11AP Transcendentalism Unit
Overview:
We are currently reading excerpts from the Transcendentalist authors Emerson and
Thoreau and learning about the literary and social movement known as
Transcendentalism. The purpose of the assignment below is for you to have an
understanding of what Transcendentalism is, how the ideas continue to resonate in
American society today, and to compare your views to those of Transcendentalist writers.
Requirements:
You will put the information together in a booklet with an attractive cover.
Your responses will be detailed, well written, and grammatically correct.
All pages will be typed. All sources will be included in a works cited page. Project is
worth 100 points.
Contents:
1. In your own words, given an overview of Transcendentalism as a literary and social
movement. DO NOT plagiarize from the internet! This is asking you to sum up what
you have learned about Transcendentalism in your own words. SUBMIT THIS
PART OF YOUR PROJECT TO TURNITIN.COM.
2. One quote/explanation page from Emerson’s writing (use the excerpts we read in
class.
3. One quote/explanation page from Thoreau’s writing (class excerpts).
4. ONE drawing, photo (must be your OWN photo, not something printed from the
internet), collage, or other visual responses to the ideas of the Transcendentalist
authors. Include with this a short explanation of how the visual connects to the ideas
of Transcendentalism.
OR
One creative writing response. It could be a poem, short story, or description of an
experience with nature and a reflection on what it meant to you.
5. One modern day example of Transcendentalism with explanation. Print a song lyric
or poem, or reference a movie or book. Explain how the idea relates to the ideas of
the Transcendentalists.
(See back for sample quote/explanation page.)
Sample quote/explanation page.
Directions:
A. Select a quote that you feel shows an important idea in Transcendentalism. Copy
the quote.
B. Explain what the quote means in your own words. (minimum of 5 sentences)
C. Respond to the quote. That is, explain if you agree or disagree with it. Make a
personal connection to your own life. (minimum of 5 sentences)
“The simple perception of forms is a delight. The influence of the forms and actions
in nature, is so needful to man, that, in its lowest functions, it seems to lie on the
confines of commodity and beauty. To the body and mind which have been cramped
by noxious work or company, nature is medicinal and restores their tone. The
tradesman, the attorney comes out of the din and craft of the street and sees the sky
and the woods, and is a man again. In their eternal calm, he finds himself. The health
of the eye seems to demand a horizon.” Emerson, Nature, Chapter III. Beauty
Emerson is writing about the importance of experiencing nature. People
everywhere find this a true pleasure and inspiration. For people who are suffering from
tedious work or annoying company, nature can help restore them to their true self. This
is true for all people, no matter what their background. There is something inside us that
craves an open landscape.
I strongly agree with Emerson’s idea about the importance of nature. I love
walking through open space; no matter how burning and parched or how cold and muddy
it may be, I still enjoy it. I moved to my home in West Hills in the San Fernando Valley
about six years ago, and to my delight I discovered that there are large expanses of open
space near my house (the area was supposed to be developed but after many court battles
by local environmentalists the developer eventually gave up and donated the land to a
public trust). I remember going for a walk in the hills several springs ago with my
husband. My husband’s mother had recently passed away and my husband felt a great
well of sadness inside. He questioned the purpose of our short lives, our rush of
activities, our fleeting accomplishments – what did it all mean anyway? Still, the area we
walked through was beautiful. Hills in many shades of browns and grays, a riot of green
from the winter rains growing out of recently burned land, and the expanse of sharp blue
sky. The land itself was soothing and seemed to suggest a larger meaning or purpose.
He may not know the answers to monumental questions of the significance of a life, but
he took comfort in the ever changing beauty of the landscape.