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Transcendentalists

Transcendentalists. American Literature. Remember… . Romantics & Transcendentalists = Emos Romantics were darker and more emotional and Hippies Transcendentalists focused on positive actions and creating change. Beginnings – Romantics & Transcendentalists.

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Transcendentalists

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  1. Transcendentalists American Literature

  2. Remember… • Romantics & Transcendentalists = • Emos • Romantics were darker and more emotional • and Hippies • Transcendentalists focused on positive actions and creating change

  3. Beginnings – Romantics & Transcendentalists • Both grew out of a reaction to the strict, Puritanical code at the foundation of American literature and society. • By the mid 1830’s, the Puritan rules and themes were considered outdated and repressive.

  4. Beginnings Cont. • Transcendental movement began a few years after the Romantic • Both groups chose to write anti-Puritan themes • Both chose to ignore topics like strict religion, morals and the issue of guilt • Each group chose very different ways of doing this.

  5. Hippies • The Transcendentalists’ main topic was “self reliance”. • While the Romantics wrote mainly to entertain • love poems or horror stories • the Transcendentalists wrote to effect change • motivational packets and political pieces.

  6. Transcendentalism

  7. Self reliance/intuition • Understanding comes from within individual, rather than being learned. • Individual capable of making own decisions without the help/guidance of society. • Emerson’s famous “Self Reliance” emphasized the importance of trusting your instinct.

  8. Importance of Nature • Two aspects: • the earth • human nature • In both aspects, nature was considered the ultimate guide and sustainer. (cont. next slide)

  9. Importance of Nature (cont.) • Transcendentalists found the divine in nature. • Unlike Puritans, didn’t need church • viewed the earth/nature as a spiritual place. • Thoreau’s famous Walden idealizes nature and water.

  10. Free thought & expression • society should not silence the individual • each person should be free to express him/herself without fear. • Transcendentalists did not all agree with each other, and thought these conflicting opinions made them stronger.

  11. The individual is important/non-conformity • individual conscience more important as guide than the law, government and community. • Thoreau refused to pay poll tax to protest slavery; Emily Dickinson wore only white

  12. Confidence • individual should rely on his/her own knowledge • rather than living by society’s norms and just “going with the flow”. • Americans could form their own identity and didn’t need to imitate Europeans

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