Part #2 - Transcendentalism RISE OF THE INDIVIDUAL Part #2 - Transcendentalism

American Romanticism Reviewed Romanticism is an artistic and literary movement in America which originated in direct response to rise rise of science, technology, and industry in America. Romantics no longer conformed to the strict religious beliefs of Puritan America; they did not reject God, but instead chose the pursue other explanations. Basic tenets of Romanticism: imagination one should be creative, and experiment with science Intuition one should follow instincts over logic and reasoning Idealism one should be realize the opportunity presented in the changing society of America Inspiration one should explore nature and the vast frontier Individuality one should celebrate the self, that is the unique beliefs and values of each individual as society grows more diverse

What did Romantics write about? Themes Beauty Romantics pursued “pure beauty” in nature and the self; therefore, the wrote about the wonder of nature and man’s abuse of it, innocence of youth, and how it is corrupted. Non-Normal Romantics explored non-traditional beliefs by writing about the supernatural, ancient folklore, and anything that might be viewed as odd, gross, and scary. Escapism Romantics were on a quest to escape the colonized and industrialized America and frequently wrote about the frontier and unexplored lands outside the colonies. Nature Romantics were interested in the mystery of nature and used nature as an escape, as a source of knowledge, and as a revelation of god to man in their writing.

What is Transcendentalism? Transcendentalism is another Literary tradition, like Romanticism, spawned by the change in America and a perceived need to rebel against “unthinking conformity.” In 1836, Ralph Waldo Emerson, formed the Transcendental Club with a group of intellectuals (Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller) and began publishing poems, essays, lectures, etc. highlighting their beliefs. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s original idea was an optimistic belief that, "We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds...A nation of men will for the first time exist, because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men."

Beliefs of the Transcendentalist. An individual is the spiritual center of the universe, spirituality comes from inside the individual, “the self.” The structure of the universe literally duplicates the structure of the individual self - all knowledge, therefore, begins with self-knowledge. Nature is a living mystery. It is full of signs. It is symbolic. The belief that individual virtue and happiness depend upon self-realization, upon an individuals ability reconcile the desire to become one with the world (self-transcending tendency) and to remain unique and separate from the world (self-asserting tendency)

Basic Tenets of the Transcendentalist. Transcendentalist “transcend” the rational, animalistic impulses of life in order to move to a spiritual realm or as Emerson put it, “to find an original relation to the universe.” All basic tenets stem from this core belief. Oversoul The human soul is part of a universal spirit, or life force, which we return to when we die. This life force is found in everything, therefore everything is a miracle. Afterlife Death should never be feared because at death the soul merely returns to the “oversoul.” Instead we should focus on the here and now. Thinking Humans are good; if they do immoral acts it is simply because they did not think or are ignorant. Power and truth come from intuition. Unity One must realize the unity of life and the universe because all things are related. Reform Reform must not be emphasized, true reform comes from within.

Becoming a Transcendentalist. Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer and the film adaptation by Sean Penn, are modern examples of Transcendentalism. Krakauer retells the real life story of Christopher McCandless and his quest to find his original relation to the universe by abandoning the familiar things in his life, and most of his possessions, living in seclusion in the Alaskan wilderness. While watching the film adaptation of this true story, answer the film guide questions. They are designed to get you thinking like a Transcendentalist.