English III Mr. Stanberry Romanticism /Transcendentalism

Romanticism Romanticism saw a shift from faith in reason to faith in the senses, feelings, and imagination; a shift from interest in urban society to an interest in the rural and natural; a shift from public, impersonal poetry to subjective poetry; and from concern with the scientific and mundane to interest in the mysterious and infinite. Mainly they cared about the individual, intuition, and imagination.

Ideas of Romanticism 1. Imagination and emotion are more important than reason and formal rules; imagination is a gateway to transcendent experience and truth. 2. Along the same lines, intuition and a reliance on “natural” feelings as a guide to conduct are valued over controlled, rationality. 3. Romantic literature tends to emphasize a love of nature, a respect for primitivism, and a valuing of the common, "natural" man; Romantics idealize country life and believe that many of the ills of society are a result of urbanization. 4. Romantics were interested in the Medieval past, the supernatural, the mystical, the “gothic,” and the exotic. 5. Romantics were attracted to rebellion and revolution, especially concerned with human rights, individualism, freedom from oppression. 6. There was emphasis on introspection, psychology, melancholy, and sadness. The art often dealt with death, transience and mankind’s feelings about these things. The artist was an extremely individualistic creator whose creative spirit was more important than strict adherence to formal rules and traditional procedures.

Journal Entry : Tell me a little about yourself. (Answer each question with school appropriate answers): What do you like to do in your spare time? What are you hobbies? What are you passionate about? What is your favorite movie? What is your favorite song? Name three of your favorite bands/artists.

Journal Entry: What is a materialist’s view of life? What is an idealist’s view of life? Would you consider yourself a materialist or an idealist? Why? Provide an example of a transcendentalist trait from Christopher McCandless in Chapter 1.

Journal Entry : Free write Friday. -In order to receive full credit for Free write Fridays, you must write a minimum of five sentences. -You are free to write about whatever topic you choose (school appropriate of course), but if you struggle to find a topic, just ask! -You are to write quietly for the first five minutes of class.

Journal Entry: What does it mean to be self-reliant? How does instinct/intuition play into becoming self- reliant?

Journal Entry : What is your favorite childhood memory about playing outside? How have your views/opinions about nature changed? Do you enjoy the outdoors the same/less/more than when you were younger?

Journal Entry : If you were to write a poem that celebrates life itself, what images would you choose and why? ****If you have yet to question the ways of the Transcendentalists, today is the day…****

Journal Entry : Based on what we have studied so far with Transcendentalism, what concepts/ideals coincide with McCandless’ ideology? And in opposition, which concepts do not.

Journal Entry : Free Write Friday!!! Write five sentences about whatever you choose. Once you finish, turn in all journal entries.

"Transcendentalism is an American literary, political, and philosophical movement of the the early nineteenth century, centered around Ralph Waldo Emerson." "They (transcendentalists) were critics of their contemporary society for its unthinking conformity, and urged that each person find, in Emerson's words, “an original relation to the universe." -Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy What is Transcendentalism?

What is Calvinism? John Calvin - God has rule over all things through scripture, God, humanity, salvation, and the church. Calvinistic Beliefs Trinity - Calvinists affirm and confess the traditional studies of the Trinity. - The Father, the son and the Holy Spirit. A break away from Calvinism Why Calvinism? John Calvin created Calvinism based on religious interpretation. He emphasized areas of "reformation."

Henry David Thoreau Margaret Fuller Amos Bronson Alcott Walt Whitman Other notable transcendentalists

Everything is a reflection of God. - People are basically "good." - People will still sin, but they will repent and do "good" the majority of the time. - People are designed to be close to God. - Nature, by design, is also close to God. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: God

Contemplating nature can allow you to transcend the real world and go to a higher, spiritual level. - People can get closer to God without church. - Nature is as close as you can get to God. - Society (the opposition of Nature) keeps people from achieving this higher spiritual level. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: Nature

A person's instinct (intuition) can lead them to understand the depth of God's spirit. - There is no social boundary. The ability to understand God is not limited based on social status. - Based on the notion that people are basically "good," instinct or intuition can help people know God. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: People

Individualism and self-reliance are better than following others or conforming to tradition. - People will make the right choices when given the chance. - The use of Government is not needed. - People should be urged to question authority and challenge society. - Materialism is not good. People should not be dependent of money or things. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: Tradition / Society

A person's true feelings and instincts are more valuable than book knowledge. - The "average" person can make this connection with God. - Social status and education becomes irrelevant. - People will be trusted to do and feel good things. The Beliefs of Transcendentalism: Knowledge / Understanding

5 core beliefs Everything is a reflection of God. Contemplating nature can allow you to transcend the real world and go to a higher, spiritual level. A person's instinct (intuition) can lead them to understand the depth of God's spirit. Individualism and self-reliance are better than following others or conforming to tradition. A person's true feelings and instincts are more valuable than book knowledge.