1. Transcendentalism Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau
from Self-Reliance (pg. 368)
Nature (pg. 373)
Henry David Thoreau
from Walden (pg. 378)
from Civil Disobedience (pg. 390)

2. Transcendentalism Ralph Waldo Emerson’s motto was “Trust thyself”
This principle lies at the heart of transcendentalism
Transcendentalism—an intellectual movement that emphasized the dignity of the individual and advocated a simple, mindful life
The transcendentalists, led by Emerson himself, wanted to transcend—or go beyond—the limitations of the senses and everyday experience

3. Transcendentalism Key tenets of transcendentalism include:
a theory that “transcendent forms” of truth exist beyond reason and experience; every individual is capable of discovering this truth on his or her own, through intuition
a conviction that people are inherently good and should follow their own beliefs, however controversial they may be
a belief that humankind, nature, and God are all interconnected

4. What is your MOTTO?
The ancient Roman poet Horace gravely advised, “Never despair.”
Modern comedian Woody Allen quipped that the secret to success in life is simple: “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”
Each of these mottos captures an individual’s attitude toward life in one pithy phrase.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s motto, “Trust thyself,” distills the essence of the ideals he expressed in his essays and lectures.

5. Vocabulary, “Self-Reliance” and “Nature”
aversion
exhilaration
nonconformist
decorum
importune
occult

6. Ralph Waldo Emerson Expressed the advantages of a young land
Free from old, corrupt ideas of Europe
Energy and opportunity to reform the world
Appealed to both intellectuals and the general public

7. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson was expected to go to Harvard and become a Minister like the seven generations of Emersons before him
He uncomfortably complied
Graduated and accepted a position as a minister by the age of 25
That same year he married Ellen Tucker

8. Ralph Waldo Emerson
His young wife had died 17 months after their marriage of tuberculosis
He was grief stricken and had disbeliefs with several of the central doctrines of Unitarian religion
In June of 1832, Emerson shocked his family and congregation by resigning

9. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson remarried Lydia Jackson in 1833 and settled in Concord, Mass.
Began lecturing to supplement income
Main thought was to forget the past and “find the pure standard in the idea of man.”
Man/souls were part of larger entity

10. Ralph Waldo Emerson Emerson said that all humans have an “Over-soul”
Nature reflects the souls of humans
His influence grew over years
Once lectured that formal religions should be abandoned for a more personal relationship with God

11. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Young people and Emerson’s contemporaries could see that America was on the verge of a New Age
Agreed with Emerson’s ideals and statements
Era sometimes called “American Renaissance”; renaissance means re-birth

12. from Self-Reliance
Re-read the ideas in lines Based on these lines what inferences can you make about the theme of this selection?
The theme addresses self-reliance, or Emerson’s belief that people should rely upon their own capabilities and instincts.
“imitation is suicide”

13. from Self-Reliance
Do you agree with Emerson that people should trust themselves? What does he mean by that passage?
Yes, people should trust instincts
No, trusting oneself can lead to arrogance and society cannot survive if people do what they want, when they want = anarchy

14. from Self-Reliance
Transcendentalists believed in disregarding external authority in favor of one’s own experience and intuition. What is implied by the word sacred in line 21?
By using the word sacred, Emerson implies that people should follow their own impulses because their impulses come from God.

15. from Self-Reliance What is a “hobgoblin?”
A messenger, a foreshadowing element
What comment is Emerson making about consistency through this figure of speech?
That rigid consistency in thought/action can prevent growth, change, fulfillment of potential

16. from Nature
Imagery—is the use of language to evoke a picture or concrete sensation of a person, thing, place or an experience
A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement. How can Emerson be alone and not solitary?
When reading/writing, still wrapped up in society and human concerns.

17. from Nature Which of the five senses does Emerson appeal to?
Sight
Why might adults not be able to see nature as well as children?
Take it for granted; don’t have time; it’s new and exciting for children

18. from Nature
Do you agree with Emerson’s “lover of nature?” Do you think that people can be affected this way?
Nature can affect people (situational)
Some emotion only evoked by human contact

19. from Nature
According to Emerson, how can a place be both decorous and festive?
God gives nature sanctity = decorous
Colors and beauty = festive
Explain this quote: “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.”
Person’s perception of nature depends on his/her mood

20. from Nature Main ideas of Nature:
Lover of nature remains young thru emotional/aesthetic appreciation of nature
Most adults lose this appreciation of nature
Nature eases our troubles by taking us outside selves/society and by connecting us to the grandeur of divine creation (God)