Transcendentalism

• The Transcendentalist movement largely began as a form of religious revolt in the 1830s.• Everything in the world, including humanity, is a

reflection of the Divine Soul.

• Writers’ and philosophers’ ideas and values spread and attempted to change the cultural landscape of America

• believed in the importance of leading by example• largely believed in a peaceful revolution by example• The way one lived, thought, and interacted with the

world would become a model for others. • An exemplary life would inspire others to live in a

new way.

• reform of self and the subsequent reform of society underlie the emphasis on education• If you change yourself, and everyone else changes

themselves, then society will change. This change happens with education.

Transcendentalism

The Journal• Journals played an important role in the lives of the

Transcendentalists

• help writers record and remember important thoughts and events• used for reflection

• journals = very public object open to the examination of others within the movement• a shared writing

• The journals served the purpose of helping to generate new thoughts or insights within the reader

• idea of spontaneity - record the instantaneous reactions to one's environment

• wanted life to flow openly and freely allowing joy and pain to be felt – to recognizes the variations of life's moments

Transcendentalism

Periodicals (magazines, newsletters, etc) • periodicals were meant to be an extension of

the ideas that informed their use of journals and conversations• a form of conversation in print that would be

a discussion about life. • periodicals spread ideas that would inspire

people to think in new ways;• wanted people to read the poems, essays, and

reviews in the periodicals, so they could catch a glimpse of life in a new way that would lead to a transformation of how they envisioned the rest of the world

• getting their ideas to a larger audience

Transcendentalism

Lectures• lectures helped to support the

Transcendentalists financially• $$$$$$

• also helped to spread their ideas across America• acceptable social entertainment in

contradistinction to unacceptable or devalued forms of social entertainment, such as taverns and theatres

Transcendentalism

Small group brainstorm. Write your responses on big Post-It Note paper. Your group’s responses will be shared with the class.

1. How are you affected by nature? Do you find comfort in it? Do you reflect the moods of nature?

2. What is the role of nature in your life?

3. What is meant by an individual’s spiritual side? How do you define it?

4. Is there a connection between the individual’s spirit and nature? If so, what is that connection?

5. What does it mean to know something intuitively? For example, has a parent or sibling ever known something was wrong with you, without having talked with or seen you? What do we mean when we say “I just know it”?

6. How do you demonstrate that you are an individual? Do you think independently of others or do you follow the crowd?

Transcendentalism I See… poem

I see….I hear…I smell…I feel…I feel…

(ex) I see a rough oceanI hear waves crashing and seagulls squawkingI feel cold and dampI feel calm and at peace

(ex) The rough ocean churns, angry at the mean, grey sky. Waves crash against the sharp, gagged cliffs as seagulls warn of an

approaching storm.I am cold, damp, and alone, but I am calm.I am at peace.