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Unit 2: Transcendentalism

Coach W. Harris

Reflection of the Time

Themes found within the writings of the American Transcendentalists reflect the the commonly held beliefs of mid-nineteenth century New England.

ABOLITION MOVEMENT

American Transcendentalists such as Henry David Thoreau tackled the subject of slavery within their writings through their non-conformist messages and themes of free will and individuality.

"I do not hesitate to say, that those who call themselves Abolitionists should at once effectually withdraw their support, both in person and property, from the government of Massachusetts and not wait till they constitute a majority of one, before they suffer the right to prevail through them."

Thoreau, Henry David "Civil Disobedience." Web. 7 Dec 2012.

<http://thoreau.eserver.org/civil2.html>.

The themes and messages found in the works of the American Transcendentalist writers relate to other American works both past and present.

Past Influences

Continuing Influences

Themes found within the writings of the American Transcendentalists have their roots in both the Colonial and Revolutionary periods.

Themes found within the writings of the American Transcendentalists have continued to influence the political, social, and philosophical ideas of their own and subsequent time and writers.

Individuality and self-reliance are important characteristics of a "whole" individual.

Spiritual intuition valued more than material wealth.

Ralph Waldo Emerson expresses the same theme of individuality and free will within his essay "Self-Reliance."

Patrick Henry, in the opening of his speech in the Virginia Convention, expresses the theme of individuality and free will.

"But different men often see the same subject in different lights...I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve."

"Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day."

Porter Wagoner expresses this same theme of the spiritual intuition being greater than material wealth within the lyrics of the song "Satisfied Mind," which top the country charts in 1955.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Self Reliance." Web. 7 Dec 2012.

<http://www.math.dartmouth.edu/~doyle/docs/self/self.pdf>.

Henry Patrick. "Speech in the Virginia Convention." Web. 7 Dec 2012.

<http://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm>.

" 'Cause money can't buy back your youth when you're old

Or a friend when you're lonely or a love that's grown cold

The wealthiest person is a pauper at times

Compared to the man with a satisfied mind."

Wagoner, Porter, perf. "Satisfied Mind." Writ. Joe Hays and Jack Rhodes. Web. 7 Dec

2012. <http:/ /www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyYCClHDrmU&noredirect=1>.

Henry David Thoreau expresses the idea of spiritual intuition being greater than material wealth within the chapter "Conclusion" from his famous work Walden.

"Superfluous wealth can buy superfluities only. Money is not required to buy one necessary of the soul."

Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. Web. 7 Dec 2012.

<http://www.concord.org/~kathy/Walden/wldcon.html>.

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