{ Transcendentalism

Turn to p. 384

WARM UP: Complete the Transcendentalism Preview Handout All phones/headphones put away. Do this INDIVIDUALLY and QUIETLY.

 Belief in a higher kind of knowledge than can be achieved by human reason  A loose collection of eclectic ideas about literature, philosophy, religion, social reform, and the general state of American culture.  Transcendentalism had different meanings for each person involved in the movement. What does “transcendentalism” mean?

“From , literature in America experienced a rebirth called 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 than that of European authors. Transcendentalism was a part of this “flowering” of American literature. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were important voices in this philosophical movement that sought to have individuals “transcend” to a higher spiritual level. To achieve this goal, the individual had to seek spiritual, not material, greatness and the essential truths of life through intuition. Emerson was the philosopher and teacher. Thoreau was the student and the practitioner.” “From , literature in America experienced a rebirth called 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 than that of European authors. Transcendentalism was a part of this “flowering” of American literature. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were important voices in this philosophical movement that sought to have individuals “transcend” to a higher spiritual level. To achieve this goal, the individual had to seek spiritual, not material, greatness and the essential truths of life through intuition. Emerson was the philosopher and teacher. Thoreau was the student and the practitioner.” -Web of American Transcendentalism. Web of American TranscendentalismWeb of American Transcendentalism

Basic Premise #1 OVERSOUL  Man, universe and nature are intertwined.  All three share the same soul.  A universal spirit to which all things return after death  Proposed by Emerson

Basic Premise #2 OPTIMISTIC  All is good  Evil is an illusion

Basic Premise #3 INDIVIDUALISM Non-conformity Non-conformity Free thought Free thought Self-reliance Self-reliance Be true to one’s own inner perception or intuition Be true to one’s own inner perception or intuition Unlimited potential of each individual (confidence) Unlimited potential of each individual (confidence)

Basic Premise #4 NATURE IS TRUTH.  It can be a guide to higher understanding.  Symbolizes God or the inner life of human beings

 Ralph Waldo Emerson gave German philosopher Immanuel Kant credit for popularizing the term “transcendentalism.” (1700s)  It began as a reform movement in the Unitarian church (encourages people to find their own spirituality)  It is not a religion—more accurately, it is a philosophy or form of spirituality.  It centered around Boston and Concord, MA. in the mid-1800’s.  Emerson first expressed his philosophy of transcendentalism in his essay Nature. Where did it come from?

 Russian philosopher influential in Germany  Believed everything is acquired through experience but reason plays a major role Who was Immanuel Kant?

 Emerson and the Transcendentalists led the search for truth  In nature  Through self-reliance  Transcendentalism began with a few and grew  This philosophy lasted for several years in New England  Ended as the Civil War began Development in the US

 Puritanism  Belief in God as a powerful force  Belief that each individual can experience God first-hand  Romanticism  Placed central importance on emotions and the individual  Emphasized intuition and inner perception of truth that differs from reason  Emphasized nature’s beauty, strangeness, and mystery  Emphasized individual expression and artistic freedom Roots of Transcendentalism

Who were the Transcendentalists?

Ralph Waldo Emerson   Unitarian minister- resigned after 3 years  Poet and essayist  Founded the Transcendental Club  Popular lecturer  Banned from Harvard for 40 years following his Divinity School address  Supporter of abolitionism  Wrote Nature and Self-Reliance

Henry David Thoreau   Schoolteacher, essayist, poet  Most famous for Walden and Civil Disobedience  Influenced environmental movement  Supporter of abolitionism

Margaret Fuller   Journalist, critic, women’s rights activist  First editor of The Dial, a transcendental journal  First female journalist to work on a major newspaper—The New York Tribune  Taught at Alcott’s Temple School

1. Non-Conformity 2. Self-Reliance 3. Free Thought 4. Confidence 5. Importance of Nature Review

Elements and Connections Elements and Connections

 Write your name on your PRINTED song lyrics  Label Transcendental elements  On the paper answer the following questions:  Why did you choose this song as a reflection of Transcendental thought?  What do you think Transcendental thinkers (i.e. Emerson & Thoreau) would think about this song and its message ? Warm Up

{ Read Emerson Biography p. 388 Nature- p. 390 Answer Questions

 With a partner or alone, divide “Nature” into 4 parts and represent those parts of the text visually in 4 boxes.  Write how you divided the text in each box  From “ text” to “text”  Summarize each section in a sentence or more on the front or back of your drawing Assignment

{ Read Self Reliance p. 393 Paraphrase in 1 or 2 sentences. Write down your favorite line.

 American Transcendental Web: ndex.html ndex.html ndex.html  American Transcendentalism: tm tm tm  PAL: Chapter Four 4/4intro.html 4/4intro.html 4/4intro.htmlResources

Complete the Simplify, Simplify, Simplify handout Thoreau's Walden Bio on p. 404 Thoreau's Walden Thoreau's Walden

 Read p. 404 Who was Henry David Thoreau?

Watch WALDEN Summary

Pathway around WALDEN POND in Concord, MA

Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond

 Turn to p. 407  In your group of 2 or 3, read the section of Walden assigned.  What are the major points made? Are there words, phrases, sentences or images that stand out? If there is a metaphor, simile or symbol used- explain what it really means!  What elements of transcendentalism are represented?  Decide on a way to teach your section to the class (image, bullet points, paragraph, acting out, rap, chart, etc.) and paraphrase/draw on the paper provided.  We will come back together as a class to present section and combine all notes. Walden Honors Assignment:

 Michael Scott: Survivor Man Michael Scott: Survivor Man Michael Scott: Survivor Man  What did Michael Scott hope to achieve by going out to the wilderness?  How does this compare to Thoreau’s choice to live on Walden Pond and his motivation?

 “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them…” (Thoreau 412).  “Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? Walden Quotable Moments

 The deliberate and public refusal to obey laws that violate one’s personal principles  Thoreau believed the government was an impediment to the productivity and achievements of the American people  Do you agree?  How can you have your voices heard in government? What is civil disobedience?

{ Read Thoreau’s excerpt from Civil Disobedience p. 416 Watch CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE Summary Watch CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE Summary

 Ron Swanson on WHY GOVERNMENT MATTERS Ron Swanson on WHY GOVERNMENT MATTERS Ron Swanson on WHY GOVERNMENT MATTERS  More Swanson More Swanson More Swanson  How does the following clip compare to Thoreau’s claims about government?

 What is Thoreau’s claim, warrant and impact?  What motto does Thoreau accept?  How would he like to see that motto implemented?  How does Thoreau define the best possible kind of government? After Reading

 Where have we seen examples of protest in the past quarter?  Do you believe Thoreau’s “protest” is valid and impactful? Reflect on PROTEST lesson

 Choose a quote from any of the Transcendental essays we have read and create a “PIN” including the quote, an image, and the citation (essay name, author).  On the back, explain why you chose this quote and what it means.  Choose from: “Nature,” “Self- Reliance,” “Walden,” “Civil Disobedience” Summation of Transcendentalism