Transcendentalism sophmore english 10

what was transcendentalism

1830’s - 1840’s; philosophical and spiritual movement based in New England (largely in Concord, MA)

highlights of transcedentalism

intersects with romanticism but focuses more in philosophical and spiritual writing rather than literature; belief in self reliance and intuition were keys to spirituality; reason and nationalism are the OPPOSITE of transcendentalist principles.

individualism

humans are best when they think for themselves

idealism

the importance of creativity and imagination

divinity in nature

nature is sacred and divine

beliefs in transcedentalism

humans are inherently good; society and its institutions are corrupting (ie. govt. and religion); spirituality should come from the self, not from organized religion; insight and experience are more important than logic; nature is beautiful and should NOT BE ALTERED by humans in any way

Ralph Waldo Emerson

major leader / founder of the movement; struggling with loss of his wife & Industrial Revolution, he decided there was a better way to live/ think; published essays “Nature” and “Self-Reliance”

Henry David Thoreau

Student and friend of Emerson; wrote 2 things “Walden” and “Civil Disobedience”