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Thoreau Transcendentalism

Decent Essays

In the early 19th century transcendentalism became a philosophical movement that arose the ideas of understanding life in the simplest of terms. From Thoreau to Emerson, they expressed the ideas of nonconforming from society in order to live in simplicity. Although transcendentalist ideas tend to come and go, society alters the appeal as the influence of transcendentalism occurs in many forms today.
Living life in simplicity is a trend set by Thoreau as he goes to the woods to be free from society’s expectations. He desires for everyone to stop living their life so complicated as they’re being consumed by the want of materialistic things “Most of the luxuries… positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind” (Thoreau Walden “Economy”). As society …show more content…

“We see the world piece by piece, as the sun, the moon, the tree, the animal” (Emerson The Over-Soul) If we’re not open to looking at the truth, then we’re only going to be seeing it piece by piece. We’ll never see the full picture unless we’re open to everything even if we disagree with some things. Having this mentality allows for us to see things from different perspectives. Many are so used to the idea of following the expectations that are set up by society yet one never takes the time to do what they want as one is not open to that idea of breaking away. Once one breaks away and forgets about the materialistic things, that’s when one has figured that they have set themselves free form society. Although change is not something one would look forward too, however, it’s something that society as a whole need to experience once in their life as it’s part of what makes one who they are. Without seeing these changes one may never get used to the idea of how advanced everything has become over the years. Although it seems like many aren’t open minded, slowly but surely that thought would eventually change and most would be more open-minded. One of the reasons why society should be open-minded is through the use of living life in simplicity. If one doesn’t live life in simplicity then are they actually living life to the

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