1. A movement in American Literature Early to Mid 1800s
Transcendentalism
A movement in American Literature
Early to Mid 1800s

2. What is Transcendentalism?
A popular American philosophy rooted in New England. It was based partly on ancient ideas (i.e., Plato), but was mostly considered a radical movement, threatening to established institutions.
It was already decades since the Americans had won independence from England. Now, it was time for literary independence. They attempted to create a uniquely American body of literature.
A generation of well-educated people struggling to define spirituality and religion

3. 4 Main Themes
Nature
By being in nature, we can connect to it; thusly connecting to God, and be able to understand everything. Transcendentalists believed we can learn from nature and approach an understanding of universal order through it. Each individual is capable of using the natural world to achieve spiritual understanding. “Oversoul”- everything is connected.

4. 4 Main Themes
Carpe Diem
Latin for “Seize the day.” Live life to the fullest; make each day count. Live in the present.

5. Nonconformity 4 Main Themes
Be your own person. Don’t follow the crowd; be an individual; dare to be different. Transcen-dentalists believed that true nonconformists are often misunderstood and realized that is a difficult, yet necessary, way to live.

6. Simplify your life 4 Main Themes
Transcendentalists believed that unessential material possessions distract us from living life to the fullest and learning the true meaning of life. Get rid of your material things and go live in the woods! “Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts.” --Henry David Thoreau

7. Neoclassical/Rationalist Art Transcendentalism Art
Romanticism/
Transcendentalism Art

8. Emerson’s mentee, neighbor, and friend
Henry David Thoreau
Emerson’s mentee, neighbor, and friend

9. Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 extremely independent and stubborn
devoted to the art of living fully
in nature
Emerson was his friend and mentor
Went to Harvard

10. Walden pond
For two years he lived on 27 cents a week (=$12/week now) in a shack he built by himself on the shores of Walden Pond

11. Henry David Thoreau
While he was there, he wrote Walden- known as the “supreme work of Transcendentalist literature.”

12. Thoreau & The Mexican War
Thoreau did not agree with the Mexican War b/c it was in favor of slavery
So he didn’t pay his taxes b/c he knew the taxes would go to support the war
So he went to jail gladly

13. Thoreau & The Mexican War
His time in jail inspired him to write his essay “Civil Disobedience”
This essay inspires the audience to protest against, and even break the laws that they feel are unjust
Of course, you also must be willing to accept the consequences
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mohandas K Gandhi were both inspired by Thoreau’s ideas of civil disobedience

14. 9 Transcendentalist Principles
Thoreau’s
9 Transcendentalist Principles
Rules to live by

15. Oversoul #1: god as nature God Man Nature
Look inside yourself for divine guidance in learning to understand the nature of God.
God
Oversoul
Man
Nature

16. #2: CONTEMPLATION OF DIVINE NATURE & NATURE
Live life close to nature, for there a person can most successfully contemplate his reason for being

17. #3: SEARCH FOR MEANING
Devote yourself to the search for the meaning of life and not to the acquisition of material things

18. #4: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WORK
A person should be both physically and intellectually active throughout life

19. #5: KNOW THYSELF
Have the courage to follow the dictates of your own conscience, and be prepared to face the consequences
Example: Thoreau was a teacher, and when his headmaster tried to make him punish a kid with a whipping, Thoreau said “no” and quit.

20. #6: TIME AND PERSONAL GROWTH
Give time priority to personal growth rather than working for money
Find a job you love to do, not just to make $

21. #7: LEAST GOVERNMENT BEST
Have the courage to practice some sort of non-violent law-breaking if you believe the law to be in violation of your principles. Be willing to take the consequences that the government might invoke.

22. #8: DETERMINE TRUTH FOR YOURSELF
Live today for today, since yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come
now is the only true reality
accept only those traditions which appear to be true to you and reject the rest

23. #9: BE YOURSELF
Be yourself by exercising the self-discipline necessary to live by the first eight principles #9