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Transcendentalism Research Paper

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This past summer I followed my heart all the way to Fiji, for the sole purpose of diving one of the most recognized shark reefs in the world. Not many people would pay a hefty sum of money to dive one hundred feet into the ocean with bait hoping to find numerous sharks, especially when those sharks happen to be considered one of the more dangerous species to man: the Bull shark. Everyday for three weeks, ten other shark loving teenagers and I sought adventure deep in the ocean with sharks up to twelve feet long and 500 pounds. When my English teacher introduced transcendental essays in class written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, a 18th century philosopher, I immediately thought of my shark diving experiences. My shark diving experiences embody …show more content…

Emerson was born in Boston in the early 1800s. After studying at Harvard, Emerson joined the ministry. He spent much time reading about eastern philosophies like Hinduism and Buddhism which began to alter his originally Christian views. In 1832, Emerson resigned from the ministry just after his wife, Ellen, died of Tuberculosis. He spent some time traveling then returned to Massachusetts where he began to write and publish essays and poems about his philosophies, which had shifted from protestant to more eastern views. These philosophies were known as transcendentalism or, transcending into nature and ourselves to find meaning. Emerson wrote his first transcendental piece, “Nature”, in 1836. Nature focused on the idea that one could find peace and understanding through connection with the natural world. One of his next famous works was “Self- Reliance” which he wrote in 1841, “Self-Reliance”. The essay’s focal point was trusting and following your own mind and thoughts. Emerson continued to spread transcendental ideas until his death in …show more content…

Ever since the release of the movie Jaws, sharks have had an extremely violent reputation. Although statistics prove unprovoked shark attacks on humans are extremely rare, people continue to believe the negative consortiums of sharks, that they are man- eating predators. This became very apparent to me when I told people my summer plans of shark diving in Fiji. The responses varied but all of them had the same message: that if I were to want to dive in the ocean with big sharks, I must be crazy. My friends and family would constantly ask me if I was sure that I wanted to go. Even if I just mention that sharks are my favorite animal people would ask if I was joking or how I could possibly like sharks. I had known that diving with sharks was not the most popular activity, but I realized how negativity people really felt about sharks and diving with them. I ultimately stuck with my gut and pursued my passion because like Emerson says, “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what people think.” I would have to ignore people’s negative comments and not let them “sink like darts” into my ears and “put me in fear”, like Emerson suggests in “Self- Reliance”. I went against what others told me, and I dove with sharks which although was misunderstood, was the greatest

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