TRANSCENDENTALISM

English 10
Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement
developed in the mid-1800s by several authors that were
influenced by European romanticism. As America moved away
from their connection with farming and agriculture towards
industrialization and factories, many authors sought comfort and
expression in transcendentalism. It emphasizes:

Living a simple life

Living deliberately
Celebrating the truth found in nature
Celebrating the truth found in personal emotion and imagination
Trusting yourself and your intuition
Optimism, freedom, and self-reliance
The belief that people are inherently good
People should follow their own beliefs and avoid conformity
Humankind, nature, and God are all interconnected

The greatest form of expression through transcendentalism was

essays. Many authors would seclude themselves from the rest of
the world to find their connection with nature and developed
essays to express their discoveries and beliefs. These essays took
on either a formal or an informal tone.
- Formal: explore topics in a serious and organized manner.
- Informal: adopt a more casual tone and may include humor
and unconventional ideas.
Two of the most prominent authors and founders of
transcendentalism are Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David
Thoreau. They are considered two of the most significant
American authors in our history. They are also well-supported by
Margaret Fuller, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, H.L
Mencken, Ernest Hemingway, E.B. White, Joan Didion, and Amy

Tan, who found their expression through essays, novels, and

poetry.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (18031882) is considered the founder of
transcendentalism and is most famous for his formal essays SelfReliance and Nature. After attending Harvard University and
becoming a minister, his wife passed away of tuberculosis and left him
in a spiritual crisis. He resigned his post as a minister and settled in
Concord, Massachusetts where he devoted himself to the study of
philosophy, religion, and literature. This led to the development of
Nature which became the unofficial manifesto of his Transcendental
Club.

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead

where there is no path and leave a trail.
Henry David Thoreau (18171862), while not considered the main
founder of transcendentalism, is well-known for his excursion to
Walden, a pond where he dedicated a year of his life to living simply
and frugally, and to later publish its self-titled informal essay. He was
viewed for his eccentric and non-conformist behavior and beliefs, but is
now valued for his deep thought and careful observation. He also wrote
Civil
Disobedience, an
essay that
addressed the
unrest and
injustices caused by
the government,
The Mexican War,
and slavery, all
prominent issues in
America during his
time.

The mass of
of quiet

men lead lives

desperation.