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 By the mid 1830’s, the Puritan rules and themes were considered outdated and repressive. By the mid 1830’s, the Puritan rules and themes were considered outdated and repressive.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 Use of intuition –true understanding comes from within the individual, rather than being learned. Use of intuition –true understanding comes from within the individual, rather than being learned. Self-Reliance –individual person is capable of making his/her own decisions without the help/guidance of society. Self-Reliance –individual person is capable of making his/her 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.

Transcendentalism Importance of Nature – two aspects: Importance of Nature – 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)

Transcendentalism Importance of nature (cont.) – Transcendentalists found the divine in nature. Importance of nature (cont.) – 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.

Transcendentalism Free thought & expression – society should not silence the individual Free thought & expression – 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 enjoyed the fact that they, as a group, did not all agree with each other, and that these conflicting opinions made them stronger. Transcendentalists enjoyed the fact that they, as a group, did not all agree with each other, and that these conflicting opinions made them stronger.

Transcendentalism The individual is important – they promoted non- conformity The individual is important – they promoted non- conformity The individual conscience is more important as a guide for behavior than the law, government and community. The individual conscience is more important as a guide for behavior than the law, government and community. Thoreau refused to pay poll tax to protest slavery Thoreau refused to pay poll tax to protest slavery

Transcendentalism Confidence – the individual should rely on his/her own knowledge rather than living by society’s norms and just “going with the flow”. Confidence – the individual should rely on his/her own knowledge 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