Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that began in the early nineteenth century in America. One of the major tenets of transcendentalism is that society and social institutions corrupt the purity of an individual. Transcendentalists believe that individuals should believe in themselves and not conform to others’ beliefs. They think that society is a major reason why individuals lack self determination and the ability to possess their own values.
Henry David Thoreau, one of the major transcendentalist composed a philosophical autobiography,Walden that captures his life experience in the wood. During his time in the woods, Thoreau finds himself embracing the simplicity of nature and shows distaste in the society that forces
…show more content…
He believes that slavery is an immoral action that should banned. He feels disturbed by the government for their involvements in the Mexican-American war and their actions in expanding slavery. Thoreau realizes that the government uses laws and restrictions forcefully to make individuals conform. In this way, individuals are forced to comply to the government actions despite opposing them. Thoreau refuses to pay his poll taxes as a way to protest the Mexican-American war and the expansion of slavery in the South. He believes that individuals should oppose the government by not paying for taxes if they believe that the government is corrupt. Thoreau’s opposition to the government collides with transcendentalism because they believe that society corrupts the intuition of an individual. Transcendentalists encourage individuals to follow their own will and oppose to things they disagree with like the corruption of the government. In addition to the criticism of the government, Thoreau feels disappointed at people conforming to society’s standard. Thoreau prefers his old clothes than new and extravagant ones. “I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes. If there is not a new man, how can the new clothes be made to fit?”(Thoreau 26). He feels that his old clothes have adapt to fit in his body and it provide the basic need for
In Walden, Henry D. Thoreau presented a radical and controversial perspective on society that was far beyond its time. In a period where growth both economically and territorially was seen as necessary for the development of a premature country, Thoreau felt the opposite. Thoreau was a man in search of growth within himself and was not concerned with outward improvements in him or society. In the chapter entitled "economy," he argued that people were too occupied with work to truly appreciate what life has to offer. He felt the root of this obsession with work was created through the misconstrued perception that material needs were a necessity, rather than a hindrance to true happiness and the
The excerpt Walden, by Henry David Thoreau, is a piece that explores the purpose of life, especially if it isn 't lived to the fullest. Thoreau starts by sharing the meaning and value of life. His idea of his personal achievement was to live life and die with a sense of peace and knowledge that he did not waste a single moment. He wanted to live life while being true to himself regardless of whether he would find life to be cruel or a wonderful place, and this was a risk he was willing to take. In a modern sense we are intrigued by technology. Although those in favor of technology may say that the new devices and applications do not affect human interaction and our way of living we are, are unable to see that, even in a room filled with people, there is an isolation barrier and an inability to live life to the fullest.
Instead, Thoreau built a simple but efficient cabin and furnished it with the basic necessity of a bed, table, chairs and desk. He also didn't waste his time and energy trying to keep up with the latest fashions; he wore comfortable and long lasting clothes. Thoreau explained to his readers that this simplistic way of life decreased the dreariness of every day life and left more time to explore one's meaning of life and his role in the world. Freeing oneself from the economic race, Thoreau argued, allowed for individual to be inspired by nature and focus on the genuine concerns of life.
After spending a night in jail, after nonpayment of Massachusetts poll tax, Thoreau wrote his essay “Civil Disobedience”. He states that governments are mostly “inexpedient” (1577), or not practical. At best, Thoreau pushed the idea that the government isn’t useful because it is not our own. He writes “What makes this duty the more urgent is the fact that the country so overrun is not our own, but ours is the invading army” (1580). Americans listen to the rules established by the government, but it is not necessary, because the government is just the majority of people with whom are living off a different countries rules. The reason the government is even there, is because it gives the citizens some type of stable structure to live by. Thoreau feels that the government is unjust and the citizens of America should not follow rules. He feels like a reform is in need; “It is not a man’s duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous, wrong” and “not to give it practically his support” (1582). Thoreau and Emerson both push for social reform of the individual. Emerson wants the individual to be reliant on themselves, and not fall into the conformity of the American society. Thoreau, also teaches the individual to think different then the governmental established rules. Both authors want the readers to trust themselves, before they trust the
Thoreau questions society and essentially the core of its practicality, posing the question: Is the idea of a civil citizen possible without loosing ones’ principles? In his essay he articulates, “Unjust laws exist: shall we be content
Henry Thoreau’s masterpiece, Walden or a Life in the Woods, shows the impact transcendentalism had on Thoreau’s worldview. Transcendentalism is a philosophy that asserts the primacy of the spiritual over the material. Transcendentalism puts the emphasis on spiritual growth and understanding as opposed to worldly pleasures. Thoreau’s idea of transcendentalism stressed the importance of nature and being close to nature. He believed that nature was a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment. A walk in the woods therefore was a search for spiritual enlightenment. One should look ‘through’ nature, not merely ‘at’ her.
