Transcendentalism

1. Transcendentalism “Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.” --Emerson

2. Transcendentalism • Refers to the idea that in determining the ultimate reality of God, universe, or self, one must TRANSCEND (go beyond) everyday human experience • How do we achieve transcendence? • When we look to nature for the answers

3. Transcendentalism • Beliefs (tenets) of Transcendentalism • Everything in the world is a reflection of the Divine Soul/Oversoul (GOD) • Nature is the doorway to the spiritual world • Intuition can reveal God’s spirit in nature or in self • Self reliance and Individualism must be more important than conforming • Conformity: to go along with the accepted and established “rules” society, specifically social rules, attitudes, and practices • Spontaneous feelings and intuition are superior to intellect and rationalism

4. Transcendentalism • American Transcendentalists based their beliefs off of several other philosophies • 18th century German philosophy Immanuel Kant—first coined the term “Transcendental” • Philosophical work of Plato, who believed in human perfectability • Buddhist philosophy • American Puritan Tradition • Romantic ideals

5. Transcendentalism • Key characteristics • Intuition • Optimism • God is good and God works through nature • Live a life of purpose for others

6. Transcendentalism • Key Characteristics • Nationalism • Plain Living • Non Conformity and Individualism • Ideas and Dreams are important, more important than reason and logic

7. Ralph Waldo Emerson • Background • Born in Boston to a cultured but poor family • Educated at Harvard • Family expected Ralph to become a minister like seven generations of Emersons before him • Worked as a minister, a public education reformer, and an abolitionist • Found success as a lecturer—a new pulpit • Created a grass roots movement among young, college educated Americans who were searching for a “higher truth” • Became the leader and guru of the “Transcendental Club” which was a utopian group bent on changing the world • Utopian Society: an ideal society, especially in its social, political, and moral aspects

8. Ralph Waldo Emerson • “Nature” • Literary Devices • Paradox: the linking of seemingly contradictory elements in order to reveal some kind of truth • Ex: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”—R&J • “Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece.” • “I am glad to the brink of fear.” • Metaphor • Nature is described as a “plantation[s] of God.” • Plantation is a large, carefully planted farm Nature or the Earth is God’s farm, carefully planted with trees, etc. for each location

9. Ralph Waldo Emerson • Literary Devices • Personification: giving human characteristics, thoughts or feelings to an object or animal • In what ways does Emerson personify Nature? • Woods and fields “minister” to people • Plants nod and wave to him • Why is it important for Emerson to personify nature? • All living things are part of the Oversoul • A personal level of interaction with Nature promotes a higher level of thought—how am I connected to the world around me?

10. Ralph Waldo Emerson • “Nature” • Theme: Nature’s beauty and tranquility allow people to be more in tune with the Oversoul • Literary Devices • Imagery: the use of language to evoke a picture or concrete sensation of a person, place, thing or experience • What are some memorable images from “Nature”?

11. Ralph Waldo Emerson“Self Reliance” • Discussion Questions • “We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents.” • Do you agree? • Why or when might we be ashamed to truly be ourselves? • “Accept the place the divine Providence has found for you.” • What is the implication of this quotation? What must we do to achieve greatness? • “Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood—is it so bad then to be misunderstood?...to be great is to be misunderstood…” • Do you agree? Why did Emerson choose the 7 individuals listed in the essay? Who might be considered great but misunderstood in our time?

12. Ralph Waldo Emerson“Self Reliance” • Literary Devices • Figure of speech: a word or phrase that describes one thing in terms of another and is not meant to be taken literally • figures of speech refers to numerous literary devices including simile, metaphor, personification, and symbol • Example: She is a pain in the neck. • What are some figures of speech in “Self Reliance”? • Look for metaphors, symbols, personification, aphorisms, or allusions

13. Ralph Waldo Emerson“Self Reliance” • “Envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide” • Comparing our desire to be exactly like others to stupidity and self harm (metaphor) • “no kernel of nourishing corn”— • not literal corn; rather the idea that the work we do on our own and for our own fulfillment in some way feeds our souls more than the work we do because others expect us to do (metaphor) • “Every heart vibrates to that iron string” • symbolizes that part of us that is unique and different which is satisfied when we follow our own intuition(symbolism and aphorism) • “he who would gather immortal palms” • not literal palm leaves; comparing palm leaves to success. If you want to find success, then you cannot be a conformist (metaphor) • “For nonconformity the world whips you” • the world as a slave master beating a slave…when you are different, the world harshly judges you (personification)

14. Ralph Waldo Emerson“Self Reliance” • “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” • Consistency does not allow for progress or change • Hobgoblin is a frightening creature • A little mind is not open to new ideas • What does it mean? • A little mind accepts the status quo at the expense of progress (metaphor) • Shadow on the wall • represents emptiness we feel when we don’t think for ourselves and just accept the status quo (metaphor) • “Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus…” (allusion) • All historical figures who were advanced thinkers for their times and who faced severe consequences for their radical ideas • Theme: Only in non-conformity do people become fully human

15. Henry David Thoreau1817-1862 • Background Info • Born in Concord, Mass. • Longtime friend of family/mentor to Thoreau: EMERSON • Graduated from Harvard in 1837 • First introduction to English literature, Romanticism, and German Transcendental Philosophy • Attempted career as a teacher from 1837-1843 • Felt unfulfilled and directionless • Began experiment at Walden Pond in 1845 • Emerson’s land and idea • Attempt to rediscover the heroism of simple life • 2 ½ years lived alone off the land • Published Walden in 1854—had no intention of writing a book. Wrote Walden to answer the numerous questions of others

16. Henry David Thoreau • Walden, or Life in the Woods • Theme: Behind its outward appearance, Nature contains a spiritual reality • Nature speaks fundamental truths, but we are too busy with our modern lives to notice and learn from them • In order to hear the messages that Nature has to teach us, we must SIMPLIFY our existence • Is Thoreau advocating that seclusion from society is for everyone?

17. Henry David Thoreau • From “Civil Disobedience” • Theme: the dangers of majority rule; individual citizens have a responsibility to follow their moral convictions and to withdraw support from institutions (even gov’ts) that are involved in immoral action • Background: Thoreau refused to pay the poll tax as a form of resistance to the unjust institution of slavery; jailed for one night (aunt paid the next day)

18. Henry David Thoreau • Evidence of Romanticism/Transcendentalism in Thoreau’s work • Stress on the integrity of the individual • Non-conformity: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” • Spiritual answers can be found in Nature: “I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately..” • Conscience as a higher imperative than the rules of the state • Description of ideal gov’t, “a government is best that governs least”