Transcendentalism “Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.” --Emerson

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism

““Trust thyself: Every heart Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.”vibrates to that iron string.”

--Emerson--Emerson


Refers to the idea that in determining Refers to the idea that in determining the ultimate reality of God, universe, the ultimate reality of God, universe, or self, one must TRANSCEND (go or self, one must TRANSCEND (go beyond) everyday human experiencebeyond) everyday human experience

– How do we achieve transcendence? How do we achieve transcendence? When we look to nature for the answersWhen we look to nature for the answers


Beliefs (tenets) of TranscendentalismBeliefs (tenets) of Transcendentalism– Everything in the world is a reflection of Everything in the world is a reflection of

the Divine Soul/Oversoul (GOD)the Divine Soul/Oversoul (GOD)– Nature is the doorway to the spiritual worldNature is the doorway to the spiritual world– Intuition can reveal God’s spirit in nature or Intuition can reveal God’s spirit in nature or

in selfin self– Self reliance and Individualism must be Self reliance and Individualism must be

more important than conformingmore important than conforming– Spontaneous feelings and intuition are Spontaneous feelings and intuition are

superior to intellect and rationalismsuperior to intellect and rationalism


American Transcendentalists based their American Transcendentalists based their beliefs off of several other philosophiesbeliefs off of several other philosophies– 1818thth century German philosophy Immanuel Kant century German philosophy Immanuel Kant

—first coined the term “Transcendental”—first coined the term “Transcendental”– Philosophical work of Plato, who believed in Philosophical work of Plato, who believed in

human perfectabilityhuman perfectability– Buddhist philosophyBuddhist philosophy– American Puritan TraditionAmerican Puritan Tradition– Romantic idealsRomantic ideals


Key characteristics Key characteristics – IntuitionIntuition– Optimism Optimism – God is good and God works through God is good and God works through

naturenature– Live a life of purpose for othersLive a life of purpose for others


Key CharacteristicsKey Characteristics– NationalismNationalism– Plain LivingPlain Living– Non Conformity and IndividualismNon Conformity and Individualism– Ideas and Dreams are important, more important Ideas and Dreams are important, more important

than reason and logicthan reason and logic

Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson

BackgroundBackground– Born in Boston to a cultured but poor familyBorn in Boston to a cultured but poor family

Educated at HarvardEducated at Harvard– Family expected Ralph to become a minister like seven generations of Family expected Ralph to become a minister like seven generations of

Emersons before himEmersons before him

– Worked as a minister, a public education reformer, and an abolitionistWorked as a minister, a public education reformer, and an abolitionist

– Found success as a lecturer—a new pulpitFound success as a lecturer—a new pulpit Created a grass roots movement among young, college educated Created a grass roots movement among young, college educated

Americans who were searching for a “higher truth”Americans who were searching for a “higher truth”

– Became the leader and guru of the “Transcendental Club” Became the leader and guru of the “Transcendental Club” which was a utopian group bent on changing the worldwhich was a utopian group bent on changing the world


““Nature”Nature” Literary DevicesLiterary Devices

– Paradox: the linking of seemingly contradictory elements in Paradox: the linking of seemingly contradictory elements in order to reveal some kind of truthorder to reveal some kind of truth Ex: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”—R&JEx: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”—R&J

– ““Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece.”Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece.”

– ““I am glad to the brink of fear.”I am glad to the brink of fear.”

– MetaphorMetaphor Nature is described as a “plantation[s] of God.” Nature is described as a “plantation[s] of God.”

– Plantation is a large, carefully planted farmPlantation is a large, carefully planted farm Nature or the Earth is Nature or the Earth is God’s farm, carefully planted with trees, etc. for each locationGod’s farm, carefully planted with trees, etc. for each location


Literary DevicesLiterary Devices– Personification: giving human characteristics, Personification: giving human characteristics,

thoughts or feelings to an object or animalthoughts or feelings to an object or animal In what ways does Emerson personify Nature?In what ways does Emerson personify Nature?

