1. Transcendentalism

2. Time Period/Cultural Foundation
Mid 1800’s
U.S. is an established country
American writers are beginning to make a name for themselves
Desire to break away and establish uniquely American literary form
Second Great Awakening
Need to redefine spirituality and religion in light of new understandings of the age
Social reform movements
anti-slavery
women’s rights movement

3. Transcendentalism Philosophical/intellectual movement
Began as a reform movement in the Unitarian church
Religion/closeness to God is dependent upon the individual rather than the institution
Protest of the current state of culture and society
institutions corrupt the purity of the individual

4. Basic Beliefs Intuition (Instinct) Individualism (non-conformity)
a. More important that what one sees
b. Trust your “gut”
Individualism (non-conformity)
Emerson told Americans
a. stop looking to Europe for inspiration / imitation
b. be yourselves

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
4. Human Potential
a. People are naturally good
b. Everyone has limitless potential

7. Turn and Talk
Think of 2 examples of events that are happening today that illustrate self-reliance and human potential.
Be ready to share with the class.

8. 5. Importance of Nature a. Life is wasted pursuing wealth and following social customs. b. Nature can show that "all good things are wild and free” (Thoreau). c. Can learn much of what you need through nature

9. With your elbow partner…
Based on the notes so far, read the statement and explain how it relates to the Transcendental movement.

10. Key Players of the Transcendental Movement

11. The Most Famous Transcendentalist Authors
Primarily Nonfiction Writers
Ralph Waldo Emerson (more on him later)
Henry David Thoreau (more on him later)
Primarily Fiction Writers
Nathanial Hawthorne
Herman Melville
Louisa May Alcott (author of Little Women)
Primarily Poets
Walt Whitman
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The Most Famous Transcendentalist Authors

12. Ralph Waldo Emerson Began as a teacher in a school for girls
Traveled to Europe
Began to lecture
Topics: ethical living and spirituality
Believed in personal spirituality
Anti-institutionalism
Writer, philosopher, and lecturer
Famous for his essays and poems
Created the “Transcendental” Philosophy
“Father” of Transcendentalism

13. Emerson’s Nature Emerson's first, and most famous, book
It expressed the main principles of the then new movement, transcendentalism
Soon after its publication, a discussion group titled “The Transcendentalist Club” formed in Concord, MA.
This club began to publish an influential magazine, called The Dial
The group, and the magazine, were devoted to a deeper understanding of literature and philosophy

14. Emerson’s Essays & Poetry
Emerson’s next two books were essay compilations
Most focused on his faith in the moral order of the universe, as well as the divine force governing it
Emerson was also known for his poetry
He wrote much like the Fireside Poets of the era
Common motifs: mystical religion, his own frustrations with society, and celebrating nature

15. Emerson’s Influence
Emerson influenced the works of many, including (but not limited to):
Henry David Thoreau
Herman Melville
Walt Whitman
Emily Dickinson
Louisa May Alcott
Henry James
Robert Frost

16. Henry David Thoreau Friend of Emerson Known to Question Authority
Made pencils and gave lectures to support himself
Lectured against slavery
Famous for Walden
-Lived alone in a cabin and wrote the book about his experience
-His focus was the Importance of Nature
-“The supreme work of Transcendentalist Literature”

17. Thoreau’s relationship with Emerson
The two met at Harvard: Emerson quickly became Thoreau’s mentor
Emerson was the first to encourage Thoreau to write, and he provided Thoreau with valuable criticism
After Harvard, Emerson hired Thoreau as a gardener and handyman (this afforded Thoreau with the funds and time to focus on his writing)
Emerson taught Thoreau about the transcendentalist philosophy
My students are working on taking notes quickly—do not wait for the slowest note-taker to finish. Simply go over the points on the slide, maybe elaborate briefly if you would like, and then move along.
At most, this slide should take 4 minutes.

18. Thoreau’s Walden Thoreau’s most famous work
One of the most widely read works of nonfiction still today
One of the most commonly quoted works of American Literature
It was inspired by his year spent living alone just off the shore of Walden Pond
He lived there from July 1845 until Sept
He insisted that his time living alone was an experiment in simple living and not a withdrawal from society
Again, do not wait for the slowest note-taker to finish. Simply go over the points on the slide, maybe elaborate briefly if you would like, and then move along.
It is especially not necessary for much time to be spent on this slide, since there is a video coming up that reviews this information!
At most, this slide should take 4 minutes.

19. Thoreau & Civil Disobedience
Thoreau was one of the most influential spokesmen for civil disobedience, the deliberate and public refusal to obey a law
In 1846, he spent a night in jail for refusing to pay taxes
He argued that he did not owe allegiance to a government that captured runaway slaves and waged war on Mexico to expand its area of slavery
In his most famous essay, “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience,” he declared that people should refuse to obey any law they believe is unjust
Again, do not wait for the slowest note-taker to finish. Simply go over the points on the slide, maybe elaborate briefly if you would like, and then move along.
At most, this slide should take 4 minutes.

20. Thoreau’s Influence
Thoreau influenced the works and actions of many authors and public rights activists, including (but not limited to):
Leo Tolstoy of Russia
Mohandas Gandhi of India
Martin Luther King, Jr. and most other leaders of the American civil rights movement
Again, do not wait for the slowest note-taker to finish. Simply go over the points on the slide, maybe elaborate briefly if you would like, and then move along.
It is especially not necessary for much time to be spent on this slide, since there is a video coming up that reviews this information!
If students run out of time, allow them to take a picture of this slide with their phones, if needed. Also, feel free to let them know that this PowerPoint is on the website (titled “Transcendentalism, Day 4”).
At most, this slide should take 4 minutes.

21. More transcendentalists/authors

22. Margaret Fuller Colleague of Emerson
Early advocate of women’s rights and advancement in all areas- from marriage to government
Published “Conversations” with Alcott
“We would have every path laid open to woman as to man.”
Co-founder and editor of “The Dial”
Transcendental journal
Woman editor- unheard of at that time
She’s responsible for its success

23. George Ripley Unitarian minister- resigned amid controversy
Outspoken defender of Transcendentalism
With his wife, cofounder of Brook Farm (1845)
Utopian Idea
“…a society of liberal, intelligent, and cultivated persons, whose relations with each other would permit a more simple and wholesome life…”
The farm ultimately failed due to lack of funds
“…must inevitably fail because it was operating
on too small a scale….”

24. Walt Whitman Inspired by Emerson Had little formal education
Emerson was astonished by his unique poetry
Emerson admired his writing and poetry
Struggled financially most of his life
Supported by other writers
Most famous writing: Leaves of Grass
Vowed to live a “purged” and “cleansed” life

25. Elizabeth Peabody She was a teacher Emerson was her teacher
Started several schools
Emerson was her teacher
Started “Historical School”
Meant to help educate women
Influences Fuller to start her lecture series
Started Temple School with Alcott
They "believed that truth came not only from intellectual learning, but also from nurturing the nonrational, intuitive powers as well..."

26. Now. . .
Respond to the two prompts given to you. Use a sheet of paper from the table to answer the prompts if you need to.
Remember, your answers do not have to be long, but they do need to be complete. Use complete sentences.

27. Emerson/Thoreau Assignment
Read the article and annotate it. With a partner, label references to the five tenets of transcendentalism and explain why/how you know. Answer the questions provided.