Transcendentalism Transcendentalism A loose knit group of writers who flourished in the 1830’s and 1840’s. A loose knit group of writers who flourished

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism


A loose knit group of A loose knit group of writers who flourished in writers who flourished in the 1830’s and 1840’s.the 1830’s and 1840’s.

No religious or political No religious or political institution is as powerful institution is as powerful as the individual. as the individual.


The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution showed that machines could showed that machines could actually replace people. actually replace people.

One pastor was troubled by One pastor was troubled by this idea and searched for a this idea and searched for a new way of thinking.new way of thinking.


The pastor was Ralph Waldo The pastor was Ralph Waldo Emerson, and he started the Emerson, and he started the transcendentalism movement transcendentalism movement in America in 1833. in America in 1833.

The movement produced two The movement produced two major works: Emerson’s major works: Emerson’s Nature Nature and Thoreau’s and Thoreau’s WaldenWalden..


Emerson said the human Emerson said the human mind is so powerful and mind is so powerful and can unlock any mystery. can unlock any mystery. Every soul and all of nature Every soul and all of nature was part of an “Over Soul” a was part of an “Over Soul” a universal spirit to which all universal spirit to which all beings returned after death.beings returned after death.


Thoreau followed these views and Thoreau followed these views and wanted to experience life on a wanted to experience life on a simpler level in harmony with nature.simpler level in harmony with nature. All transcendentalists were All transcendentalists were

abolitionists and he chose not to abolitionists and he chose not to pay his taxes.pay his taxes.

He developed non-violent civil He developed non-violent civil disobedience and had a disobedience and had a profound effect on society. profound effect on society.

NatureNature

Cornerstones of Transcendentalist Cornerstones of Transcendentalist beliefs:beliefs: Human senses are limited. Deeper Human senses are limited. Deeper

truths can be grasped only through truths can be grasped only through intuition. intuition.

The observation of nature illuminates The observation of nature illuminates the nature of human beings. the nature of human beings.

God, nature, and humanity are united God, nature, and humanity are united in a shared universal soul, or Over-in a shared universal soul, or Over-Soul.Soul.

NatureNature

Identify the jarring image in this first passage Identify the jarring image in this first passage and explain what it means:and explain what it means:

The transparent eyeball The transparent eyeball means that Emerson can see means that Emerson can see everything. The metaphor everything. The metaphor suggests that Emerson is a suggests that Emerson is a huge, single eye.huge, single eye.

NatureNature

What is the relationship between What is the relationship between Emerson and nature? Emerson and nature? He feels spiritually a part of nature He feels spiritually a part of nature

and every living thing and God.and every living thing and God.

What emotions does Emerson What emotions does Emerson experience when in the woods?experience when in the woods? He experiences delight. He experiences delight.

NatureNature

According to Emerson, from where According to Emerson, from where does the power to produce “delight” does the power to produce “delight” come?come? The power comes from the The power comes from the

combination of man and nature.combination of man and nature. Do you agree or disagree with this Do you agree or disagree with this

statement about a harmony between statement about a harmony between human beings and nature? Explainhuman beings and nature? Explain Opinion backed with supportOpinion backed with support

Nature, 390Nature, 390

1. opinion1. opinion 2a. In the woods, in nature2a. In the woods, in nature 2b. Petty selfishness or 2b. Petty selfishness or

narcissismnarcissism 2c. It is replaced with delight 2c. It is replaced with delight

and divinity (connecting with and divinity (connecting with God). God).


3a. When he sheds his 3a. When he sheds his selfishness in nature.selfishness in nature.

3b. He feels connected to 3b. He feels connected to nature and God.nature and God.

3c. Emerson, like everyone, 3c. Emerson, like everyone, is connected to the universal is connected to the universal being. being.


4a. It comes from a harmony 4a. It comes from a harmony of man and nature.of man and nature.

4b. It is always intertwined, 4b. It is always intertwined, but not always serene. (like but not always serene. (like when there is severe weather when there is severe weather it affects people’s moods)it affects people’s moods)


5a. No, sometimes nature is 5a. No, sometimes nature is less welcoming. It depends less welcoming. It depends on weather and what mood on weather and what mood we bring to nature. we bring to nature.

5b. Nature reflects our mood 5b. Nature reflects our mood and our emotions. and our emotions.


6a. Nature teaches us how 6a. Nature teaches us how we are connected to we are connected to everyone and everything everyone and everything around us. around us.

6b. Opinion, but always 6b. Opinion, but always support with text. support with text.

7. support both sides7. support both sides

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Transcendentalism Transcendentalism A loose knit group of writers who flourished in the 1830’s and 1840’s. A loose knit group of writers who flourished