Transcendentalism
Jake Goodman
Keegan Thorpe
2nd Period
Transcendentalism
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1800-1860
6 elements:
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Reverence for nature
Individualism
Anti-rational/mysticism
Anti-material
Over-soul
Criticism of civilization and technology
Misc. Facts About This Era
• Some of the issues that arose during this period were
the rise of industrialization, slavery, and the Civil War.
• The ‘Star Spangled Banner’ was written in this time
period.
• Examples of clothing from this era:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C034gk4R5tI
Types of Literature
• Essays- Famous transcendentalists such
as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo
Emerson conveyed their ideas on things
like individualism and an Over-soul in
essays. Their essays were beautifully
written and are still quoted to this day.
Types of Literature
• Poems- Some great poets from this
period include Walt Whitman and Emily
Dickinson. Dickinson wrote poems about
loneliness and isolation. Whitman wrote
more about America and its diversity.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
• Born on May 25 in Boston, Massachusetts
• His early life was marked by poverty and sickness – two of his
brothers died and one was in a mental institution
• In 1817, Emerson entered Harvard and graduated by 1821
• Became a pastor in 1829
• Suffered from lung disease and temporary blindness
• 1st wife passed away in 1831 and 1st son passed away in 1842
• Emerson began to question his faith and resigned as pastor
• He briefly traveled to Europe and returned in 1833
• When Ralph returned, he began the Transcendentalist movement
• He gave two main lectures at Harvard (1833 & 1842)
• Main philosophies = optimism and individualism
Ralph Waldo Emerson (con’t.)
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Emerson belonged to the group known as “wisdom literature” along with
Confucius, Francis Bacon, and Marcus Aurelis
First book – Nature (1836) – one of two most popular works from this period
Second book – Essays (1841 & 1844) – full of prose describing faith,
skepticism, aesthetics and social philosophies
His poetry contained rhyme patters, stanza form, simplicity and imagery
Best poem = Days
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
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Born in Concord, Massachusetts on July 12
Family was neither poor nor wealthy
Graduated from Harvard in 1837
Taught by R.W. Emerson the philosophy of transcendentalism with
emphasis on mysticism and individualism
Only published two books in his lifetime – A week on the Concord
and Merrimack River, Walden
He lived alone near Walden Pond in Concord and wrote his Walden
essay which showcased his experiment with living close with nature
This was one of this periods most famous works
Also, his “Civil Disobedience” essay greatly influenced Gandhi,
Martin Luther King Jr., and other great leaders of the American civil
rights movement
Thoreau called for an end to slavery
Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
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Born in Long Island and raised in Brooklyn
No formal education, however he read works including those of Sir Walter
Scott, Shakespeare, Homer, and Dante
Fired as editor of “Brooklyn Edge” because he was against slavery
Took a job in New Orleans and saw diversity for the first time
Quit journalism in 1850 to write poetry
When Leaves of Grass (1850) was published, critics attacked him for his
untraditional ideas
Whitman’s work broke every poetic tradition of rhyme and meter while
celebrating American and the common man
He used his poetry to convey his passionate belief in democracy, equality,
and spiritual unity of all forms of life
He celebrated the potential of the human spirit
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
• Born in Amherst, Massachusetts to a prominent lawyer
• She was an energetic child who enjoyed cooking, sewing, and
studying an a boarding school
• Her father passed away and she remained isolated for many years,
dressing only in white and not letting anyone see her
• Later became a private person who was reluctant to reveal herself
or her work to the world
• She is best known for several poems including
- Because I Could Not Stop Death
- I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died
- There’s a Certain Slant of Light
- Water, is taught by Thirst
Themes
• All of the work from this time period is written in
a way that reflects the emotions and feeling of
the writer. It showed their opinions and thoughts
on various topics.
• Transcendentalists believed people learn about
the physical world through their senses and
understanding of their surroundings.
Themes
• Emerson especially felt that with self-reliance
and individualism they could find truth within
themselves and in turn, be completely happy.
• While in Harvard, Emerson coined the phrase
“Over-soul”. It simply is the idea that God, man,
and nature live together as one.
Themes
(Specific to Whitman and Dickinson)
• Whitman’s philosophy grew out of the ideas of the
transcendentalists. His poetry was shaped by his ability to absorb
and comprehend everything he observed, such as the diversity of
America’s landscape and people.
• Leaves of Grass captures the diversity of American people and
conveys the energy and intensity of all forms of life.
• Walt Whitman sympathized with the efforts to stop slavery and
save the Union during the Civil War. He strongly believed in the
liberty of all human beings.
• Dickinson was very lonely and her poems reflected that emotion.
She would write with feelings of sadness and isolation.
History
• Slavery – Most of the transcendentalists were involved
in social reform movements such as anti-slavery and
women's rights. They believed all people sought
freedom, truth, and knowledge.
• War protest – Most transcendentalists were against
slavery and supported the Union during the Civil War.
History
• Westward expansion – The transcendentalists
wanted to expand the country and moving west was a
great option. The west provided new opportunities for
gold, land, and a new life
• Industrialization – Ralph Waldo Emerson felt that the
machine was taking over men. The rise of
industrialization provoked the human need to feel
important and needed.
Characteristics Of Writing
• Simile – Dickinson used similes in the poem “I Heard A
Fly Buzz- When I Died” when she compared the stillness
in room to the stillness of the air to heaves of storm.
• Metaphor – Dickinson also used metaphors in her
writing, such as in the title of poem “The Brain- Is Wider
than the Sky”
Characteristic of Writing
• Symbolism – They way they write about themselves
and common folk symbolizes the individualism.
• Point of view – First person; Their essays express
opinions, and their poetry expresses emotions.
• Imagery – In Walden, there are many images of nature.
The “Over-soul” consists of images of God, humans, and
nature being one. The poetry has images of sadness
and loneliness, as well as American diversity.
Inventions of the time period
• Thoreau said “We do not ride upon the
railroad, it rides upon us.” This quote is an
example of his feelings toward technology
and the fact that its advancement is
inevitable. However, he felt that it may
have a different effect; to add stress to our
lives.
Other Inventions
Bibliography
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19 Aug 2008
<http://www.writespirit.net/authors/emerson/emerson_pic>.
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20 Aug 2008 < http://www.tooheyworld.com/images/uploads/WaldenPond_02.jpg>.
Clendenning, John. "Emerson, Ralph Waldo." World Book Online
Reference Center. 2008. 18 Aug.
2008 < http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar179760>.
Clendenning, John. "Thoreau, Henry David." World Book Online
Reference Center. 2008. 18 Aug.
2008
<http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar555700>.
Clendenning, John. "Transcendentalism." World Book Online Reference
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<http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar564260>.
Rowinski, M. 20 Aug 2008 <http://people.bu.edu/dix/walden3.html>.
Shepherd, Reginald . Harriet. 19 Aug 2008 <http://poetryfoundation.org/harriet/emily-dickinson.gif
"The Woods at Walden Pond." 24 Aug 2008 <http://george.loper.org/interests/housing/thero/pictures/thoreau.gif>.
Villy. "Wikimedia." 19 Aug 2008
<http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/H
enry_David_Thoreau.jpg/486px-Henry_David_Thoreau.jpg>.
Warner, Ross. 20 Aug 2008 < http://rosswarner.com/Walden.jpg>.