Thoreau asserts and criticizes how the government is running and explaining how it has an effect to its people. This piece was written in the 19th century and took place on the year of 1849. Thoreau expresses that when men are prepared to transmit themselves by behaving wisely and responsibly, that will be the government they will have. Thoreau is an 19th century white male who attempts to grab the attention of a white audience. His purpose is to inform the people of how the government is handling the laws and unjust American policies. Thoreau's tone appears to be defiant in his writing to the clamor as to why he refuses to pay his taxes and chose to protest in civil disobedience. He argues the need for the individual action to a higher
In “Resistance to Civil Government,” Thoreau states, “The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it” (Norton Anthology 843). He goes on to discuss how the government needs to be amended. This quote sums up the main point of the writing. Thoreau saw an issue in a prominent organization and spoke out about it. He even proposed a solution to this major problem. Thus, he embodies the idea
In a Civil Disobediences, Thoreau was not just asking the citizens to act and rebel but also mentions how the government was doing. Thoreau uses metaphor to demonstrate to his audience how the government was behaving towards the people and how it functioned. “The standing army is only an arm of the standing government.” Thoreau uses metaphor in the way that it compares the army to part of the government. Using the government and human body is not applicable but Thoreau wanted to show his audience of how the government worked and in what place the army took part in.
A final controversial stand Thoreau takes against man and government is that it is mans duty to not participate in the injustices created by the government and his fellow man. He made an example out his own thoughts by not paying taxes for six years, and spending the night in jail for them. Thoreau also states that one should not follow the government if it requires you to perform injustices, he in turn suggest you be the `counter-friction' in the political machine in hopes of making it wear away sooner. In addition to that, he comments on the rich and how they continually sellout their virtues to the institution that helped get them to their place of power and wealth. He suggests
Thoreau was a character that seemed to not care to fit social conformity. At times, it seems that he actually went out of his way to not do as society did. Thoreau thought of himself as seeing the world in a manner that was better for all of humanity. If Thoreau's experiment had been carried out in today's society, many people would have scrutinized it in many different ways. He could have been seen as reclusive, radical, disillusioned, revolutionary, or even just crazy.
Therefore, Thoreau was ahead of his time as historians place the golden age of free thought from 1875 to 1914. This idea of personal freedom was not popular at the time “Walden” was only a marginal success. Afterward, in the Civil Rights moment the “Walden” became very popular with young Americans. The “Walden” inspired theses’ Americans to obtain real freedom with many examples. “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.” At the time most, parents expected their sons to take over the farm after the father became feeble. Therefore, most men were forced to work the farm instead of pursuing what they wanted. Instead a man becomes a machine that has no freedom. Therefore, have a feeling that his only function was to replace the old machine before him. “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” Technologies today give us the illusion of heightened freedom. In the United States, we can obtain every material item we desire. Even though we still have the highest rate of anxiety disorders and depression in the world. Thoreau explains “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” To have true freedom and happiness you must face your demons. As material earnings can’t cover up your inner truth. Many Americans can’t handle the truth and this why we live a life of desperation. Thoreau
This metaphor therefore can seem warped, combining seemingly “unrelated” concepts, making the comparison more difficult to understand. Thoreau’s metaphor may be more abstract than a societal allusion, however the comparison is closer to the root of nonconformity, i.e, abandoning all societal preconcepts and following individual thought and the intransigent concepts of the world. This style of
Transcendentalism was an American literature movement urging people to look past everyday material life, and reach into their souls to find inner peace with themselves. Transcendentalism originally came from Kantian idealism. This idealism was credited by Immanuel Kant.
While Thoreau continues to paint himself in a brilliant light, he also rejects the opinions of the outside world with specific allusions and similes. He manages to put himself and decisions on an implicit pedestal, disguising it as man’s desire for material possession and complexity. By referencing the “German Confederacy, made of up petty states” (Paragraph 2), Thoreau intertwines both connotation and a relevant allusion to current events at the time. This gives Thoreau’s readers a chance to connect with his writing and believe that they are the problem for not dropping their belongings and bounding into the nearest forest to live a life of modesty. He also uses colloquialism to simultaneously draw his readers in while alienating himself from the common issues of man, “The nation itself, with all its so-called internal improvements, which, by the way are all external and superficial, is just such an unwieldy and overgrown establishment, cluttered with furniture and tripped up by its own traps,” (Paragraph 2). The famous author’s special attention to colloquialisms, including “so-called”, create an atmosphere familiar to his readers. However, his decision to mention furniture and traps conflict with Thoreau's own ideas of a materialist lifestyle. Even as simply uses hyperboles to get a point across, “Men say that