The Importance Of Transcendentalism

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Transcendentalism, founded in 1836, brought people like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau to fame. Their unique ideas and writing styles brought a new set of ideals and morals to the world during a time of renewed faith. Both men believed in the transcendentalist ideals, such as the importance of individuality. Both felt that society affects people in a negative manner. In their works, Emerson and Thoreau utilize different points of view that established a tone in order to spread the ideals of transcendentalism.
Emerson utilizes third person to show the importance of remaining an individual even with the societal pressure to conform. His third person writing comes in the form of a preacher. When writing about people’s reliance on property he …show more content…
Thoreau explains how he writes for himself, and what may be true to him may not be true to his entire audience. This personal opening feels more like a story, in contrast to Emerson’s gospel-like feel. In his work “Economy,” Thoreau explains how inheritance is worse than someone may realize,“I see young men, my townsmen, whose misfortune it is to have inherited farms, houses, barns, cattle, and farming tools; for these are more easily acquired than got rid of.” Here, man’s inheritance becomes a prison, forcing them to sacrifice themselves in order to deal with the inheritance. Inheritance can destroy a man’s individuality, and impose conformity. Like Emerson, Thoreau stresses the idea that materialistic possessions get in the way of who somebody truly is. Thoreau explains that living as one wants, not as everyone does, is the only way to maintain individuality. Thoreau’s out of the box views put everyday life into perspective and make people embrace their originality with his personal voice and realistic

Transcendental Beliefs

Transcendentalism is the act of going against the norms of society in order to live a simple life. Throughout the points of individualism, self reliance and the importance of nature Transcendentalism views are not supported by the Bible. Transcendentalist views show the importance of relying solely on oneself and not on others, including God. A great example of this is in the text “Self Reliance” which states: “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string” (Emerson 270) This states the…

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Ralph Waldo Emerson and Transcendentalism Essay

Transcendentalism is a type of literary and philosophical movement started appearing around 1830’s. The term “transcendental” is first used by German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, to describe the spontaneity of human mind and how not every object can be known that individuals can reason truths on their own (Hayes). At the time period, Unitarianism was very popular religion which influenced heavily on the rise of transcendentalism. Unitarianism emphasizes individual’s freedom of religious interpretation…

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Romanticism Vs Transcendentalism

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How Did Ralph Waldo Emerson Impact Society

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Proof Several articles written during the prime of transcendentalism embodied the tenets which defined the movement. In particular, the essay Self Reliance written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, displays the importance of rejecting materialism. The title of the passage gives way to one of the major themes: to rely on one’s own spirit and mind, rather than on material items. It is apparent in Emerson’s writing that he fully advocates the importance of putting one’s character and self-worth before any other…

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