Individualism In Emerson's Transcendentalism

“There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil” -Ralph Waldo Emerson in Self Reliance. Ralph Waldo Emerson was a transcendentalist. Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that originated in the 19th century and was primarily influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Transcendentalists’ main beliefs are: self-reliance is essential to one’s life, nature is divine, every person should have an optimistic outlook, and humanity needs to adhere to their personal morals and beliefs. In today’s world we still see a multitude of the beliefs of transcendentalism.

The author hopes, through this text, to make the reader realize that using intuition and going beyond one’s own senses can help to reach basic truths. This idea is also evident in the text, “the power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows until he tries” (550). Like Romanticism, Transcendentalism also values the ideas of individualism. Emerson writes that “nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind” (551), and while it expresses individualistic beliefs, it, also, is another example of instinct and

Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, central figures of Transcendentalism, expressed their beliefs through works such as “American Scholar” and “Into the Woods” in the nineteenth century. They believed that one must be in simplicity, solitude, and away from technology to appreciate the beauty of nature, which is essential for a better spiritual understanding of oneself. Transcendentalism, which focuses on spiritual interactions with nature, is relevant in today’s hectic life with temptations of materialistic goods and burdens of technology. The retreat that Webb offers every year is a good example of how Transcendentalism shapes students to have spiritual richness and mental strength. On retreats, students go off campus with bare necessities for three days to camp sites in nature to reflect and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. Viewed through the lens of Transcendentalism, retreats allow students to prepare for a new and busy school year to come by helping them to realize their own goals, to get rid of distractions of technology, to get inspired by nature for a better understanding of themselves, and to enjoy a moment of solitude to truly reflect on the deeper meanings of life.

Transcendentalism is an idealistic,philosophical,and social movement that developed in New England around 1836. It taught that divinity pervades all nature and humanity and that by experiencing nature one could experience divinity. A Transcendentalist is someone who lives outside the confines of societys rules, finding inspiration and meaning through experiencing nature. Transcendentalism rose as a reaction against 18th century rationalism,sensualism ,and calvinism, it is composed of a variety of ideals spanning from Hindu texts and other such various religions. Several authors came about that influenced and pushed the transcendental movement to progress and evolve past what it originally was, among them being Ralph Waldo Emerson, (who is credited with pushing Transcendentalism to become a major cultural movement) and other such

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.

Transcendentalism was a trend during the romantic period where some authors chose to depict the serenity and the innocence that nature holds. Transcendentalists also believed that living totally dependent on oneself brings out the best in a person. Being a fairly independent person myself, I can identify with some of their opinions about life and nature. The idea of nature being a spiritual experience is a rebellious idea compared to the rationalism of many others during the same time period. The transcendentalist writer of the late 1700’s, author Henry David Thoreau, shares the same thoughts about nature, independence, and recreation as I do.

Thoreau, Emerson, and even Chris McCandless promoted peace, individualism, and the respect of all forms of nature. Transcendentalist authors encourage readers not only to express individual ideas, but to not be bothered by or conform to society. I believe these are wonderful lessons for every person to learn. These same ideas can be applied to my daily life in that I should be my own self and not a “follower” of the crowd. Next, transcendentalists advocate for a constant and increased respect of nature. As a person who loves to spend time outside, I agree with this idea. Emerson preaches the idea of the bond men can have with nature in his essay “Nature.” I agreed wholeheartedly with this message. Lastly, the idea of “true happiness coming only from service to others” struck me. As a firm believer in living a life for God and others, I concurred with this idea. In order for us to have true happiness with ourselves, we must live a life for others. The keys of transcendentalism have caused me to engage in some introspection and challenge my everyday actions. In final, transcendental ideas have prompted positive changes in my

Nature itself is very important in the world and as for self-reliance it was seen as being something you should be. Along with social reforms being something that is going against what society deems right. Transcendentalist believed that nature was a main aspect of life and that it was

Transcendentalism is to understand who oneself is by having confidence, free thought, and self-reliance. It is to isolate themselves from society and find themselves through nature, to find what they want and who they are. They must have self-reliance and leave the people they know, and isolate themselves from society, so they will not be told who they are or who they should be. Going into nature without the luxuries and only the essentials, confidence is imperative. They have to be confident in themselves to know they can survive on their own. Free thought is also crucial because they need to be able to live a simple life and explore new ways to live, while enjoying every second of it and making everything they do meaningful to them. Thoreau

Transcendentalism is the idea that our spirits have deep connection with nature. Our ideas go beyond the natural world as we see it. Transcendentalism is a philosophy about self reliance, and individuality. We are more into nature and our mood is more pictured by Nature. When I think about failures and achievements I can always base it off transcendentalism.

Transcendentalism is a very elaborate word which is used to describe a very simplistic idea, this idea sparked a religious, philosophical, and literary movement. All people, whether it be men or women, have knowledge about themselves and the world around them which in essence ‘transcends’ or goes beyond what they can sense or feel. This immense knowledge arises by way of intuition and not of logic or the senses. A transcendentalist is a person who understands and accepts these ideas and concepts as a way of understanding life, and realizes that action is better than contemplation. Transcendentalism was born in New England in the 1830’s and discovered by the extraordinary philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Transcendentalist has a handful of principals from self-reliance to the thought of technology is harmful.The main tenet throughout the paper will focus on the importance of nature. Transcendentalist views nature as a gateway to the spiritual world, a way to the Omnipower. Henry David Thoreau immersed himself into nature fully “The morning wind forever blows, the poem of creation is uninterrupted; but few are the ears that hear it”(Thoreau II). Thoreau reveals how he has taken the time to observe nature to its fullest extent. He saw nature as a neighbor who was to be respected just as a man would treat another. Ralph Waldo Emerson a great transcendentalist, a mentor to Thoreau. Emerson’s point of view of nature showed how men and nature can become one to uplift themselves from the worldly shackles. Thoreau and Emerson both had a concept that nature was essentials to mankind, one sought out to respect it and the other viewed as a form of release.Nature is important to transcendentalism because it leads to spiritual connection and harmonization.

One of the most famous texts ever written for the sheer purpose of Transcendentalism was Emerson’s Self Reliance. In his essay, he writes about the importance of nonconformity and individualism. In Self Reliance, Emerson tells us to “trust thyself.” From only two words, one can gather the whole purpose of his essay. With nonconformity, man can defend himself against the tendency to become satisfied with life, and lose his own individuality. With “good- humored inflexibility” the self-reliant person can become someone who obeys himself. When it comes to a battle of law or a battle of morals, the self-reliant man will follow his morals and discard the law. One is not to use their logic, but use intuition. Emerson simply was striving for not the superiority of one man, but for originality and individuality of all humankind. He wanted to

Although transcendentalism is primarily viewed as straying from tradition, the element of nature and the simplicity that comes along with it are also very salient. Emerson believed that nature

The poem “Song of Myself” contains all the elements that defined “Transcendentalism”. The Transcendental movement is based on the principle that human knowledge could go beyond worlds. “Transcendentalism” originated as a sub-genre of “Romanticism”.