– Woods and fields “minister” to peopleWoods and fields “minister” to people

– Plants nod and wave to himPlants nod and wave to him

Why is it important for Emerson to personify nature?Why is it important for Emerson to personify nature?– All living things are part of the OversoulAll living things are part of the Oversoul

– A personal level of interaction with Nature promotes a higher A personal level of interaction with Nature promotes a higher level of thought—how am I connected to the world around me?level of thought—how am I connected to the world around me?


““Nature”Nature”– Theme: Nature’s beauty and tranquility allow people Theme: Nature’s beauty and tranquility allow people

to be more in tune with the Oversoulto be more in tune with the Oversoul Literary DevicesLiterary Devices

– Imagery: the use of language to evoke a picture or Imagery: the use of language to evoke a picture or concrete sensation of a person, place, thing or concrete sensation of a person, place, thing or experienceexperience What are some memorable images from “Nature”?What are some memorable images from “Nature”?

Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson“Self Reliance”“Self Reliance”

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions– ““We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that

divine idea which each of us represents.”divine idea which each of us represents.” Do you agree?Do you agree? Why or when might we be ashamed to truly be ourselves?Why or when might we be ashamed to truly be ourselves?

– ““Accept the place the divine Providence has found for you.”Accept the place the divine Providence has found for you.” What is the implication of this quotation? What must we do to What is the implication of this quotation? What must we do to

achieve greatness?achieve greatness?– ““Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood—is it so bad Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood—is it so bad

then to be misunderstood?...to be great is to be then to be misunderstood?...to be great is to be misunderstood…”misunderstood…” Do you agree? Why did Emerson choose the 7 individuals listed in Do you agree? Why did Emerson choose the 7 individuals listed in

the essay? Who might be considered great but misunderstood in our the essay? Who might be considered great but misunderstood in our time?time?


Literary DevicesLiterary Devices– Figure of speech: a word or phrase that describes one thing in Figure of speech: a word or phrase that describes one thing in

terms of another and is not meant to be taken literallyterms of another and is not meant to be taken literally figures of speech refers to numerous literary devices including simile, figures of speech refers to numerous literary devices including simile,

metaphor, personification, and symbolmetaphor, personification, and symbol– Example: She is a pain in the neck.Example: She is a pain in the neck.

What are some figures of speech in “Self What are some figures of speech in “Self Reliance”?Reliance”?

– Look for metaphors, symbols, personification, aphorisms, or allusionsLook for metaphors, symbols, personification, aphorisms, or allusions


– ““Envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide”Envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide” Comparing our desire to be exactly like others to stupidity and self harm (metaphor)Comparing our desire to be exactly like others to stupidity and self harm (metaphor)

– ““no kernel of nourishing corn”—no kernel of nourishing corn”— not literal corn; rather the idea that the work we do on our own and for our own not literal corn; rather the idea that the work we do on our own and for our own

fulfillment in some way feeds our souls more than the work we do because others expect fulfillment in some way feeds our souls more than the work we do because others expect us to do (metaphor)us to do (metaphor)

– ““Every heart vibrates to that Every heart vibrates to that iron stringiron string”” symbolizes that part of us that is unique and different which is satisfied when we follow symbolizes that part of us that is unique and different which is satisfied when we follow

our own intuition(symbolism and aphorism)our own intuition(symbolism and aphorism)

– ““he who would gather he who would gather immortal palmsimmortal palms”” not literal palm leaves; comparing palm leaves to success. If you want to find success, not literal palm leaves; comparing palm leaves to success. If you want to find success,

then you cannot be a conformistthen you cannot be a conformist

– ““For nonconformity the world whips you”For nonconformity the world whips you” the world as a slave master beating a slave…when you are different, the world harshly the world as a slave master beating a slave…when you are different, the world harshly

judges you (personification)judges you (personification)


– ““A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”– Consistency does not allow for progress or changeConsistency does not allow for progress or change– Hobgoblin is a frightening creatureHobgoblin is a frightening creature– A little mind is not open to new ideasA little mind is not open to new ideas– What does it mean?What does it mean?

