Transcendentalism 19 th Century Hippies
What is Transcendentalism? Hard to define: Even the leaders of the movement disagreed about its principles. Cross between Enlightenment and Romanticism: Write poetry and essays
Key Ideas Individuality: Be true to yourself. Only rely on yourself. Non-Conformity: Do not bend to the wishes of society. Do what you think is right. Intuition: Listen to your inner voice. You were born knowing what is right for you.
More Key Ideas… Nature: Have a very strong relationship with it. Transcendentalists see spirituality in everything. God is everywhere. In people and in nature. Needs of people do not outweigh the needs of nature.
The Writers Ralph Waldo Emerson Father of Transcendentalism Wrote “Self Reliance” Henry David Thoreau “Civil Disobedience” and Walden.