1. Transcendentalism

2. Origins of Transcendentalism
A religious, philosophical, and literary movement.
Began in New England in the 1830s.

3. Core Ideas
There is a “true” reality that transcends, or goes beyond, the physical world.
People will find truth within themselves, not through logic, religion or the senses.
Nature is a doorway to the spiritual world.

4. Nonconformity Self-reliance Free thought Confidence
Key Beliefs
Nonconformity
Self-reliance
Free thought
Confidence
Importance of Nature

5. 1. Nonconformity: failure or refusal to conform. Key Beliefs
*Society corrupts a persons inner goodwill & by remaining outside of society’s influences a person could transcend the evils society tempted them with and achieve true peace. Be yourself!

6. 2. Self-reliance: Key Beliefs Individuals are created
equally but in a unique way –
Reach for your own dreams.
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” Henry David Thoreau

7. 3. Free thought: Thinking that is unrestrained by any authority.
Key Beliefs
3. Free thought:
Thinking that is
unrestrained by any
authority.
Respect others beliefs & thoughts BUT you also have to believe in yourself.

8. 4. Confidence: Believe in yourself! Key Beliefs
“What lies behind us & what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.” Henry David Thoreau

9. 5.Importance of Nature: observation over authority. Key Beliefs
“Every particular in nature, a leaf, a drop, a crystal, a moment of time is related to the whole, and partakes of the perfection of the whole.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

10. Main Figures Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau
Teacher, philosopher, lecturer
Essays- “Self-reliance” & “Nature”
Poet
Henry David Thoreau
Student, practitioner
Book- Walden
Essay- “Civil Disobedience”
Cabin at Walden Pond

11. Walden Pond- Concord, Massachusetts