MsBenitezPAHS - Transcendentalism

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What is trancendentalism?
Trancendentalism is an American literary movement of the early 19th century, mainly centered around Ralph Waldo Emerson and Hery David Thoreau. Its radical beliefs and philisophical views on life led for this movement to be short lived. However, in essence this movement truly is ever lasting as the woks of trancendentalist authors such Emerson and Thoreau have inspired modern day leaders to make a change in our world using their works and most importantly their apohorims for inspiration.

(Recall our Sel-Reliance Poster Assignment for examples of modern day leaders who were inspired by this movement.)

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So what exactly is transcendentalism?

Trancendentalism was an important movement in philosophy and literature that flourished during the early to middle years of the nineteenth century (about 1836-1860). Trancendentalism revolved around a set of beliefs that focused on the individual, nature, and intuitive thought. Trancendentalism is in essence a state of mind and a form of spirituality.It emphasizes on this life and the consequences of one's actions on this life.Transcendentalist rejected material possessions and opted to live a more "simple" life appreciating one's soul and unification with nature. For the transcendentalists, the soul of each individual is identical with the soul of the world and contains what the world contains.

Basic Transcendentalist Premises:

1. An individual is the center of the universe. An individual finds himself within himself.It is not a rejection of the existence of God, but a preference to explain an individual and the world in terms of an individual.

2. Nature is symbolic. One is one with nature and one can find onself in nature as well.

3. The belief that individual virtue and happiness depend upon self-realization.

4. A desire to embrace the whole world - to know and become one with the world.

Ultimately, to be a trancendentalist it to be self-reliant, be one with nature, to eliminate materialistic possessions, to be a non-conformist, and reject outside forces that prevents one from truly being free.

Featured Trancendentalist Author:
1. Henry David Thoreau
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/authors/thoreau/

2. Walden Pond Exhibit
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/walden/

Are you a trancendentalist?