Transcendentalism was a literary movement in the first half of the 19th century.
The philosophical theory contained such aspects as self-examination, the
celebration of individualism, and the belief that the fundamental truths existed
outside of human experience. Fulfillment of this search for knowledge came when
one gained an acute awareness of beauty and truth, and communicated with nature
to find union with the Over-Soul. When this occurred, one was cleansed of
materialistic aims, and was left with a sense of self-reliance and purity. Two
authors who were among the leaders of the movement were Ralph Waldo Emerson and
Henry David Thoreau, whose works "Nature", "Self-Reliance",
and "Walden" brought America to the forefront of the transcendentalist
movement. Their ideas opposed the popular materialist views of life and voiced a
desire for freedom of the individual from artificial restraints. They felt that
if they explored nature thoroughly, they would come to know themselves and the
universal truths better. The concept of transcendentalism is clearly expressed
in the essay "Nature", by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson was a leader in
the movement of transcendentalism and the first American author to influence
European thought. His essay "Nature" tells of how one can gain insight
and spiritual cleansing simply from experiencing nature. Emerson tells of how
"in the woods is perpetual youth" and "in the woods we return to
reason and faith." These lines exemplify the very ideals of
transcendentalism. They show the deep roots a person has in nature and how one
can receive knowledge of their Over-Soul by honestly enjoying the outdoors and
freeing oneself of previous evils. In the following lines, Emerson remarks:
"Standing on the bare ground- my head bathed by the blithe air and uplifted
into infinite space- all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eyeball:
I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through
me; I am part or parcel of God." These lines display the transcendentalist
belief that purity and knowledge can be obtained from a union with and
understanding of nature. Emerson also relates the concept of transcendentalism
to human life in his essay, "Self-Reliance." In this aptly named
essay, Emerson grapples with another part of transcendentalism, the issue of
"self-reliance." He sees mankind as somewhat of a coward; that people
never express their true selves. Emerson claims that humans are afraid to fail;
they are pleased if successful, but are never happy with where and what they
are. He expresses transcendentalist ideals by saying that a true person would be
a non-conformist. Emerson puts this belief into words in the following lines:
"There is a time in every mans education when he arrives at the conviction
that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for
better, for worse, as his portion.no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him
but through his toil." These words are the epitome of the ideals of
transcendentalism- that one must celebrate the individual in order to find
himself one with the universe. Another significant glimpse into the core ideals
of transcendentalism was made by the distinguished author Henry David Thoreau.
Thoreau lived in the home of essayist and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. His
most honored and enjoyed work was the story, "Walden", which gives a
forthright statement of his reasons for embracing a contemplative and decidedly
transcendentalist life living on the shore of Walden Pond. In
"Walden", Thoreau explains why he chose the woods: "I went to the
woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts
of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came
to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life,
living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite
necessary." Thoreau himself was quoted as saying, "In wilderness is
the preservation of the world." In "Walden", the author describes
the cardinal importance of nature in ones search of their soul. Thoreau chose to
live in seclusion because he believed solitude was the best companion in order
to know one¡¦s own self. In the essay, he felt that mankind cared too deeply
for material possessions; "simplify!" he implored. Thoreau claimed
that humans were "ruined by luxury and heedless expense" and that
success is gained when one "advances confidently in the direction of his
dreams". Thoreau stressed the importance of the individual, saying "If
a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a
different drummer." His ideas were the foundation of transcendentalism-
individualism, knowledge of nature, and the disposal of material belongings.
Transcendentalism was one of the most important movements of the 19th century.
The theory embodied ideals that, if taken to heart, had the potential to create
a better understanding of the soul. If a person could connect their individual
soul with the universe, they could fulfill their potential in life. One achieved
this through many different ways, ways that are explained and discussed in the
three works mentioned before. Transcendentalism was a fundamental movement that
was forever immortalized by innovative authors and works of literature.