American Transcendentalism

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American Transcendentalism is a reform movement that involves the development of new ideas that are brought to light by political, literary, and philosophical changes. As a whole, Transcendentalism is not a religion but a way of believing in oneself. Rather than relying on the support of Christ, Transcendentalists connect themselves to the concept of self-actualization and realization to be at peace and reach the maximum capacity of happiness they can achieve. The individual has the ability to live life as they please based on the structure of the universe and the composition of the individual itself, not physically but mentally. This movement brings forth the concept of supporting nature as a whole and using its virtues as a symbol and a way to be at one with oneself while gaining self-knowledge and realization. To Transcendentalists, nature, beauty, and the soul are linked to one another. This link allows one to locate the comfort and peace that may not be present in regular civilization and society. As a result, isolationism may occur. Several aspects of Transcendentalism are located within the texts of most Transcendentalist authors and their literature, which includes living as one desires, looking to nature for support, isolationism from regular civilization, and the overall divinity and beauty that nature has to offer. Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden and “Walking,” and Ralph Waldo Emerson, author of the essay Nature, are two of the numerous popular Transcendentalists of their time period who display these characteristics within their text. It is in Henry David Thoreau’s Walden that nature is directly spoken of. The speaker of Thoreau’s essay, who is Thoreau himself, speaks of the differences between nature and regular civilization....

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...Walden underlines the desire for isolationism and the need to be at peace with oneself without the bothers of humanity. In "Walking," though similar to Walden, Thoreau focuses more on the journey of life. He uses the idea of a path as a metaphor to compare walking to life itself. All three pieces of literature by two separate authors are connected to the same theme, despite minor differences in language, imagery, and beliefs. Both Thoreau and Emerson illuminate their beliefs as inspiration for their own work and for other Transcendentalists of their time and beyond. Works Cited Doley, Shimimoni. "The Eco-Ethical Paradigm In Emerson's Nature And Thoreau's Walden." IUP Journal Of American Literature 3.4 (2010): 22-26. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 8 Dec. 2013. Palmer, Scott. "Why Go Straight? : Stepping Out With Henry David Thoreau's "Walking" And Edward Thomas' The Icknield Way." ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies In Literature & Environment 12.1 (2005): 115-129. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 4: American Transcendentalism: A Brief Introduction."

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