1. Transcendentalism
“It’s not what you look at that matters. It’s what you see.”
- Henry David Thoreau

2. Transcendentalism
Most influential American literary and philosophical movement
A subset of the Romantic philosophy
Lasted about 10 years and produced two major works: Emerson’s Nature (1836) and Thoreau’s Walden (1854)
A very small group of writers and artists living in the Boston area (Concord, MA)
Still a major part of American culture!

3. Two Prominent Figures Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau Public
Spiritual
Optimistic
Metaphors of Nature
The voice and teachings
Private
Skeptical
Practical
Metaphors of machines
The action

4. Characteristics of Transcendentalism
Belief that everyone is inherently good
The individual is the center of the universe (radical for this time)
Small, informal, intellectually driven spiritualism

5. The forces behind Transcendentalism…
Advances in technology
Industrialism
Commerce
Materialism
Rapid growth (i.e. land and population expansion)
Societal expectations

6. According to Emerson, the human mind is so powerful it can unlock any mystery, from the intricacies of nature to the wonder of God.

7. Photography Assignment
Emerson believed nature mirrored human emotions; using a digital camera, take 3 photographs of nature that each express a human emotion (i.e. serenity, loneliness, turmoil, happiness)
Layout your photos in a PowerPoint presentation, including the emotion and a brief explanation of its emotional representation (1-2 sentences)
Photos MUST be taken between now and the assigned due date
presentation to me by Thursday (before school), 2/06/14
Photo presentations begin Thursday, 2/06/14!
*** Original photos ONLY.

8. “The Power of One” Small Group Discussion
Directions: In your small groups, discuss and write down your group responses to the following questions. Provide specific examples to support your opinions.
How much power do formal institutions have in our society?
In what ways do individuals make a difference in our society?
Should individuals have more power than they do? Explain.

9. Nature Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson expresses his belief that the meaning of existence can be found by exploring the natural world.
He describes how, through his exploration of the nature, he has discovered that he is spiritually connected with the universe, with God, and with every living thing.
***Think of an experience you’ve had with nature—what did you think or feel while a part of nature? Be prepared to discuss!

10. “Self-Reliance” -Emerson
Emerson urges readers to avoid blindly conforming to the ideas and behavior dictated by society or peers.
He encourages people to think and act independently, urging each person to “trust thyself”
“There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion…” (369).

11. Walden -Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau lived in solitude for two years at Walden Pond (Concord, MA) and chronicled his experience
Walden is part personal declaration of independence, social experiment, voyage of spiritual discovery, satire, and manual for self-reliance
Walden uses passages of four seasons to symbolize human development.
“I have never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude.” HDT