Transcendentalism English III.

American Transcendentalism Transcendental Club in Boston in1836.Transcendental Club in Boston in1836. LeadersLeaders Essayist Ralph Waldo EmersonEssayist Ralph Waldo Emerson Feminist and social reformer, Margaret Fuller,Feminist and social reformer, Margaret Fuller, Educator Bronson AlcottEducator Bronson Alcott The author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau.The author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau.

What is Transcendentalism? Proposes a belief in a higher reality than that found in sense experience or in a higher kind of knowledge than that achieved by human reason.Proposes a belief in a higher reality than that found in sense experience or in a higher kind of knowledge than that achieved by human reason.

Principals of Transcendentalism Intuition, rather than reason, was regarded as the highest human facultyIntuition, rather than reason, was regarded as the highest human faculty The focus was on the individual.The focus was on the individual. Looking to simplicity in one’s life as a path to spiritual greatness.Looking to simplicity in one’s life as a path to spiritual greatness. Opposed the reigning materialism and widespread conformity of American culture.Opposed the reigning materialism and widespread conformity of American culture. Looked to nature as a source of truth and inspiration.Looked to nature as a source of truth and inspiration. Stressed non-conformity, emphasizing individuality and self-reliance.Stressed non-conformity, emphasizing individuality and self-reliance.

Connection to Deism Deists held that a certain kind of religious knowledge is either inherent in each person or accessible through the exercise of reason.Deists held that a certain kind of religious knowledge is either inherent in each person or accessible through the exercise of reason.

Transcendentalism Vs. Puritian Thoughts Transcendentalism rejected of the strict Puritan religious attitudes.Transcendentalism rejected of the strict Puritan religious attitudes. Puritan religion was the heritage of New England, where the movement originated.Puritan religion was the heritage of New England, where the movement originated. Unlike the Puritans, the Transcendentalists saw humans and nature as possessing and innate goodness.Unlike the Puritans, the Transcendentalists saw humans and nature as possessing and innate goodness. Transcendentalism opposes the strict ritualism and dogmatic theology of all established religious institutions.Transcendentalism opposes the strict ritualism and dogmatic theology of all established religious institutions.

Romanticism Transcendentalists were influenced by romanticism.Transcendentalists were influenced by romanticism. Self-examinationSelf-examination Celebration of individualism, and the extolling of the beauties of nature and humankind.Celebration of individualism, and the extolling of the beauties of nature and humankind. Transcendentalist writers expressed semi religious feelings toward nature and saw a direct connection between the universe and the individual soul.Transcendentalist writers expressed semi religious feelings toward nature and saw a direct connection between the universe and the individual soul. In this view, divinity permeated all objects, animate or inanimate, and the purpose of human life was union with the so-called Oversoul. The Oversoul can be viewed as a convergence of the individual, God and Nature.In this view, divinity permeated all objects, animate or inanimate, and the purpose of human life was union with the so-called Oversoul. The Oversoul can be viewed as a convergence of the individual, God and Nature.

Transcendentalist Writers Transcendentalist writers expressedTranscendentalist writers expressed semi religious feelings toward naturesemi religious feelings toward nature saw a direct connection between the universe and the individual soul.saw a direct connection between the universe and the individual soul. Divinity permeated all objects, animate or inanimate.Divinity permeated all objects, animate or inanimate. Human life’s purpose wasHuman life’s purpose was union with the so-called Oversoul. The Oversoul can be viewed as a convergence of the individual, God and Nature. The Oversoul can be viewed as a convergence of the individual, God and Nature.

Transcendentalists Authors Emerson’s essays “Nature” (1936) and “Self- Reliance” (1841)Emerson’s essays “Nature” (1936) and “Self- Reliance” (1841) Thoreau’s Walden, or Life in the Woods (1854). Thoreau’s essay, “Civil Disobedience” expressed transcendental attitudes as well.Thoreau’s Walden, or Life in the Woods (1854). Thoreau’s essay, “Civil Disobedience” expressed transcendental attitudes as well. Thoreau urges passive, non-violent resistance to governmental policies that an individual opposes on moral grounds.Thoreau urges passive, non-violent resistance to governmental policies that an individual opposes on moral grounds.