Transcendentalism Transcend: to go beyond the limits of; exceed; be above and independent of the physical universe

Origin of Transcendentalism Offshoot of Romanticism Started around 1840 well-educated people, mostly New Englanders time for literary independence –deliberately different from anything in Europe – something uniquely American

Origin of Transcendentalism strongly influenced by Deism Deists believe that God created the universe but remains apart from it and permits his creation to administer itself through natural laws. stresses the importance of ethical conduct

What does Transcendentalism mean? “to transcend" - move from the rational to a spiritual realm Intuition and conscience "transcend" experience and reason.

Transcendental Beliefs  Intuition, not reason, is the highest human faculty  rejection of materialism  Simplicity is the path to spiritual greatness  Nature is a source of truth & inspiration  Non-conformity, individuality & self-reliance  God is everywhere – in Nature and Man  All objects are miniature versions of the universe

Transcendentalism also involved a rejection of strict Puritan religious attitudes Unlike the Puritans who humans as inherently evil, Transcendentalists saw humans and nature as possessing an innate goodness. Transcendental Beliefs

Ralph Waldo Emerson went on to Harvard divinity schoolwent on to Harvard divinity school Became a Unitarian ministerBecame a Unitarian minister 1829 married Ellen Tucker, who died a few years later of tuberculosis1829 married Ellen Tucker, who died a few years later of tuberculosis Her death caused religious doubt, which resulted in his resignation from the clergyHer death caused religious doubt, which resulted in his resignation from the clergy

Ralph Waldo Emerson In 1840s founded and co-edited the literary magazine The Dial, with Margaret FullerIn 1840s founded and co-edited the literary magazine The Dial, with Margaret Fuller It was the official publication of Transcendentalists until 1844It was the official publication of Transcendentalists until 1844 published two volumes of essays in 1841 and 1844 including “Self- Reliance,” which is among his best-known workspublished two volumes of essays in 1841 and 1844 including “Self- Reliance,” which is among his best-known works

“Self-Reliance” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide…”

“For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure.”

“To be great is to be misunderstood.”

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”

Henry David Thoreau born and raised in Concord, Massachusetts,born and raised in Concord, Massachusetts, Had 3 siblings John, Helen, and SophiaHad 3 siblings John, Helen, and Sophia His father owned a pencil factoryHis father owned a pencil factory He and John set up a school in 1838 but it collapsed a few years later after John became illHe and John set up a school in 1838 but it collapsed a few years later after John became ill

Henry David Thoreau Over the years his famous work Walden has inspired many naturalists, environmentalists, and writersOver the years his famous work Walden has inspired many naturalists, environmentalists, and writers His attitudes and studies of nature were radical for the time period, but today many consider him the “father of environmentalism”His attitudes and studies of nature were radical for the time period, but today many consider him the “father of environmentalism”

Henry David Thoreau Walden, or Life in the Woods

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

“Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand.”

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

“Men have become the tools of their tools.”

“Civil Disobedience” Henry David Thoreau

“Civil Disobedience” essay urging passive, nonviolent resistance to governmental policies to which an individual is morally opposed

“Civil Disobedience” Written after Thoreau spent a night in jail for refusing to pay a poll tax. the $1.50 tax revenues went to the government which was waging an unjust war against Mexico and allowing slavery to continue

“Civil Disobedience” Influenced individuals such as Ghandi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Walt whitman Grew up in Brooklyn -other Transcendentalist were from MassachusettsGrew up in Brooklyn -other Transcendentalist were from Massachusetts Left school at age 11 to help with the household incomeLeft school at age 11 to help with the household income Worked for as an office boy before finding employment in the printing businessWorked for as an office boy before finding employment in the printing business When he was 17, he decided to try teaching and taught for 5 years in various parts of Long IslandWhen he was 17, he decided to try teaching and taught for 5 years in various parts of Long Island

Walt whitman As an editor, Whitman had opinions that did not always align with his bosses or his readers.As an editor, Whitman had opinions that did not always align with his bosses or his readers. He supported what some considered radical positions on women's property rights, immigration, and labor issues.He supported what some considered radical positions on women's property rights, immigration, and labor issues. Not surprisingly, he never kept jobs for longNot surprisingly, he never kept jobs for long In 1848 he left New York for New Orleans, where he became editor of The Crescent.In 1848 he left New York for New Orleans, where he became editor of The Crescent. He stayed just three months, but it was there that he saw for the first time the wickedness of slavery.He stayed just three months, but it was there that he saw for the first time the wickedness of slavery.

Walt whitman Leaves of Grass

Tradition was discarded in favor of a voice that came at the reader directly, in the first person.Tradition was discarded in favor of a voice that came at the reader directly, in the first person. Readers were shocked by the controversial content & revolutionary form –Readers were shocked by the controversial content & revolutionary form – Some poems celebrated sensual pleasure and sexual desireSome poems celebrated sensual pleasure and sexual desire many thought it was trash and threw it away after reading itmany thought it was trash and threw it away after reading it Leaves of Grass

Fascinated by this newcomer to the poetry scene, Henry David Thoreau ventured to Brooklyn to meet Whitman.Fascinated by this newcomer to the poetry scene, Henry David Thoreau ventured to Brooklyn to meet Whitman. Emerson appreciated Whitman’s talent, but he did encourage him to remove the more explicit pieces- Whitman refused.Emerson appreciated Whitman’s talent, but he did encourage him to remove the more explicit pieces- Whitman refused.

“I exist as I am, that is enough.”

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself.”

“Produce great men, the rest follows.”

“Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.”