1. Transcendentalism

2. Transcendentalism Transcendentalism can be difficult to define.
Many different views among philosophers, but that is essentially what creates Transcendentalism. They celebrated their individuality.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Henry David Thoreau

3. Transcendentalism
Focus: Freedom, Nature, Optimism, Intuition, Mindfulness
Style/Characteristics: essay, nonfiction, poetry, novel
Philosophies:
The individual should follow intuition/conscience rather than reason.
One must rise above (transcend) the current state of the world (politics, church, society) to become self-aware
Inspiration/spirituality is everywhere and in everything

4. Romanticism vs. Transcendentalism
Truth is found through:
Emotion (External)
Intuition/Conscience (Internal)
Individuals need:
Freedom from Institutions
To completely transcend/
Rise above societal constraints
Spirituality is the understanding that:
God is something personal
God is everywhere and in everything
Expressed in forms of:
Fiction (Most often)
Nonfiction (Most prominently)

5. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
American poet, essayist, and philosopher
Entered the ministry but resigned due to conflicting philosophies
Central figure of Transcendentalism
Known for challenging traditional thought
An optimist in contrast to gothic writers of the time
His motto became “Trust Thyself” which many Transcendentalists adopted