TranscendentalismTranscendentalism

1919thth Century Hippies Century Hippies

What is What is Transcendentalism?Transcendentalism?

Hard to define: Even the leaders of the Hard to define: Even the leaders of the movement disagreed about its principles.movement disagreed about its principles.

Cross between Enlightenment and Cross between Enlightenment and Romanticism:Romanticism: Write poetry and essaysWrite poetry and essays

Key IdeasKey Ideas

Individuality: Be true to yourself. Only rely on Individuality: Be true to yourself. Only rely on yourself.yourself.

Non-Conformity: Do not bend to the wishes of Non-Conformity: Do not bend to the wishes of society. Do what you think is right.society. Do what you think is right.

Intuition: Listen to your inner voice. You were Intuition: Listen to your inner voice. You were born knowing what is right for you.born knowing what is right for you.

More Key Ideas…More Key Ideas…

Nature: Have a very strong relationship Nature: Have a very strong relationship with it.with it. Transcendentalists see spirituality in Transcendentalists see spirituality in

everything.everything. God is everywhere. In people and in nature.God is everywhere. In people and in nature. Needs of people do not outweigh the needs Needs of people do not outweigh the needs

of nature.of nature.

The WritersThe Writers

Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson Father of TranscendentalismFather of Transcendentalism Wrote “Self Reliance”Wrote “Self Reliance”

Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau ““Civil Disobedience” and Civil Disobedience” and WaldenWalden..