1. Transcendentalism and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”

2. Ralph Waldo Emerson He was born in Boston, the son of a minister whose ancestors were clergymen back to the time of Puritans. Emerson entered Harvard at the age of fourteen. – After leaving Harvard, he entered the ministry. His Puritan ancestors believed that only a few were chosen by God, but Emerson believed that God’s spirit was in all people.

3. He entered the ministry to use his best talent, writing, not to preach sermons. He later resigned from the pulpit. A big deal since he was the son of SEVEN generations of ministers. He traveled Europe but returned to Concord, Massachusetts, married and took up a career writing.

4. Speech to Harvard’s Graduating Class at the Divinity School This speech ended his career as a preacher After he spoke, most churches closed their pulpits to them. What got him in trouble? – He put Jesus and Man on the same level saying that Jesus’ claim to be God’s son was true for every person

5. “Self-Reliance” A reaction to his address at the Divinity School Emerson’s most optimistic and inspirational call for individualism. The theme of the whole piece is independence. – Emerson hated conformity

6. Transcendentalism—5 Basic Beliefs 1. Everything/Everyone is a reflection of God – People are basically good – People will still sin, but they will repent and most of the time choose to the right thing – People are close to God – Nature is wonderful because it is a uncompromised reflection of God’s work

7. 2. Contemplating nature can allow you to transcend the real world and go to a higher, more spiritual level – People can get closer to God without church – Nature is as close as you can get to God – Society (the opposite of nature) keeps people from getting to a higher spiritual level

8. 3. A person’s INSTINCT (intuition) can lead them to understand God’s spirit – Everyone can do this! Wealth, status, prior knowledge not needed. – Stressed that people were basically good – their gut instincts could lead them to God

9. 4. Individualism and self-reliance are better than following others or depending on tradition. – People will make the right choices if given the chance – Believed that government was not necessary – Urged people to question tradition – Materialism was not good; people should not be dependent on money or belongings

10. 5. A person’s true feelings and intuition are more valuable than book knowledge. – Average people were able to do this – Money, wealth, status not necessary – Trusted people to do and feel good things

11. 1. Everything is a reflection of God – People are basically good – People will still sin, but they will repent and will most of the time choose to do the right thing – People are close to God – Nature is great! 2. 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 opposite of nature) keeps people from getting to a higher spiritual level 3. A person’s INSTINCT (intuition) can lead them to understand God’s spirit – Everyone can do this! Wealth, status, prior knowledge not needed. – Stressed that people were basically good – their gut instincts could lead them to God 4. Individualism and self-reliance are better than following others or depending on tradition. – People will make the right choices if given the chance – Believed that government was not necessary – Urged people to question tradition – Materialism was not good; people should not be dependent on money or belongings 5. A person’s true feelings and intuition are more valuable than book knowledge. – Average people were able to do this – Money, wealth, status not necessary – Trusted people to do and feel good things