Transcendentalists American Literature
Remember… • Romantics & Transcendentalists = • Emos – Romantics were darker and more emotional • and Hippies – Transcendentalists focused on positive actions and creating change
Beginnings – Romantics & Transcendentalists • Both grew out of a reaction to the strict, Puritanical code at the foundation of American literature and society. • By the mid 1830’s, the Puritan rules and themes were considered outdated and repressive.
Beginnings Cont. • Transcendental movement began a few years after the Romantic • Both groups chose to write anti-Puritan themes • Both chose to ignore topics like strict religion, morals and the issue of guilt • Each group chose very different ways of doing this.
Hippies • The Transcendentalists’ main topic was “self reliance”. • While the Romantics wrote mainly to entertain – love poems or horror stories • the Transcendentalists wrote to effect change – motivational packets and political pieces.
Transcendentalism
Self reliance/intuition • Understanding comes from within individual, rather than being learned. • Individual capable of making own decisions without the help/guidance of society. • Emerson’s famous “Self Reliance” emphasized the importance of trusting your instinct.
Importance of Nature • Two aspects: – the earth – human nature • In both aspects, nature was considered the ultimate guide and sustainer. (cont. next slide)
Importance of Nature (cont.) • Transcendentalists found the divine in nature. • Unlike Puritans, didn’t need church • viewed the earth/nature as a spiritual place. • Thoreau’s famous Walden idealizes nature and water.
Free thought & expression • society should not silence the individual • each person should be free to express him/herself without fear. • Transcendentalists did not all agree with each other, and thought these conflicting opinions made them stronger.
The individual is important/non- conformity • individual conscience more important as guide than the law, government and community. • Thoreau refused to pay poll tax to protest slavery; Emily Dickinson wore only white
Confidence • individual should rely on his/her own knowledge • rather than living by society’s norms and just “going with the flow”. • Americans could form their own identity and didn’t need to imitate Europeans
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