism and “American Scholar,” which inspired Americans to develop a unique identity apart from Europe. thegrowingspace.com
Henry David Thoreau Thoreau (1817 – 1862) was a devoted follower of Emerson, and the two were close friends. Thoreau famously wrote Walden, a book about his two year stay at Walden Pond outside Concord, MA. During that time, he built a hut and tried to live simply. Most of the Transcendentalists were abolitionists, and Thoreau was especially outspoken. He also wrote an essay entitled “Slavery in Massachusetts.” commons.wikimedia.org Interior of Thoreau’s hut
Margaret Fuller Margaret Fuller (1810 – 1849) had a reputation for being one of the most well-read people in all New England. In fact, it was believed that she was the only woman who had access to the library at Harvard College. A talented writer, she edited The Dial, a Transcendental magazine. She also wrote the great Women in the Nineteenth Century. Finally, she often spoke at Brook Farm, a Transcendental commune. izquotes.com americanliteraryblog.blogspot.com Fuller notoriously had an affair with an Italian nobleman, bore a son, and then died one year later
Essential Questions How do people express their personalities? How do different philosophies influence our society? How does Transcendentalism influence us today? quotepixel.com
Works Cited "Immanuel Kant." SparkNotes. SparkNotes LLC, Web. 2 Sept "Ralph Waldo Emerson Biography." Biography.com. A+E Television Networks, Web. 2 Sept < waldo-emerson >. Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 4: American Transcendentalism: A Brief Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature. Paul P Reuben, 24 Oct Web. 27 Aug Silva, Freda. "Transcendentalism2." English 11. GroveSite, 28 Oct Web. 27 Aug