1. Emerson, Thoreau, and Transcendentalism

2. Transcendental Beliefs  A Universal Soul or Energy (Oversoul)  Essential Goodness of Humans  Corrupting nature of society  Perfectionism and Optimism  Symbolic aspect of nature

3. Emerson’s Major Ideas  Transparent Eyeball (Refers to the idea that one must empty oneself of previous ideas and experiences in order to “see” the proper nature of the universe.(Nature, 1836)  Demand for original American thought and art. (The American Scholar, 1837)

4. Emerson’s Ideas Cont.  Rejection of traditional values and ideas, in favor of one’s own empirical knowledge about the world. This includes religious beliefs. (Self- Reliance, The Divinity School Address)

5. Symbol, Nature, and language  Emerson’s dictum on the nature of nature and language. (Nature,1836)  1.Words are signs of natural facts  2.Particular natural facts are symbols of particular spiritual facts.  3.Nature is the symbol of the spirit  How are these ideas the dominant philosophy in American Romantic writing?

6. Henry David Thoreau: Major Works and Ideas Civil Disobedience--States that the only law men are bound to is the law of their own conscience. Also states that citizens have the right to peacefully rebel against unjust laws.

7. Works and Ideas Cont.  Walden (1854) Themes: Environmentalism Anti-materialism Self-reliance Critique of American Society

8. Quotes about Thoreau  Emerson: "He was bred to no profession; he never went to church; he never voted; he refused to pay a tax to the State; he ate no flesh; he drank no wine; he never knew the use of tobacco; and, though a naturalist, he used neither trap nor gun."

9. Quotes about Thoreau  James Russell Lowell: "He was a Transcendentalist crackpot and phony who insisted on going back to flint and steel when he had a matchbox in his pocket; a fellow to the loonies who thought bran or wearing of the substitution of hooks and eyes for buttons would save the world."