Transcendentalism WebQuest
Your number one rule with this web quest is that you absolutely may not simply copy/paste answers
from the website into the word document. Copying and pasting is plagiarism, therefore, if you do this
on any question it will result in an automatic zero for this assignment.
Directions:
1. Read the questions in each step (so you know what to look for), read the information on the website,
and then type the information you learn in your own words.
2. When you have finished answering each question, print only the pages with your answers. In other
words, DO NOT PRINT THIS FIRST PAGE! We do not need to waste paper. (See image below)
3. When you receive your documents from the printer, make sure you are taking your pages only. Also,
make sure your name is on your paper. If you didn’t type your name before printing, just hand write it;
do not print again.
***If you have any questions, especially regarding the computer/printer, PLEASE ask!
Name ____________________________________
Transcendentalism Web Quest
40 points
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no
doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
STEP ONE: Gain a basic understanding of Transcendentalism: Use the links provided to assist you.
http://womenshistory.about.com/bltranscend.htm?once=true&What is Transcendentalism?
http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/amtrans.htm
1. What authors are associated with this movement?
2. What century did this movement take place in?
http://www.transcendentalists.com/
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/transcendentalism/
1. What is Transcendentalism? Define in your own words.
2. Most movements in America come about as a reaction to the status quo. What was the atmosphere in
America prior to the time of the Transcendentalists? What were the Transcendentalists reacting to?
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/ideas/club.html
3. What was the Transcendentalist club?
4. How/why/where did it develop?
5. How difficult was it to become a member of this club?
6. Who called the first-ever meeting of this club?
STEP TWO: Explore several figures from the Transcendentalist movement.
Write 5 to 6 sentences in regards to what you learned about each author. Take your time reading each of the
web pages before writing your summary; we will be reading literature from these four authors in class.
7. Ralph Waldo Emerson: http://www.age-of-thesage.org/transcendentalism/emerson/ralph_waldo_emerson.html
8. Henry David Thoreau: http://transcendentalism-legacy.tamu.edu/authors/thoreau/
9. Walt Whitman: http://transcendentalism-legacy.tamu.edu/roots/legacy/whitman/
10. Emily Dickinson: http://transcendentalism-legacy.tamu.edu/roots/legacy/dickinson/
Step 3: Transcendental Art
11. Your mission is to find a piece of artwork (painting/photography/etc) that represents Transcendentalism
in some way. You may find this link helpful: http://desmondfishlibrary.org/DFL_Painters/Index.html
Copy/paste the artwork into this document and explain in at least 4 sentences how this art represents
Transcendentalism.