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Exploring American Transcendentalism: The Voice of a Literary Movement

American Transcendentalism, flourishing from the 1830s to the 1860s, represents a pivotal literary and philosophical movement that sought to establish a distinctly American voice. Rooted in Romanticism, it emphasized individual intuition and the inherent goodness of people and nature, challenging established norms in literature, religion, and social reform. Key figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau contributed to its emergence, advocating for self-reliance, spiritual exploration, and social change, which left a lasting impact on American culture.

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Exploring American Transcendentalism: The Voice of a Literary Movement

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  1. American transcendentalism
  2. “Tran-scend-wha?” Literary movement (1830s-1860s) Established clear “American voice” Related to Romanticism Ideas about literature, philosophy, religion, social reform, and the general state of American culture A belief in a higher realitythan that achieved by human reasoning There is an ideal spiritual state which “transcends” the physical. Suggested that every individual is capable of discovering higher truth through intuition
  3. What about Puritan Ideas? Unlike Puritans, Transcendentalists saw humans and nature as possessing an innate goodness. “In the faces of men and women, I see God” -Walt Whitman Opposed the strictness of established religion. What about Rationalist Ideas? Unlike Rationalists, Transcendentalists did not believe that truth was obtained from logical reasoning, but rather, through intuition
  4. What about Romantic Ideas? ROM&TRANS = Closely related, but do have some important differences: Focused on nonconformity, social reform, and civil disobedience Transcendentalists focused on the individual self even more than Romantics All truth could be derived from the self Regarded nature as symbolic Nature provides answers about virtue and wisdom
  5. Main characteristics of American Transcendentalism 1. Rejection of materialism 2. Embrace Simplicity
  6. characteristics 3. Intuition over reason  Relied on gut instincts, feelings, and imagination
  7. characteristics 4. Nonconformity & individuality  Advocated social reform & peace  Believed in a “higher law”
  8. characteristics 5. Nature is the prime source of truth and inspiration  Believed in living close to nature and nature’s importance
  9. characteristics 6. “Thinking outside the box” & creativity
  10. characteristics 7. Self-reliance 8. Confidence
  11. The 1st transcendentalists Henry David Thoreau Author Poet Philosopher Abolitionist Essayist Lecturer Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson
  12. Transcendentalism in a nutshell Reject materialism Simplicity Intuition Nonconformity & Individuality Nature Creativity/Thinking outside the box Self-Reliance Confidence
  13. Essential Question 1 Who determines right and wrong for the individual?
  14. Essential Question 2 At what point is it necessary to break the law?
  15. Essential Question 3 Where is the individual closest to the divine?
  16. Essential Question 4 How much of one’s values and individuality must one compromise to live in society?
  17. Essential Question 5 Are material items necessary in order to live a fulfilling life? What impact does materialism and consumerism have on our society?
  18. How does this scene from Fight Club reflect transcendental ideals?
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