1. TRANSCENDENTALISM Let’s all be one with nature for a few classes! Oh…and, according to transcendentalism, you are all inherently good and perfect.

2. How was your nature walk? Where did you go? What did you discover? How did you feel? WHY?

3. Ralph Waldo Emerson Wrote landmark essay, “Nature,” in 1836, expressing philosophy of transcendentalism Gave a speech, based on “Nature,” which has been referred to as America’s “Intellectual Declaration of Independence”

4. Precepts of Transcendentalism God’s presence in humans makes them divine There is unity in variety Man can perceive the divine in nature Celebration of individualism Faith in inherent goodness Belief that progress is inevitable Belief in self-reliance Human intuition is more important than outside authority.

5. Share Found Poem with two people! Blend of your words and Emerson’s to come up with a poem about your view of nature

6. Self Reliance In Pairs- Master your paragraph 5 minutes hot shots! Paraphrase your section! Pick out 1-2 majorly brilliant quotes and paraphrase what Emerson is saying BIG PICTURE!

7. MENU Complete Passage Analysis Staple directions on top of analysis Thank you for double spacing and writing in pen Keep poetry packet! Work on chart: “Self-Reliance” Skim over “Civil Disobedience” ensuring it is paraphrased

8. Understanding “Self Reliance” Trust ourselves Unique voices and opinions Society is concerned with wealth; structure is based on fear Be present/savor each moment Trust our own instincts Fear of alienation prevents voice Avoid ego Fulfillment vs success Expression vs conforming

9. Partner Questions What are the major barriers (in your own words) to self-reliance? What are the implications of self- reliance for business? For religion? For democracy? For traveling? For art?

10. Civil Disobedience - Note the key ideas of Thoreau’s message - Note what Thoreau wants people to do? What actions should people take? -Note how Thoreau’s idea connects with or clashes with Emerson’s ideas.

11. Anti-transcendentalist? Would you call Hawthorne an anti- transcendentalist? Anti-transcendentalists: Saw existence/spirituality as struggle between good and evil More pessimistic than Transcendentalists Thought nature was too vast and incomprehensible Thought Transcendentalism selfish and impractical Feared that, without external constraints, people would only be motivated to fulfill immediate needs for sensory gratification (scandalous!!)

12. Philosophical Circles In groups of three… Have your chart out… Round 1: Go around the circle and choose something that you wrote down that you agree with and discuss the topic Open forum- listen/share/challenge Round 2: Switch groups and repeat with something you disagreed.

13. “Civil Disobedience” Groups of four – quickly review the essay for clarity Consider how these ideas correlate with politics and news events today

14. Your poster/presentation Ensure you can thoroughly summarize the article for the class. At least five quotes (from the essays) connecting to transcendental philosophies Three of which must be from “Civil Disobedience” Each one should have a sentence describing connection Include annotations on what transcendentalists would advise

15. “Success” by Emerson To laugh often and love much; To win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children, To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

16. Precepts of Transcendentalism God is all-loving; the divine’s presence in humans makes them divine and assures their salvation. Humans are inherently good. Body, soul, and nature are connected, not separate. Human intuition is as valuable as the “5” senses. A balance between unity and variety is important Humans can access the divine through the natural world. Individuality is celebrated. Humans need to be self-reliant. If humans live according to transcendental ideals, progress is inevitable.