Transcendentalism Transcendentalism was a philosophical and literary movement

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Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism was a philosophical and literary movement that grew, primarily in New England, between

Transcendentalism was a philosophical and literary movement that grew, primarily in New England, between the 1830 s and the 1850 s.

They struggled to define spirituality and religion in light of the spread of deism

They struggled to define spirituality and religion in light of the spread of deism / Unitarianism, and the reason and logic of the Enlightenment.

An argument against traditional religious views had come out of the religion largely based

An argument against traditional religious views had come out of the religion largely based on the work of John Locke.

Locke argued that people are born with a tabula rasa, a clean slate. Humans

Locke argued that people are born with a tabula rasa, a clean slate. Humans enter the world with nothing in their brains, no memories, no thoughts, nothing.

Because of this, Locke argued, a who a person is, who they become, is

Because of this, Locke argued, a who a person is, who they become, is totally based on their life experiences. The things they do, the things they see, the things that happen to them, all shape who that person is.

Some began to argue then, that a person’s spirituality must also be based upon

Some began to argue then, that a person’s spirituality must also be based upon their own life experiences.

This contradicted traditional Christian ideas of a soul.

This contradicted traditional Christian ideas of a soul.

Deists and Unitarians bought into the idea of tabula rasa and continued to challenge

Deists and Unitarians bought into the idea of tabula rasa and continued to challenge traditional ideas of religion. They continued to look for ways to explain faith and the concept of a “god” based on reason and logic.

Transcendentalists tried to reconcile all of this, and came up with their own take

Transcendentalists tried to reconcile all of this, and came up with their own take on faith, spirituality, and religion.

They argued that the world was created by an “oversoul” the source of all

They argued that the world was created by an “oversoul” the source of all life.

Furthermore, they believed that each person had within them an “inner light” that could

Furthermore, they believed that each person had within them an “inner light” that could help them “transcend” this world of the senses and reach the “highest truth. ”

The best way to get in touch with that “inner light, ” they argued,

The best way to get in touch with that “inner light, ” they argued, was to go within yourself on a journey of self exploration.

The best way to allow for success on this journey of self discovery was

The best way to allow for success on this journey of self discovery was to remove distractions.

With all distractions out of the way, one could concentrate and find the light

With all distractions out of the way, one could concentrate and find the light within, thus reaching the highest truth.

In order to really remove distractions, a person needed to practice the key principles

In order to really remove distractions, a person needed to practice the key principles of transcendentalism: Self-reliance Self-culture Self-discipline

While there were many transcendentalists, two are more important than all the rest.

While there were many transcendentalists, two are more important than all the rest.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson was at the heart of the entire movement. The rest of the transcendentalists

Emerson was at the heart of the entire movement. The rest of the transcendentalists looked to him as something of a leader.

Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau wrote eloquently of his own personal experiences in searching for his “inner light.

Thoreau wrote eloquently of his own personal experiences in searching for his “inner light. ”

His most famous work is Walden in which he recounted his time spent isolated

His most famous work is Walden in which he recounted his time spent isolated from the world living on the shores of Walden Pond in Massachusetts where he engaged in a journey of self discovery.

Fin.

Fin.

Transcendentalism American Literary and Philosophical Movement of theTranscendentalism American Literary and Philosophical Movement of the
Transcendentalism An important American Literary and Philosophical MovementTranscendentalism An important American Literary and Philosophical Movement
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LITERARY DEVICES LITERARY ELEMENTS LITERARY TECHNIQUES LITERARY DEVICESLITERARY DEVICES LITERARY ELEMENTS LITERARY TECHNIQUES LITERARY DEVICES
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1 Transcendentalism A literary intellectual and social movement1 Transcendentalism A literary intellectual and social movement
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Literary Movement Romanticism Transcendentalism Romantic Literature1830 to 1865Literary Movement Romanticism Transcendentalism Romantic Literature1830 to 1865
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LITERARY TERMS Literary Terms Literary terms refer toLITERARY TERMS Literary Terms Literary terms refer to
Literary Devices WHAT ARE LITERARY DEVICES LITERARY DEVICESLiterary Devices WHAT ARE LITERARY DEVICES LITERARY DEVICES
Literary Circles Literary Circle Groups Literary Circle GroupsLiterary Circles Literary Circle Groups Literary Circle Groups
Literary Devices WHAT ARE LITERARY DEVICES LITERARY DEVICESLiterary Devices WHAT ARE LITERARY DEVICES LITERARY DEVICES