1. Transcendentalism

2. Time Period Mid 1800’s U.S. is an established country
American writers are beginning to make a name for themselves
Becoming famous around the world
People want to read American ideas

3. Transcendentalism Philosophical/intellectual movement
Protest of the current state of culture and society
institutions corrupt the purity of the individual
Example: It’s better to have your own individual religious beliefs than to follow a church and not really know why or believe everything that church says
Relate this to “The Crucible”

4. Basic Beliefs Intuition (Instinct) Individualism a. non-conformity
a. More important that what one sees
b. Trust your “gut”
Individualism
a. non-conformity
b. be yourself / don’t follow the crowd

5. Turn and Talk
Do you think that most people are conformists or non-conformists?
What are the advantages of conformity?
What are the advantages of non- conformity?

6. 4. Human Potential 3. Self-Reliance Anti-Materialism
b. People should not be dependent on money or belongings
-Louisa May Alcott’s dad
4. Human Potential
a. People are naturally good
b. Everyone has limitless potential

7. Turn and talk:
Do you believe that everyone has the potential to achieve great things?
What does a person have to do in order to achieve his/her potential?

8. Key Players of the Transcendental Movement

9. Writer, philosopher, and lecturer Famous for his essays and poems
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Writer, philosopher, and lecturer
Famous for his essays and poems
Created the “Transcendental” Philosophy
Independently wealthy

10. Henry David Thoreau Friend of Emerson Known to Question Authority
Famous for Walden
-Lived alone in a cabin and wrote the book about his experience
-“The supreme work of Transcendentalist Literature”

11. Walt Whitman Inspired by Emerson Had little formal education
Emerson admired his writing and poetry
Most famous writing: Leaves of Grass

12. Margaret Fuller Friend of Emerson Believed in women’s rights
“We would have every path laid open to woman as to man.”
Co-founder and editor of “The Dial”
Transcendental magazine
Woman editor- unheard of at that time
She’s responsible for its success

13. Based on these notes, why do you think they called themselves Transcendentalists?

14. Practice for the Project- Lyrics
What Transcendental idea(s)?
Explain.

15. Cartoon