Transcendentalism

Transcendentalist Movement

- An offshoot of the Romantic Movement of the early to mid 1800s - More philosophical than spiritual

what are some examples of dark romanticism in The Ministers Black Veil

- SPN (dead lady's hand twitches at funeral, veil creates fear, mysterious music played out of no one at funeral -dark side of humanity (people treat the minister badly just because he is wearing a veil)

what are some characteristics of Dark Romanticism

-Supernatural characteristics -Pessimistic-Dark side of humanit -Dark side of natur -Sin -Guil -Imagination leads to madness -Battle between good and evil -individualism

What were the "Self Reliance" principles

1. Determine the truths for yourself-only accept those traditions which appear to be true; reject the rest 2. Know thyself - become a person of principles and then live by those principles, even if the majority of society doesn't care 3. Be yourself - Exercise the self-discipline necessary to study oneself in relation to nature.

How did Transcendentalists view the world?

1. Everything in the world, including human beings, is a reflection of the divine soul 2. The physical facts of the natural world are a doorway to the spiritual or ideal world 3. People can use their intuition to behold God's spirit revealed in nature or in their own souls 4. Spontaneous feeling and intuition are superior to deliberate intellectualism and rationality.

What were the "Walden" principles

1. Good is in man and in all living things 2. Contemption of Divine nature and nature - it is best to live as close to nature as possible, for there a person can most successful contemplate his/her reason for being 3. Time and person Growth - work (for money) only enough to fulfill basic needs. Dedicate the rest of your life to personal growth

What did they believe spiritually?

1. Personal belief and meditation was valued over organized worship and servies 2. No meditation, such as a priest of minister, was necessary for a person to experience a connection with the divine 3. They contended that there is a spark of the divine in all human beings, and that if we understand ourselves and are true to ourselves, then we are also true to God.

What were transcentalists philosophy?

1. Real truth can only be understood by transcending logic (science doesn't always equal God) 2. Belief that spiritual entity or force that connects all living things - the oversoul 3. Belief in the individual (self-reliance, non-conformity, the human spirit) 4. Nature is honored - it is in nature that we connect with the Oversoul

Henry David Thoreau

American transcendentalist who was against a government that supported slavery. He wrote down his beliefs in Walden. He started the movement of civil-disobedience when he refused to pay the toll-tax to support him Mexican War.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

American transcendentalist who was against slavery and stressed self-reliance, optimism, self-improvement, self-confidence, and freedom. He was a prime example of a transcendentalist and helped further the movement.

What is imagery

Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

Where did Emerson go to school

Harvard

What were the principles of "Civil Disobedience"?

Have the courage to practice some form on non-violent protest, if a law violates your principle even if you must suffer the consequences.

"Civil Disobedience"

Henry David Thoreau advocated this process of defying codes of conduct within a community or ignoring the policies and government of a state or nation when the civil laws are unjust.

Who oversaw Emersons education

His Aunt

Who cited Thoreau as a major influence?

Martin Luther King, Jr. Ghandi

What are the 3 parts of the transcendentalism movement?

Philosophy, Spiritual, and Literacy

"Nature"

Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are 4 words to describe Henry David Thoreau?

Transcendentalist, Naturalist, Abolitionist, Activist

What were Transcendentalists trying to do?

Transcendentalists like their fictional counterparts, the Romantics, were trying to forge a distinctly American literature and philosophy that valued the power of the individual

amphorism

a brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life

Transcendentalism

a philosophy and literary movement of the 1800's that emphasized living a simple life and celebrated the truth found in nature and in personal and imagination

"Self-Reliance"

an essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, emphasizing the importance of the individual

what are the major characteristics that contrast between Romanticism and dark Romanticism

romanticism- good side of nature/humanity; world is good; optimisticdark romanticism - dark side of nature/humanity; good and evil battle in world; pessimistic

What is a non-conformist

someone who refuses to adhere to established standards of conduct or cultural norms

"Walden"

written by Henry David Thoreau; a personal account of his life spent in a cabin on the edge of Walden Pond, where he lived simply and found truth. Thoreau lived there for 2 years