TranscendentalismEmbrace Your Transparent Eyeball

What Is The Appeal of Nature?

I. Origin of MovementA. Rejection of intellectualism at growing American

academic institutions such as HarvardB. Response to Industrial Revolution wherein men were

replaced by machinesC. Not an entirely new literary era – merely an extension

of RomanticismD. Brief in existence: 1836-1850

Puritans1630-1740

Age of Reason1740-1810

Romanticism1810-1861

Transcendentalism1836-1850

Realism1861-1930’s

Timeline of Literary Eras

(so far)

E. Extension of Romanticism (cont.)

Romanticism Exploration of nature’s

wonder and awe Imagination helps man

understand the mysterious and unknown

Man is good, but has an inclination to be perverse

Transcendentalism Exploration of nature’s

wonder and awe Imagination helps man

to better understand his place in nature

Man is good, but can only be good when free from society

II. Principles of Transcendentalism

A. Importance of Individuality1. It is a great evil to violate your own nature2. “Imitation is suicide” – Emerson

II. Principles (cont.)B. Wonder of Nature

1. Nature is a “symbol of spirit.” 2. In nature are found both God and self 3. At death we become just another part of nature.

“Nature is made to conspire with spirit to emancipate us.”

II. Principles (cont.)C. Emphasis on Imagination

1. Human imagination helps one transcend his worldly being2. This is best accomplished in nature

III. Transcendental Literature

A. Ralph Waldo Emerson1. “Nature” essay is often viewed as birth of

Transcendentalism2. “Self Reliance” essay emphasizes importance of

individuality

B. Henry David Thoreau1. Walden considered one of America’s most important

literary works.2. Lived in woods at Walden Pond in MA for two years in a

cabin he built himself to reflect on nature and society

Was Huck a Transcendentalist?

Discussion Question