Transcendentalism In 'Nature And Civil Disobedience'

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Transcendentalism is the idea of believing in yourself, and believing what you say and what you think is right. When I read these excerpts it makes me feel powerful and makes me feel like I can do anything and makes me realize that need to believe in myself more, which is exactly the goal of transcendentalism. Many characteristics of transcendentalism are covered in both of these stories and really get the point across. Emerson’s excerpt, “Nature”, and Thoreau's essay, “Civil Disobedience” both demonstrate transcendentalism. They discuss simple lifestyles, spiritual well-being, and self-reliance.
Having a close relationship to nature is one characteristic that relates to transcendentalism. In the excerpt, “Nature,” written by Emerson, he states, “Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or mourning piece.” …show more content…
“Civil Disobedience” is a great example of one who sticks up for what they believe in. One characteristic of transcendentalism that is included in this writing is that fact that one believes in the inherent goodness of people. In the excerpt, “Civil Disobedience,” Thoreau states, “A minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority.”(2) This statement sends a powerful message. This is telling others that you can’t do it alone. You need to come together as a group to make a message really heard. Thoreau believes that people will come together to share a common opinion. In a similar sense, this writing also includes the belief that people should trust themselves to be their own authority on what is right. Thoreau thinks, “ There are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to the war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to them.”(1) He believes that people need to speak up when they are opposed to something or voice out their opinion whenever they have one. Transcendentalism is all about believing in yourself and believing that what you say and what you think is
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