1. “Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.” --Emerson
Transcendentalism
“Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
--Emerson

2. Transcendentalism
Refers to the idea that in determining the ultimate reality of God, universe, or self, one must TRANSCEND (go beyond) everyday human experience
How do we achieve transcendence?
When we look to nature for the answers

3. Transcendentalism Beliefs (tenets) of Transcendentalism
Everything in the world is a reflection of the Divine Soul/Oversoul (GOD)
Nature is the doorway to the spiritual world
Intuition can reveal God’s spirit in nature or in self
Self reliance and Individualism must be more important than conforming
Conformity: to go along with the accepted and established “rules” society, specifically social rules, attitudes, and practices
Spontaneous feelings and intuition are superior to intellect and rationalism

4. Transcendentalism
American Transcendentalists based their beliefs off of several other philosophies
18th century German philosophy Immanuel Kant—first coined the term “Transcendental”
Philosophical work of Plato, who believed in human perfectability
Buddhist philosophy
American Puritan Tradition
Romantic ideals

5. Transcendentalism Key characteristics Intuition Optimism
God is good and God works through nature
Live a life of purpose for others

6. Transcendentalism Key Characteristics Nationalism Plain Living
Non Conformity and Individualism
Ideas and Dreams are important, more important than reason and logic

7. Ralph Waldo Emerson Background
Born in Boston to a cultured but poor family
Educated at Harvard
Family expected Ralph to become a minister like seven generations of Emersons before him
Worked as a minister, a public education reformer, and an abolitionist
Found success as a lecturer—a new pulpit
Created a grass roots movement among young, college educated Americans who were searching for a “higher truth”
Became the leader and guru of the “Transcendental Club” which was a utopian group bent on changing the world
Utopian Society: an ideal society, especially in its social, political, and moral aspects

8. Ralph Waldo Emerson “Nature” Literary Devices Metaphor
Paradox: the linking of seemingly contradictory elements in order to reveal some kind of truth
Ex: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”—R&J
“Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece.”
“I am glad to the brink of fear.”
Metaphor
Nature is described as a “plantation[s] of God.”
Plantation is a large, carefully planted farm Nature or the Earth is God’s farm, carefully planted with trees, etc. for each location

9. Ralph Waldo Emerson Literary Devices
Personification: giving human characteristics, thoughts or feelings to an object or animal
In what ways does Emerson personify Nature?
Woods and fields “minister” to people
Plants nod and wave to him
Why is it important for Emerson to personify nature?
All living things are part of the Oversoul
A personal level of interaction with Nature promotes a higher level of thought—how am I connected to the world around me?

10. Ralph Waldo Emerson “Nature” Literary Devices
Theme: Nature’s beauty and tranquility allow people to be more in tune with the Oversoul
Literary Devices
Imagery: the use of language to evoke a picture or concrete sensation of a person, place, thing or experience
What are some memorable images from “Nature”?

11. Ralph Waldo Emerson “Self Reliance”
Discussion Questions
“We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents.”
Do you agree?
Why or when might we be ashamed to truly be ourselves?
“Accept the place the divine Providence has found for you.”
What is the implication of this quotation? What must we do to achieve greatness?
“Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood—is it so bad then to be misunderstood?...to be great is to be misunderstood…”
Do you agree? Why did Emerson choose the 7 individuals listed in the essay? Who might be considered great but misunderstood in our time?

12. Ralph Waldo Emerson “Self Reliance”
Literary Devices
Figure of speech: a word or phrase that describes one thing in terms of another and is not meant to be taken literally
figures of speech refers to numerous literary devices including simile, metaphor, personification, and symbol
Example: She is a pain in the neck.
What are some figures of speech in “Self Reliance”?
Look for metaphors, symbols, personification, aphorisms, or allusions

13. Ralph Waldo Emerson “Self Reliance”
“Envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide”
Comparing our desire to be exactly like others to stupidity and self harm (metaphor)
“no kernel of nourishing corn”—
not literal corn; rather the idea that the work we do on our own and for our own fulfillment in some way feeds our souls more than the work we do because others expect us to do (metaphor)
“Every heart vibrates to that iron string”
symbolizes that part of us that is unique and different which is satisfied when we follow our own intuition(symbolism and aphorism)
“he who would gather immortal palms”
not literal palm leaves; comparing palm leaves to success. If you want to find success, then you cannot be a conformist (metaphor)
“For nonconformity the world whips you”
the world as a slave master beating a slave…when you are different, the world harshly judges you (personification)

14. Ralph Waldo Emerson “Self Reliance”
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
Consistency does not allow for progress or change
Hobgoblin is a frightening creature
A little mind is not open to new ideas
What does it mean?
A little mind accepts the status quo at the expense of progress (metaphor)
Shadow on the wall
represents emptiness we feel when we don’t think for ourselves and just accept the status quo (metaphor)
“Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus…” (allusion)
All historical figures who were advanced thinkers for their times and who faced severe consequences for their radical ideas
Theme: Only in non-conformity do people become fully human

15. Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 Background Info Born in Concord, Mass.
Longtime friend of family/mentor to Thoreau: EMERSON
Graduated from Harvard in 1837
First introduction to English literature, Romanticism, and German Transcendental Philosophy
Attempted career as a teacher from
Felt unfulfilled and directionless
Began experiment at Walden Pond in 1845
Emerson’s land and idea
Attempt to rediscover the heroism of simple life
2 ½ years lived alone off the land
Published Walden in 1854—had no intention of writing a book. Wrote Walden to answer the numerous questions of others

16. Henry David Thoreau Walden, or Life in the Woods
Theme: Behind its outward appearance, Nature contains a spiritual reality
Nature speaks fundamental truths, but we are too busy with our modern lives to notice and learn from them
In order to hear the messages that Nature has to teach us, we must SIMPLIFY our existence
Is Thoreau advocating that seclusion from society is for everyone?

17. Henry David Thoreau From “Civil Disobedience”
Theme: the dangers of majority rule; individual citizens have a responsibility to follow their moral convictions and to withdraw support from institutions (even gov’ts) that are involved in immoral action
Background: Thoreau refused to pay the poll tax as a form of resistance to the unjust institution of slavery; jailed for one night (aunt paid the next day)

18. Henry David Thoreau
Evidence of Romanticism/Transcendentalism in Thoreau’s work
Stress on the integrity of the individual
Non-conformity: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.”
Spiritual answers can be found in Nature: “I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately..”
Conscience as a higher imperative than the rules of the state
Description of ideal gov’t, “a government is best that governs least”