A little mind accepts the status quo at the expense of A little mind accepts the status quo at the expense of progress (metaphor)progress (metaphor)

– Shadow on the wallShadow on the wall represents emptiness we feel when we don’t think for ourselves and just accept the status quo represents emptiness we feel when we don’t think for ourselves and just accept the status quo

(metaphor)(metaphor)

– ““Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus…”Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus…” All historical figures who were advanced thinkers for their times and who faced severe All historical figures who were advanced thinkers for their times and who faced severe

consequences for their radical ideasconsequences for their radical ideas

– Theme: Only in non-conformity do people Theme: Only in non-conformity do people become fully humanbecome fully human

Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau1817-18621817-1862

Background InfoBackground Info– Born in Concord, Mass.Born in Concord, Mass.

Longtime friend of family/mentor to Thoreau: EMERSONLongtime friend of family/mentor to Thoreau: EMERSON Graduated from Harvard in 1837Graduated from Harvard in 1837

– First introduction to English literature, Romanticism, and German First introduction to English literature, Romanticism, and German Transcendental PhilosophyTranscendental Philosophy

Attempted career as a teacher from 1837-1843Attempted career as a teacher from 1837-1843– Felt unfulfilled and directionless Felt unfulfilled and directionless

– Began experiment at Walden Pond in 1845Began experiment at Walden Pond in 1845 Emerson’s land and ideaEmerson’s land and idea

– Attempt to rediscover the heroism of simple lifeAttempt to rediscover the heroism of simple life– 2 ½ years lived alone off the land2 ½ years lived alone off the land

– Published Published WaldenWalden in 1854—had no intention of writing a in 1854—had no intention of writing a book. Wrote book. Wrote Walden Walden to answer the numerous questions of to answer the numerous questions of othersothers

Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau

WaldenWalden, or , or Life in the WoodsLife in the Woods– Theme: Behind its outward appearance, Nature Theme: Behind its outward appearance, Nature

contains a spiritual realitycontains a spiritual reality Nature speaks fundamental truths, but we are too busy Nature speaks fundamental truths, but we are too busy

with our modern lives to notice and learn from themwith our modern lives to notice and learn from them In order to hear the messages that Nature has to teach us, In order to hear the messages that Nature has to teach us,

we must SIMPLIFY our existencewe must SIMPLIFY our existence– Is Thoreau advocating that seclusion from society is for Is Thoreau advocating that seclusion from society is for

everyone?everyone?


From From “Civil Disobedience”“Civil Disobedience” Theme: the dangers of majority rule; Theme: the dangers of majority rule;

individual citizens have a responsibility to individual citizens have a responsibility to follow their moral convictions and to follow their moral convictions and to withdraw support from institutions (even withdraw support from institutions (even gov’ts) that are involved in immoral actiongov’ts) that are involved in immoral action– Background: Thoreau refused to pay the poll Background: Thoreau refused to pay the poll

tax as a form of resistance to the unjust tax as a form of resistance to the unjust institution of slavery; jailed for one night (aunt institution of slavery; jailed for one night (aunt paid the next day)paid the next day)


Evidence of Romanticism/Transcendentalism Evidence of Romanticism/Transcendentalism in Thoreau’s workin Thoreau’s work– Stress on the integrity of the individualStress on the integrity of the individual– Non-conformity: “If a man does not keep pace with Non-conformity: “If a man does not keep pace with

his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.”different drummer.”

– Spiritual answers can be found in Nature: “I went to Spiritual answers can be found in Nature: “I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately..”the woods because I wanted to live deliberately..”

– Conscience as a higher imperative than the rules of Conscience as a higher imperative than the rules of the statethe state

– Description of ideal gov’t in “Resistance…”Description of ideal gov’t in “Resistance…”

Documents

Transcendentalism “Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.” --Emerson