Thoreau and Transcendentalism Essays - 778 Words

Followers of the Transcendentalist movement stressed the religious, philosophical and ideological importance of life. Henry David Thoreau was a staunch supporter of the movement. Thoreau felt that a person lived a good life by following his conscience and instincts. He also felt that materialism was a sure way to distract a person from leading a good and moral life. Thoreau proposed for the government to be involved in as little of a citizens life as possible; he felt too much government control just complicated a persons life. Like most Transcendentalists, Thoreau believed there was a direct connection to God through nature. If a person appreciated nature he would gain a higher understanding of God. Finally, Thoreau encouraged†¦show more content†¦Instead, Thoreau built a simple but efficient cabin and furnished it with the basic necessity of a bed, table, chairs and desk. He also didnt waste his time and energy trying to keep up with the latest fashions; he wore co mfortable and long lasting clothes. Thoreau explained to his readers that this simplistic way of life decreased the dreariness of every day life and left more time to explore ones meaning of life and his role in the world. Freeing oneself from the economic race, Thoreau argued, allowed for individual to be inspired by nature and focus on the genuine concerns of life. In Thoreaus Civil Disobedience, he argues that when civil laws conflict with an individuals morality, the individual should follows his conscience. Thoreau like many Transcendentalists felt a less involved government was best. Thoreau wrote, That government is best which governs not at all. Obviously, Thoreau realized that he could afford to take this open opinion on government because of the American government. But he felt that governments authority should be limited to physical matters of the country, such as infrastructure and orderliness. He felt a government that become involved in moral matters such as sobriety and slavery was a government over-stepping its boundaries. Ultimately, Thoreau and other transcendentalists felt a utopian society would be the best.Show MoreRelatedThoreau And Transcendentalism1518 Words   |  7 Pagesmust be slaves† is a political statement that never lost its topicality during the Romantic era. Thoreau served as an important contributo r to the philosophical and American literary movement known as New England Transcendentalism. Nature and the conduct of life are two central themes that are often weaved together in his essays and books that were published in the Romantic era of literature. Thoreau brought these two themes together to write on how people ought to live a simplistic life throughRead MoreThoreau And Transcendentalism Analysis828 Words   |  4 PagesThoreau’s views on Transcendentalism and how he practiced it. If it has not become apparent thus far Emerson and Thoreau were close friends and lived with each other on occasion. Naturally because of their close friendship they influence each other’s work, but in most cases you can see Emerson’s influence in Thoreau’s works clearly. His is the main difference between the two writers however in their belief and writing patterns Thoreau loved nature. Thoreau’s love of nature can e explained here inRead MoreThe Ideas Of Tran scendentalism By Emerson And Thoreau1264 Words   |  6 PagesTranscendentalism, in response to enlightenment, was the redefinition and introduction of the ideas of self-dependence and spiritual guidance. Alongside these points, the complexity of our relationship with nature was explicitly explained, and the importance of stable morals was expounded. Transcendentalists, mainly led by Emerson and Thoreau, who were the literary leaders of that time, introduced a new way of thinking that implored the world around them to get in touch with their core and theirRead MoreEmerson And Thoreau : The Ideas Of Transcendentalism960 Words   |  4 PagesTranscendentalism started long before people can most likely remember. Transcendentalism is â€Å"a philosophy which says that thought and spiritual things are more real than ordinary human experience and material things,† (Webster). In this it explains that life is more than just physical needs. Life is about a whole other mental or conc eptual area. Not what you can touch or feel or even think, but what is behind all of the ideas. In the world, there are two boxes, there is the idea box, then there isRead MoreHenry David Thoreau And Transcendentalism1346 Words   |  6 PagesHenry David Thoreau was born and lived his life in Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau had always been an intelligent student and eventually began his study at Harvard University and graduated at the top of his class despite having to drop out on several occasions due to his financial struggles. Around the time when Thoreau was graduating,   America had been experiencing an economic depression resulting in the loss of jobs of many and work became harder to find. But because Henry Thoreau was a HarvardRead MoreThe Effect Of Transcendentalism : Henry David Thoreau1654 Words   |  7 PagesThe Effect of Transcendentalism: Henry David Thoreau Transcendentalism is the American literary, political, and philosophical movement of the early nineteenth century that was rooted in the pure Romanticism of the English and the German (Goodman). Ralph Waldo Emerson is considered the father of Transcendentalism because his literature is the first to praise the notable spirituality of nature. The basic belief of the movement is to live authentically; being true to oneself (Day). The movement itselfRead MoreTranscendentalism: Henry David Thoreau Essay1096 Words   |  5 PagesHenry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817 in Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau grew up in poverty; his dad was unsuccessful and had trouble maintaining a steady job. Thoreau followed in his father’s footsteps, ultimately bouncing from job to job, scorned by society for his unconventional way of living and lack of income (Henry David Thoreau, Discovering Biography). Thoreau began to write with the guidance of Ralph Waldo Emerson who became one of the mos t important influences in his life. LivingRead MoreHenry David Thoreau : The Philosophy Of Transcendentalism1055 Words   |  5 PagesThe philosophy of Transcendentalism, according to the article â€Å"Transcendentalism, An American Philosophy† is believed to have been created and led by Ralph Waldo Emerson, which is why he is considered by many literary scholars and historians to be the father of Transcendentalism. Throughout the years, this philosophy attracted other artists and thinkers such as the American Romantic novelist Henry David Thoreau. These prominent and poetic individuals created an insight for this movement, believingRead MoreHenry David Thoreau And Chris Mccandless Transcendentalism1618 Words   |  7 Pagesadvised by people to start engaging in the concept of solitude. Henry David Thoreau and Chris McCandless were both transcendentalism that believes in the key fundamental idea that the human body should partake in such as solitude. Henry Thoreau was a tra nscendentalist that practiced the form of solitude throughout his life. He left society and moved into the woods to be removed from the confines of society. Along with Thoreau, a more modern-day transcendentalist was known as Chris McCandless. McCandlessRead MoreTranscendentalism : Henry David Thoreau And Ralph Waldo Emerson847 Words   |  4 PagesTranscendentalism relates to freedom in several ways. Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau are two transcendentalists that have different views on freedom. Our project, representing freedom, shows a person how to live his or her life in a way of freedom shown by Emerson and Thoreau. Together, we did research on the transcendentalists: Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. We studied