1. Transcendentalism transcend: be or go beyond the range or limits of

2. Transcendentalism innate ability to transcend (intuition) encouraged to experience intuitive insights clear mind and return to nature God = universal being everyone was good/had potential for greatness equal in the eyes of God

3. Romantic AgeTranscendentalism emphasis on individual inspiration from nature religion= personal matter people capable of evil and good high feelings/ emotions grasp a hold of own ideas and promote yourself God present everywhere people-inner goodness intuition find inner light, connect to God

4. Henry David Thoreau Walden (Life in the Woods) apply tenets of period to everyday life importance of nature Not a recluse, contrary to popular belief Civil Disobedience citizen vs. subject influenced Gandhi, MLK Jr.

5. Ralph Waldo Emerson redirected American consciousness toward equality of opportunity difference between Materialism and Idealism optimism of human potential “Nature”, “Self-Reliance” wife died early, tragedy transformed him