1. Before we Begin Class Please take out your journal entry from yesterday over one of the discussion questions regarding Thoreau and Transcendentalism. Be ready to discuss them. Please take out your journal entry from yesterday over one of the discussion questions regarding Thoreau and Transcendentalism. Be ready to discuss them.

2. Trascendentalism, Emerson, and Thoreau The history, ideas, and two most prominent thinkers of a uniquely American movement

3. Historical Background Transcendentalist writers flourished in the 1830’s to 1840’s, primarily in New England Transcendentalist writers flourished in the 1830’s to 1840’s, primarily in New England During the industrial revolution, individuals felt unimportant seeing how easily they could be replaced by a machine along with the downplay of an individual’s importance by the church. During the industrial revolution, individuals felt unimportant seeing how easily they could be replaced by a machine along with the downplay of an individual’s importance by the church. Ralph Waldon Emerson, a pastor at the time, thought otherwise. He gave credit to the power of the human mind, thinking individuals are the ones that influenced society, not politics, religions or organizations. Ralph Waldon Emerson, a pastor at the time, thought otherwise. He gave credit to the power of the human mind, thinking individuals are the ones that influenced society, not politics, religions or organizations.

4. Historical Background, continued Many Transcendentalist were strong abolitionists and opposed the American Civil War. Henry Thoreau, in protest of war and slavery, wrote Civil Disobedience and refused to pay taxes. He was imprisoned for not paying taxes an went to jail for a day. Many Transcendentalist were strong abolitionists and opposed the American Civil War. Henry Thoreau, in protest of war and slavery, wrote Civil Disobedience and refused to pay taxes. He was imprisoned for not paying taxes an went to jail for a day. This display of nonviolent protest inspired many throughout history including Martian Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. This display of nonviolent protest inspired many throughout history including Martian Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.

5. Philosophical Background As thinkers, mankind have always divided into two sects, Materialists and Idealists; In philosophy, the theory of materialism holds that the only thing that exists is matter; that all things are composed of material and all phenomena (including consciousness) are the result of material interactions. In other words, matter is the only substance.philosophyexistsmatterconsciousness substance Any philosophy that places importance on the ideal or spiritual realm in its account of human existence may be termed "idealist". Metaphysical idealism is an ontology that holds that reality itself is essentially spirit or consciousness or, at least, that abstractions and laws are more basic to reality than the things we perceive. Epistemological idealism is the view that reality can only be known through ideas, that only psychological experience can be apprehended by the mind.philosophyMetaphysicalontologyEpistemological

6. Intuition as a Guide Post The intuitive faculty, instead of the rational or sensual, became the means for a conscious union of the individual psyche (known in Sanskrit as Atman) with the world psyche also known as the “Oversoul,” life-force, “prime mover” and God (known in Sanskrit as Brahma). The intuitive faculty, instead of the rational or sensual, became the means for a conscious union of the individual psyche (known in Sanskrit as Atman) with the world psyche also known as the “Oversoul,” life-force, “prime mover” and God (known in Sanskrit as Brahma).

7. Inspiration of transcendental philosophy The ideas for this philosophy come from the Greeks (Plato) The ideas for this philosophy come from the Greeks (Plato) Writers Writers Dante, Shakespeare, Milton Dante, Shakespeare, Milton World religions Hindus, Christians Hindus, Christians European philosophers Kant (German)-understanding through intuition Kant (German)-understanding through intuition Pascal (French)-mathematician/moralist Pascal (French)-mathematician/moralist Swedenborg (Swedish)-scientist/mystic Swedenborg (Swedish)-scientist/mystic European Romantic literature—stressed the break away from rationality in favor of the emotional components of life; truth is found in subjective experience

8. Transcendental Beliefs A Universal Soul or Energy (Oversoul) A Universal Soul or Energy (Oversoul) Essential Goodness of People Essential Goodness of People Corrupting nature of society Corrupting nature of society Perfectionism and Optimism Perfectionism and Optimism Symbolic aspects of nature: nature is a reflection of our inner lives Symbolic aspects of nature: nature is a reflection of our inner lives Transcendentalist derives from "transcend“, to rise. Meaning to rise above the primitive animalistic impulses of life and move from the normal, rational thinking to a spiritual realm. Transcendentalist derives from "transcend“, to rise. Meaning to rise above the primitive animalistic impulses of life and move from the normal, rational thinking to a spiritual realm. Meaning and value are not external, but reside in consciousness Meaning and value are not external, but reside in consciousness

9. Individual virtue and happiness depend upon self-realization—this depends upon the reconciliation of two universal psychological tendencies: 1. The desire to embrace the whole world—to know and become one with the world. 2. The desire to withdraw, remain unique and separate—an egotistical existence.

10. Transcendentalism in America “From 1840-1855, literature in American experienced a rebirth call the New England Renaissance. Through their poetry, short stories, novels, and other works, writers during this period established a clear American voice. No longer did they see their work as less influential then that of European authors. Transcendentalism was part of this ‘flowering’ of American literature” (Webster, 3). “From 1840-1855, literature in American experienced a rebirth call the New England Renaissance. Through their poetry, short stories, novels, and other works, writers during this period established a clear American voice. No longer did they see their work as less influential then that of European authors. Transcendentalism was part of this ‘flowering’ of American literature” (Webster, 3).

11.  The ideals of American democracy is a cornerstone of transcendentalism, which is tied in to the idea of American individuality.  Transcendentalists question rules and laws presented to them, attempting to change the ones that they believe are unjust, including the validity of slavery.

12. Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 Unitarian minister Poet and essayist Founded the Transcendental Club Popular lecturer Banned from Harvard for 40 years following his Divinity School address Supporter of abolitionism Founded The Dial, the key transcendentalist publication of the day

13. Emerson’s Major Ideas Emerson was the founder of the American transcendental movement, and its chief intellectual source Emerson was the founder of the American transcendental movement, and its chief intellectual source “Transparent Eyeball” (Refers to the idea that one must empty oneself of previous ideas and experiences in order to “see” the proper nature of the universe.(Nature, 1836) “Transparent Eyeball” (Refers to the idea that one must empty oneself of previous ideas and experiences in order to “see” the proper nature of the universe.(Nature, 1836) Demand for original American thought and art. (The American Scholar, 1837) Demand for original American thought and art. (The American Scholar, 1837)

14. Emerson’s Ideas Cont. Rejection of traditional values and ideas, in favor of one’s own empirical knowledge about the world. This includes religious beliefs. (Self-Reliance, The Divinity School Address) Rejection of traditional values and ideas, in favor of one’s own empirical knowledge about the world. This includes religious beliefs. (Self-Reliance, The Divinity School Address) Radical independence and originality—goal was to restore vigor and unique nature of the American Radical independence and originality—goal was to restore vigor and unique nature of the American Wanted to inspire a unique American intellectual and literary identity—come out from the shadow of Europe Wanted to inspire a unique American intellectual and literary identity—come out from the shadow of Europe America not yet a global superpower, thus owed much of culture to European forbears America not yet a global superpower, thus owed much of culture to European forbears Emerson’s project culminates in a sense in Whitman’s poetry as well as a sort of poetry native to America, originated by Americans Emerson’s project culminates in a sense in Whitman’s poetry as well as a sort of poetry native to America, originated by Americans

15. Henry David Thoreau 1817 - 1862 If Ralph Waldo Emerson was the philosopher of Transcendentalism, Thoreau was its most devoted practitioner. If Ralph Waldo Emerson was the philosopher of Transcendentalism, Thoreau was its most devoted practitioner. While Emerson wrote and lectured about Transcendentalism, Thoreau tried to live as a transcendentalist. While Emerson wrote and lectured about Transcendentalism, Thoreau tried to live as a transcendentalist.

16. Early Education Unlike Emerson, grew up in a middle class family. The family’s financial circumstances changed often. Unlike Emerson, grew up in a middle class family. The family’s financial circumstances changed often. Attended Harvard and graduated in 1837. Attended Harvard and graduated in 1837.

17. Early Career Worked as school teacher. Worked as school teacher. Contracted Tuberculosis, a disease he fought all his life. Contracted Tuberculosis, a disease he fought all his life. Had a short stint working in his father’s pencil factory. Had a short stint working in his father’s pencil factory.

18. The Lecturer and Rebel As an independent thinker, Thoreau became the head of the Concord Lyceum organizing lectures where he met Ralph Waldo Emerson. As an independent thinker, Thoreau became the head of the Concord Lyceum organizing lectures where he met Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thoreau eventually worked as a handyman and caretaker of Emerson’s estate while Emerson spent long stints studying abroad in Europe. Thoreau eventually worked as a handyman and caretaker of Emerson’s estate while Emerson spent long stints studying abroad in Europe.

19. The Walden Experiment From 1841 – 1843 Thoreau decided to conduct an experiment of self-sufficiency by building his own house on the shores of Walden Pond and living off the food he grew on his farm. From 1841 – 1843 Thoreau decided to conduct an experiment of self-sufficiency by building his own house on the shores of Walden Pond and living off the food he grew on his farm.

20. Fact from Fiction While reading excerpts of Walden it may seem Thoreau wrote his novel as a diary while being isolated in the woods, miles from civilization. While reading excerpts of Walden it may seem Thoreau wrote his novel as a diary while being isolated in the woods, miles from civilization. However… However… Thoreau often went to Concord to buy supplies. Thoreau often went to Concord to buy supplies. He wrote thirteen drafts of Walden before publishing it. He wrote thirteen drafts of Walden before publishing it. He often had friends visit him in the evenings. He often had friends visit him in the evenings. He house was built on Emerson’s property. He house was built on Emerson’s property.

21. Civil Disobedience Another work that was a result of Thoreau’s Walden Experiment was his essay Civil Disobedience. Another work that was a result of Thoreau’s Walden Experiment was his essay Civil Disobedience. Thoreau wrote the essay while spending the night in jail after refusing to pay a tax that would help fund slavery in the South. Thoreau wrote the essay while spending the night in jail after refusing to pay a tax that would help fund slavery in the South. Civil Disobedience has been a highly influential work that has inspired peaceful activists such as Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Disobedience has been a highly influential work that has inspired peaceful activists such as Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. Famous Quote: “If... the machine of government... is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.” Famous Quote: “If... the machine of government... is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.”

22. Thoreau’s Late Life and Death Though Thoreau never made a substantial living as a writer, his collection of writing consist of over twenty volumes. Though Thoreau never made a substantial living as a writer, his collection of writing consist of over twenty volumes. Thoreau’s only trip abroad was to Canada in 1861 where he had another lapse of Tuberculosis. Thoreau’s only trip abroad was to Canada in 1861 where he had another lapse of Tuberculosis. On May 6th, 1862 Thoreau died losing his fight to the disease. On May 6th, 1862 Thoreau died losing his fight to the disease. Emerson later published a collection of Thoreau’s poems in 1865. Emerson later published a collection of Thoreau’s poems in 1865.