Power of Nature
English III- Hagburg
Guiding Question:
What is Transcendentalism?
Essential Questions:
What are the literary characteristics of Transcendentalism? What authors are
connected with the movement?
How are the Transcendentalist writings a reflection of the values of the time period?
How is one’s own personal style and voice expressed through writing?
How are the values of the Transcendentalist still found in our society today? Where
are these values reflected?
Unit Objectives:
To understand Transcendentalist writing as demonstrated by excerpts from Ralph Waldo
Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and John Krakauer
To understand main characteristics/principles of the Transcendentalist period as shown in
the above works.
To understand the major themes of Transcendentalism reflected in the above works.
To recognize how the values of the Transcendentalists can still be found in our world today
Background: As you have learned, the Romantics, especially the Transcendentalists, found
their spirituality in Nature. For them Nature was a place of "independence, straightforward
moral certainty, and health, "(11) a place where they found their divinity. The
Transcendentalists were Idealists who believed that "permanent spiritual reality…lay behind
transitory physical appearances"(184). Ralph Waldo Emerson professed that we can find a
"God directly in nature"(185) who is good.
Many today subscribe to that Romantic/Transcendentalist tradition. It is in Nature that they
find true spiritual Truth. Others may simply find their own peace and beauty in Nature
while they maintain their spirituality within the bounds of traditional religion. This unit is
designed for you to explore a few of the great writers and poets' visions of Nature.
Hopefully, you will be able to discover and define more clearly your own personal view and
relationship with the world of nature.
Tasks: There are two primary parts to this unit: in-class readings and out of class reading
of Into the Wild. You will write a total of ten (10) journals that reflect your learning,
impressions, thoughts, etc. on the in-class readings.
I.
In-class Readings: Each of the following poems or essays is an in-class
reading. However, if you are absent, it is your responsibility to make it up.
II.
Into the Wild: In addition to reading assigned chapters each night, you
will be assigned a chapter to “present” to the class. You should be
prepared to present your chapter the day it is due to be read.
Day 1: Intro to Transcendentalism
Work on poetry videos- due next class!
Day 2: Poetry Videos
Day 3: "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson (191) - journal required
“Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson (194)-collage
Back to the Wild- video
Day 4: Work on collages- “Self-Reliance”
Back to the Wild continued
HW: Read Into the Wild chapters 1-2
Day 5: “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau (207)- journal required
Chapter Presentations 1 and 2
HW: Read chapters 3-4
Day 6 : "The Rhodora" by Ralph Waldo Emerson (198)
"The Snow-Storm" by Ralph Waldo Emerson (200)
Chapter presentations for 3 and 4
Dead Poet’s Society continued
HW: Read chapters 5-6
Day 7:"On the Beach at Night" by Walt Whitman (343)
"On the Beach at Night Alone" by Walt Whitman (345)
"When I Heard the Learned Astronomer" by Walt Whitman (347)
Chapter presentations 5 and 6
HW: Read chapters 7 and 8
Day 8:"A Bird came down the Walk" by Emily Dickinson (358)
"Apparently with no surprise" by Emily Dickinson (368)
Chapter presentations 7 and 8
HW: Read chapters 9 and 10
Day 9: Chapter presentations 9 and 10
Dead Poet’s Society video
HW: Read chapters 11-12
Day 10: Chapter presentations 10-11
Continue Dead Poet’s Society
HW: Finish novel for next class!
Day 11: Chapter presentations 12-14
Discuss Dead Poet’s
Begin film
Review for test!
Transcendentalism/Into the Wild test next class!
Day 12: Transcendentalism/ Into the Wild Test!
Journals due!!
Journal Due Date: ______________________
Unit Test Date: __________________________