12/4 AI Transcendentalism Notes

Overview of American Romanticism and Transcendentalism

  • Definition of American Romanticism

    • Time Period: 1800 to 1860.

    • Known as American romanticism due to its distinct characteristics that differentiate it from British romanticism.

Historical Context

  • Formation of America

    • In the 1700s, following the country's formation, Americans were predominantly religious and traditional.

    • This era is associated with Rationalism.

    • Rationalism Defined:

    • The ideology that values logic and reason over feelings and personal experiences.

  • Transition to Romanticism

    • By the 1800s, American identity began to shift as the country emerged as an independent nation.

    • Cultural and literary identity was still in development.

    • Analogy used: America in the 1700s = toddler; America in the 1800s = teenager, exploring identity and often rebelling against previous traditions.

Emergence of Romantic Writers

  • A new generation of writers emerged known as Romantics.

  • Transcendentalists are a subgroup of Romantics focusing on shaping American culture.

  • Influences

    • Heavy inspiration from European literature, particularly from England.

    • Aim to adapt romantic ideals to fit American context.

Core Values of Transcendentalism

  • Key values represented with the letter 'I':

    • Intuition:

    • Encouragement to trust gut feelings and instincts; a call to personal understanding.

    • Imagination:

    • An ability to envision ideas without sensory input; the importance of creativity in transcending reality.

    • Individualism:

    • The empowerment of individual thought and decision-making.

    • Innocence:

    • Associated with childlike wonder and purity; a viewpoint reflecting an untainted view of the world.

    • Idealism:

    • The pursuit of perfection and high moral standards.

    • Inspiration from Nature:

    • A call to be creatively inspired by nature rather than routine life.

Relationship Between Rationalists and Romantics

  • Rationalists

    • Valued logic, reason, science, industry, and technology.

  • Romantics

    • Valued imagination, emotions, and personal experiences.

    • Importance of self-discovery and understanding oneself through feelings.

Distribution Within Romanticism

  • Divisions of Romantics

    • 1. Transcendentalists: Optimistic in perspective, focusing on the divine in nature and individual earnestness.

    • 2. Dark Romantics:

    • Included writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe.

    • Explored the darker aspects of humanity and delved into themes of guilt, sin, and obsession.

    • Critique of Transcendentalist optimism, showcasing the complexity within human nature.

    • Notable themes include the duality of good vs. evil and the facade of societal niceties masking deeper truths.

Key Characteristics of Transcendentalism

  • Philosophical Foundations

    • Belief that the physical world reflects the divine.

    • Advocacy for personal intuition over external authority, promoting the idea that individuals know themselves best.

    • Encourages deep self-awareness and critical thought.

Key Figures in Transcendentalism

  • Major figures include:

    • Ralph Waldo Emerson: Often referred to as the father of transcendentalism.

    • Henry David Thoreau: Emerson's pupil, noted for his work and beliefs in self-reliance.

    • Margaret Fuller: Significant contributor to the philosophy, though less discussed.

Summary of Emerson's "Self-Reliance"

  • Core Tenets

    • Emphasizes nonconformity, self-sufficiency, and the sanctity of personal thoughts.

    • Stresses the individuality of thought and warns against imitation, declaring that "Imitation is suicide".

    • Argues individuals are their best authority in understanding themselves.