Transcendentalists American Literature

Remember… Romantics & Transcendentalists = Romantics & Transcendentalists = Emos Emos –Romantics were darker and more emotional and Hippies and Hippies –Transcendentalists focused on positive actions and creating change

Beginnings – Romantics & Transcendentalists Both grew out of a reaction to the strict, Puritanical code at the foundation of American literature and society. Both grew out of a reaction to the strict, Puritanical code at the foundation of American literature and society. By the mid 1830’s, the Puritan rules and themes were considered outdated and repressive. By the mid 1830’s, the Puritan rules and themes were considered outdated and repressive.

Beginnings Cont. Transcendental movement began a few years after the Romantic Transcendental movement began a few years after the Romantic Both groups chose to write anti-Puritan themes Both groups chose to write anti-Puritan themes Both chose to ignore topics like strict religion, morals and the issue of guilt Both chose to ignore topics like strict religion, morals and the issue of guilt Each group chose very different ways of doing this. Each group chose very different ways of doing this.

Hippies The Transcendentalists’ main topic was “self reliance”. The Transcendentalists’ main topic was “self reliance”. While the Romantics wrote mainly to entertain While the Romantics wrote mainly to entertain –love poems or horror stories the Transcendentalists wrote to effect change the Transcendentalists wrote to effect change –motivational packets and political pieces.

Transcendentalism

Self reliance/intuition Understanding comes from within individual, rather than being learned. Understanding comes from within individual, rather than being learned. Individual capable of making own decisions without the help/guidance of society. Individual capable of making own decisions without the help/guidance of society. Emerson’s famous “Self Reliance” emphasized the importance of trusting your instinct. Emerson’s famous “Self Reliance” emphasized the importance of trusting your instinct.

Importance of Nature Two aspects: Two aspects: –the earth –human nature In both aspects, nature was considered the ultimate guide and sustainer. (cont. next slide) In both aspects, nature was considered the ultimate guide and sustainer. (cont. next slide)

Importance of Nature (cont.) Transcendentalists found the divine in nature. Transcendentalists found the divine in nature. Unlike Puritans, didn’t need church Unlike Puritans, didn’t need church viewed the earth/nature as a spiritual place. viewed the earth/nature as a spiritual place. Thoreau’s famous Walden idealizes nature and water. Thoreau’s famous Walden idealizes nature and water.

Free thought & expression society should not silence the individual society should not silence the individual each person should be free to express him/herself without fear. each person should be free to express him/herself without fear. Transcendentalists did not all agree with each other, and thought these conflicting opinions made them stronger. Transcendentalists did not all agree with each other, and thought these conflicting opinions made them stronger.

The individual is important/non- conformity individual conscience more important as guide than the law, government and community. individual conscience more important as guide than the law, government and community. Thoreau refused to pay poll tax to protest slavery; Emily Dickinson wore only white Thoreau refused to pay poll tax to protest slavery; Emily Dickinson wore only white

Confidence individual should rely on his/her own knowledge individual should rely on his/her own knowledge rather than living by society’s norms and just “going with the flow”. rather than living by society’s norms and just “going with the flow”. Americans could form their own identity and didn’t need to imitate Europeans Americans could form their own identity and didn’t need to imitate Europeans