TRANSCENDENTALISM Part One Self Reliance Ralph Waldo Emerson

TRANSCENDENTALISM Part One

“Self Reliance” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Self Reliance” • Each person must ultimately rely on himself or herself. – Nothing good comes from envy or imitating someone else. – A person can only profit from his or her own work – One must accept one’s unique place in the world…

“Self Reliance” • One must have faith that God is working through oneself in a unique way. – One’s own impulses must be honored as if they came from God; following your nature is crucial in order to be a self-reliant individual.

“Self Reliance” • It is easy to live by your own ideas when alone and to conform when you are with others. – A great person refuses to conform even in a crowd. • “ For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure. ” (366)

“Self Reliance” • Consistency scares us from trusting ourselves because inconsistency exposes us to criticism from others.

“Civil Disobedience” Henry David Thoreau

“Civil Disobedience” • Thoreau begins by making a strong and potentially radical statement about government. • Government should be a tool for carrying out the will of the people. – It should not be used to abuse power or authority.

“Civil Disobedience” • Thoreau opposes abolishing government immediately; he favors improving government immediately. • For Thoreau, individual conscience is of greater importance than majority rule.

“Civil Disobedience” • Americans were in the midst of fighting a controversial war with Mexico, making Thoreau’s comments greatly divisive. – Argues that people can become “agents of injustice” by upholding morally wrong laws. – Thoreau approves of those who serve with their conscience.

“Civil Disobedience” • Taxes represent the agency of an unfair government. • Truth holds power. – People should not be afraid to stop supporting a government that is unjust. – People should use their whole influence to fight for change.

“Civil Disobedience” • If people experience injustice themselves, it will only make them more effective as protesters. – A jailed person with a clear conscience is freer than someone blindly serving an unjust system.

Walden Henry David Thoreau

Walden • Thoreau begins with a meditation on the place where the first shots of the revolution were fired. – His rebellious and independent spirit is in keeping with the spirit of the American Revolutionaries.

Walden • Thoreau moves to the woods to live simply and deliberately; to experience the essence of life. • Thoreau’s remedy for our hectic, detailcrowded lives is to simplify. – Eliminate unnecessary activities.

Walden • Extended Metaphor: Thoreau likens civilized life to a rough sea. – Every day demands might cause one to overlook the meaning of life.

Walden • Thoreau exaggerates the importance the average person gives to the daily news. • “Penny for your thoughts…” – The offer is never taken literally. – The Penny-post. • Thoreau wants to spend his time figuring out the “secret of things. ”