Honors American Literature
Study Guide for Transcendentalism
Know the key ideas from all of the readings: Nature, “American Scholar,” “SelfReliance,” and Walden
Critical Questions from each reading
Blue Sheet for Nature and “Self-Reliance”
Study powerpoint notes: American Renaissance, Flowering of New England, Emerson,
Thoreau
Key Concepts: Know definitions and/or how they apply to reading/time period
Transcendentalism
Over-soul
Renaissance
Lyceum and its role/function in society
Technological and societal effects on Amer. values
Education reform
Women’s rights and the paradox of women’s education
What is found in nature?
Great influences on American Scholar (2)
Originality as it pertains to scholar
Duties of the scholar
“Man thinking” vs. “thinking man”
Problems with books and how it relates to the old oracle saying
Conformist and Non-conformist in Emerson’s terms
Why Thoreau went to Walden Pond, what he hoped to learn, how he hoped to live
Thoreau’s opinions on the fisherman and why
“Bug and table” analogy---active soul
Advantages of poverty
Why he left Walden Pond
Civil Disobedience meaning
Difference between Emerson and Thoreau
Quotes: There are approximately 15 quotes that contain a missing word.
From Nature

“In the tranquil landscape…”
“American Scholar”

To “Know thyself” is to …

“The next great influence into the spirit…”
Self-Reliance

“Trust thyself;…”

“Whoso would be man…”

“A foolish consistency…”

“Society everywhere is in conspiracy…”

“To be great…”
Walden

“Our life is frittered away…”

“We do not ride upon…”

“It is remarkable how easily and insensibly…”

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment…”

“If man does not keep pace…”

“If you have built castles in the air…”

“If I were confined to a corner of a garret…”