Transcendentalists (followers of the movement) generally had a collection of very diverse ideas about literature, philosophy, religion, social reform, and the general state of American culture.
Being a transcendentalist meant something different and unique for each person involved in the movement.
What did Transcendentalists Believe?
What did Transcendentalists believe?
Belief in the “Self” instead of looking for a higher power for guidance, such as God or the church
Humans are essentially good Insight/Intuition (what you naturally
believe) is more powerful and important than experience or logical thinking and reason
All living things are connected-Nature is an escape from the evils and materialism of society
Basic Beliefs
Self-Reliance/Self-Confidence
Non-conformity/Rejection of the materialistic
Importance of Nature Free Thought –Intuitive
Where did it come from? Ralph Waldo Emerson (a famous
transcendentalist) gave German philosopher Immanuel Kant credit for popularizing the term “transcendentalism in the 1700s”
It began as a reform movement in the Unitarian church.
1830s - Emerson helped found the “Transcendental Club”
It is not a religion-, it is a philosophy or form of spirituality.
Historical Background American Revolution inspired many artists to
create an “American Identity” that was separate from England.
Reaction against some of the other movements of the time (Enlightenment, Age of Reason)
Many aspects of “American” culture were changing Ex. Politics
Industrialism=Expansion Technological Advances
Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 Unitarian minister Poet and essayist, and
popular lecturer Wrote essay, Nature and
Self-Reliance Founded the
Transcendental Club in 1836-popularized the belief
Considered the “Father” of Transcendentalism
Supporter of abolitionism
Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 Schoolteacher, essayist,
poet Most famous for Walden
and Civil Disobedience Lived with the Emerson
family from 1841-1843 Influenced environmental
movement-Environmentalist
Supporter of abolitionism
Margaret Fuller 1810-1850 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
Discussion Questions How are you affected by nature? Do you find comfort in it? Do
you reflect the moods of nature? What is the role of nature in your life? What is meant by an individual's spiritual side? How to you
define it? Is there a connection between the individual's spirit and
nature? If so, what is that connection? What does it mean to know something intuitively? For
example, has a parent or a sibling ever known something was wrong with you without having talked with or seen you? What do we mean when we say "I just know it"?
How do you demonstrate that you are an individual? Do you think independently of others or do you follow the crowd?
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