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Relevance Of Transcendentalism

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Topic/prompt: Based on what you’ve read, argue whether the ideas generated from the Transcendentalist movement are still relevant to today’s world (and if so, how, and if not, why not). You may choose to focus on one of the three thematic categories we’ve discussed (Importance of Self-Reliance, Value of Simplicity, or Illusion of Progress) or you may create your own thematic category but I recommend you narrow your focus. American Transcendentalism was an important philosophical and literary movement which placed an emphasis on staying true to one’s beliefs and expressing oneself no matter the situation or consequence. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau fully embraced these beliefs as their influence has allowed these …show more content…

Emerson claims, “To believe your own thought...that is genius...A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament of bards and sages”(14). In this quote, he states that we must be able to detect and live by what we believe and trust our own thoughts as we contain all the amount of wisdom needed to live and succeed.
While trying to tie the ideas of being herself and having an impact on society just as Emerson encouraged, Lady Gaga decided to wear a meat dress that was rather a powerful political statement, rather than just another attention-grabbing outfit. Lady Gaga urged the US military not to discriminate against gay men and lesbians from serving in the army (Mapes). She stated that the law prevents the military from enjoying "the greatest cut of meat my country has to offer”(Morano). By following the preachings of Emerson that state, “where there is no path then leave a trail,” she was accused of animal abuse and being disrespectful towards vegetarians and vegans despite being a vegan herself (6). She was persecuted continuously until she gave the statement on her reasoning behind the meat dress. Although Lady Gaga did stand firm in what she believed in, there was more negative backlash than support for her movement. Emerson predicted the situation Lady Gaga was in when he said, “for nonconformity the world whips

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