1. Transcendentalism

2. Some background...  New England Renaissance (1840- 1855)  Literary outpouring based mainly in the New England states.  Writing is distinctly “American” (Irving and Cooper too “European”; Poe not yet respected).

3. NNNNew England Renaissance (cont’d) IIIIncreasing interest in utopia – “perfect community” OOOOptimism of period led to Transcendentalist movement.

4. What is Transcendentalism? HHHHard to define KKKKant says: based on understanding through intuition. SSSSome basic ideas: TTTThe “Over-Soul” – Divinity of human nature and omnipresence of God. RRRReverence for nature - humanity is reflected in it. SSSSimplicity and self- reliance

5. “Over-Soul”  For my ally is the Force. And a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. The force surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you. Here, between you, me, the tree, the rock...everywhere! Even between the land and the ship."

6. SSSSome basic ideas (cont’d) TTTTruth - based on individual rather than established rules. (“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” – Emerson) CCCCivil disobedience

7. Civil Disobedience  Passive, non-violent resistance to governmental policies to which an individual is morally opposed.  Influenced individuals such a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, and Cesar Chavez slide borrowed from Jamea Yaeger, Santana High School

9. Some Key Players...  Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)  essayist, poet, Unitarian minister (for a time), orator, and philosopher  called for “intellectual Declaration of Independence”.  Nature (1836): considered the first full expression of Transcendentalism.

10. Some Key Players…(cont’d)  Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)  Somewhat of a protégé of Emerson.  Quit job as teacher because he objected to corporal punishment.  Refused to pay taxes in protest of the Mexican War.

11.  Henry David Thoreau (cont’d)  Walden - Based on experiences living alone at Walden Pond for two years.  Whereas Emerson established many tenets of Transcendentalism, Thoreau tested them.