Transcendentalism

1. Transcendentalism 1840-1855

2. Keep in mind the historical set of Transcendentalism Political turmoil Social Reform Industrialization Immigration

3. Leading writers Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 Margaret Fuller 1810-1850 Bronson Alcott Louisa Mae Alcott

4. What is Transcendentalism? A literary movement An intellectual movement A philosophical movement with religious undertones

5. Basic Tenets of Transcendentalism Intuition is a higher faculty than understanding.

6. Basic Tenets of Transcendentalism The fundamental truths of being and the universe lie beyond the senses and can only be understood through intuition.

7. Basic Tenets of Transcendentalism Nature is a manifestation of God and the human spirit. The meaning of existence can be found through exploring nature.

8. Basic Tenets of Transcendentalism There is a spiritual relationship between humanity and nature.

9. Basic Tenets of Transcendentalism All forms of being –God, nature, man– are spiritually united under a shared universal soul—the Over-Soul.

10. Characteristics of Transcendentalist literature: • Romantic: it is part of the period • Focused on individualism • on democracy • on the poor and oppressed • Mystical • Optimistic • Intuitive • Philosophical

11. Works of the Transcendentalists “Nature” (1836) “The American Scholar” (1837) “Self Reliance” (1841) Ralph Waldo Emerson

12. Works of the Transcendentalists “Walden” 1854 by Henry David Thoreau “Civil Disobedience” 1849

13. Walden Pond

14. Thoreau’s Cabin

15. Emerson’s House