1. Notes on Ralph Waldo Emerson Facts about Emerson: Facts about Emerson: Born in Boston, 1803 Born in Boston, 1803 In 1832, became a transcendentalist after spending time in Europe with Wordsworth, Coleridge and other writers In 1832, became a transcendentalist after spending time in Europe with Wordsworth, Coleridge and other writers Founder of transcendentalism in America Founder of transcendentalism in America

2. Emerson He was a minister that encouraged writers to move out of the ancestral style of writing and move into free thinking He was a minister that encouraged writers to move out of the ancestral style of writing and move into free thinking Transcendentalists: belief that each individual could transcend, or move beyond, the physical world of the senses into deeper spiritual experience through free will and intuition. Transcendentalists: belief that each individual could transcend, or move beyond, the physical world of the senses into deeper spiritual experience through free will and intuition.

3. Emerson In this school of thought, God was not remote and unknowable; believers understood God and themselves by looking into their own souls and by feeling their own connection to nature. In this school of thought, God was not remote and unknowable; believers understood God and themselves by looking into their own souls and by feeling their own connection to nature. Transcendentalist who still lived in the luxuries of life Transcendentalist who still lived in the luxuries of life 1841-44: Published two volumes of essays included two most famous ones 1841-44: Published two volumes of essays included two most famous ones He was a major influence on Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau He was a major influence on Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau

4. Transcendentalism Where do we look for truth? What is the price of progress? Do you chart your own course? Is it patriotic to protest one’s government?

5. From the Poets to the Transcendentalists Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that falls within the boundaries of Romanticism. Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that falls within the boundaries of Romanticism. The term transcendentalism is derived from the word “transcend” or “to rise above.” The term transcendentalism is derived from the word “transcend” or “to rise above.” The Transcendentalists are essentially Romantics in terms of ideology, but their subject matter and genre of writing are different. The Transcendentalists are essentially Romantics in terms of ideology, but their subject matter and genre of writing are different.

6. Seven Characteristics of the Transcendentalists 1. Emphasized living a simple life. 2. Stressed a close relationship to nature. 3. Celebrated emotions and the imagination. 4. Stressed individualism and self-reliance. 5. Believed intuition (or your gut feelings) can lead to knowledge. 6. Believed in the inherent goodness of people; optimistic. 7. Encouraged spiritual well-being over financial well- being.

7. Interests of the Transcendentalists Getting back to nature and simplicity… Getting back to nature and simplicity… They left the industrialized city for country life. They left the industrialized city for country life. They rejected materialism for self-production of only the essentials of life. They rejected materialism for self-production of only the essentials of life. They found spiritual truth and peace in natural surroundings. They found spiritual truth and peace in natural surroundings. Stressing self-reliance and individualism… Stressing self-reliance and individualism… They took care of themselves instead of relying on mass-produced material goods. They took care of themselves instead of relying on mass-produced material goods. They believed that all humans are intuitively capable of knowing the truth without the aid of the church or government. They believed that all humans are intuitively capable of knowing the truth without the aid of the church or government. They protested the government when they believed it was wrong rather than blending in with the majority. They protested the government when they believed it was wrong rather than blending in with the majority.

8. Genre of the Transcendentalists The Transcendentalists primarily composed essays. The Transcendentalists primarily composed essays. An essay is a short work of nonfiction that offers a writer’s opinion on a particular subject. An essay is a short work of nonfiction that offers a writer’s opinion on a particular subject. Most Transcendentalists began by recording ideas in a journal; they then created essays to give these ideas structure and refine concepts. Most Transcendentalists began by recording ideas in a journal; they then created essays to give these ideas structure and refine concepts. Essays fall into two categories: informal—adopts a more casual tone and may include humor and unconventional topics—and formal—explores topics in a serious and organized manner. Essays fall into two categories: informal—adopts a more casual tone and may include humor and unconventional topics—and formal—explores topics in a serious and organized manner.

9. Four Elements of an Essay Organization: arrangement of the main ideas and supporting details. Ex. Narrative, cause-and-effect, and compare-and-contrast. Organization: arrangement of the main ideas and supporting details. Ex. Narrative, cause-and-effect, and compare-and-contrast. Supporting details: facts, opinions, reasons, sensory details, anecdotes, and examples that support the main idea. Supporting details: facts, opinions, reasons, sensory details, anecdotes, and examples that support the main idea. Diction: the way a writer uses and arranges language. Diction: the way a writer uses and arranges language. Tone: the expression of a writer’s attitude toward a subject. Tone: the expression of a writer’s attitude toward a subject.

10. The Transcendentalists at Work! Henry Goes to Fitchburg Henry Goes to Fitchburg

11. Questions About the Video What was the big difference between Henry and his friend? What was the big difference between Henry and his friend? Which bear seemed happiest? Which bear seemed happiest? Do you think the author is biased towards one particular side? Do you think the author is biased towards one particular side? Which bear are you most similar to? How? Which bear are you most similar to? How? In what ways does this video demonstrate Transcendental thought? In what ways does this video demonstrate Transcendental thought?

12. Facts about Thoreau: Born 1817 in Concord, MASS Born 1817 in Concord, MASS Started writing nature poetry in 1840 after meeting Emerson Started writing nature poetry in 1840 after meeting Emerson Transcendentalist that actually practiced what he preached Transcendentalist that actually practiced what he preached He worked for Emerson as a caretaker of his home He worked for Emerson as a caretaker of his home

13. Facts about Thoreau: In 1845, started his 2 year, 2 month, 2 day stay at Walden Pond (which was on Emerson’s property) In 1845, started his 2 year, 2 month, 2 day stay at Walden Pond (which was on Emerson’s property) Coined the term “Civil Disobedience” after spending a night in jail after refusing to pay a poll tax that helped support slavery Coined the term “Civil Disobedience” after spending a night in jail after refusing to pay a poll tax that helped support slavery He was a major influence on Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. He was a major influence on Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. Known as “Father of Environmentalism” and biggest influence on transcendentalism Known as “Father of Environmentalism” and biggest influence on transcendentalism

14. Homework Read and Annotate “Walden” Read and Annotate “Walden” Discussion Question- “Do you ever get overloaded with technology, noise? Do you ever need quiet in order to unwind and think?” Discussion Question- “Do you ever get overloaded with technology, noise? Do you ever need quiet in order to unwind and think?” Complete chart in notes Complete chart in notes