English III Mr. Stanberry Romanticism /Transcendentalism

Journal Entry: It is Free Write Tuesday!!! I hope that you all have a safe Thanksgiving celebration. Just remember; celebrating America is ok, but forcing your Native American brethren to vacate their land is not… Just find a seat at the kiddie table. On a serious note; the class next to us is testing again.

November 10, 2014 Tell me everything you remember about Transcendentalism…everything. How have your thoughts about nature changed with age? How does your mood affect the way you see the world?

Daily Classwork Journal Entry : Discussion Review : Transcendentalism / Romanticism Read : Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson ( ) Handout: Nature Objectives: Analyze / recognize the author’s purpose Analyze theme Analyze metonymy

November 11, 2014 Have you ever had an idea and kept quiet about it only to have someone else present a similar idea and be praised about it? How did you feel in regards to the situation? If you had the opportunity, would you have instead presented the idea to receive the praise? Why or why not?

Daily Classwork Journal Entry / Discussion Read: Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson ( ) Video: Park bench scene from Good Will Hunting Answer : 1-4 (185) Handout: Written response / reflection Objectives: Relate text to current life. Discuss optimism and individualism. Discuss the power of knowledge and understanding.

Romanticism Romanticism saw a shift from faith in reason to faith in the senses, feelings, and imagination; a shift from interest in urban society to an interest in the rural and natural; a shift from public, impersonal poetry to subjective poetry; and from concern with the scientific and mundane to interest in the mysterious and infinite. Mainly they cared about the individual, intuition, and imagination.

November 12, 2014 How much of who you are depends on where you’re from? Explain. How does Ralph Waldo Emerson’s writing reflect the thoughts/ideas of the Transcendentalists in regards to individualism and optimism?

Daily Classwork Journal Entry / Discussion Read : Where I’m From by George Ella Lyon Handout : Poetry Writing / Where I’m From By using the provided template, students will be able to reflect on the past and how it relates to their current personality. Overarching Question : Are we affected by our past, or is the past simply the past? Objectives: Making personal questions to poetry. Composing a personal reflection in the form of poetry.

November 13, 2014 What might it mean to feel “connected” to nature and to all of humankind? If you were to write a poem that celebrates life itself, what images would you choose?

Compare / Contrast Response Gothic Literature and Transcendentalism are both categorized as works of literature in the era of Romanticism, but they have obvious differences in the mode of delivery. In a well-developed paragraph (6-8 sentences), discuss the differences paying close attention to themes. Make sure to include information in regards to the concept of afterlife.

Daily Classwork Journal Entry / Discussion Read : Song of Myself by Walt Whitman ( ) Handout : Poetic Style Objectives: Compare and contrast the differences in delivery of themes in regards to Gothic Literature and Transcendentalists. Overarching Question: “What happens to us when we pass away?”

"Transcendentalism is an American literary, political, and philosophical movement of the the early nineteenth century, centered around Ralph Waldo Emerson." "They (transcendentalists) were critics of their contemporary society for its unthinking conformity, and urged that each person find, in Emerson's words, “an original relation to the universe." -Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy What is Transcendentalism?

What is Calvinism? John Calvin - God has rule over all things through scripture, God, humanity, salvation, and the church. Calvinistic Beliefs Trinity - Calvinists affirm and confess the traditional studies of the Trinity. - The Father, the son and the Holy Spirit. A break away from Calvinism Why Calvinism? John Calvin created Calvinism based on religious interpretation. He emphasized areas of "reformation."

Henry David Thoreau Margaret Fuller Amos Bronson Alcott Walt Whitman Other notable transcendentalists

Everything is a reflection of God. - People are basically "good." - People will still sin, but they will repent and do "good" the majority of the time. - People are designed to be close to God. - Nature, by design, is also close to God. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: God

Contemplating nature can allow you to transcend the real world and go to a higher, spiritual level. - People can get closer to God without church. - Nature is as close as you can get to God. - Society (the opposition of Nature) keeps people from achieving this higher spiritual level. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: Nature

A person's instinct (intuition) can lead them to understand the depth of God's spirit. - There is no social boundary. The ability to understand God is not limited based on social status. - Based on the notion that people are basically "good," instinct or intuition can help people know God. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: People

Individualism and self-reliance are better than following others or conforming to tradition. - People will make the right choices when given the chance. - The use of Government is not needed. - People should be urged to question authority and challenge society. - Materialism is not good. People should not be dependent of money or things. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: Tradition / Society

A person's true feelings and instincts are more valuable than book knowledge. - The "average" person can make this connection with God. - Social status and education becomes irrelevant. - People will be trusted to do and feel good things. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: Knowledge / Understanding

5 core beliefs Everything is a reflection of God. Contemplating nature can allow you to transcend the real world and go to a higher, spiritual level. A person's instinct (intuition) can lead them to understand the depth of God's spirit. Individualism and self-reliance are better than following others or conforming to tradition. A person's true feelings and instincts are more valuable than book knowledge.