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Transcendentalism | Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

In order to understand the ideas that are expressed in the essays of Emerson and Thoreau, it is important to understand some fundamental concepts of Transcendentalism. When it began in New England in 1836, the Transcendentalist Movement helped create new ideas, literature, religion, culture, and philosophy. The Transcendentalists expressed ideas that were rebellious—the writers were protesting society's belief in intellectualism, the authority of classic works, and the supremacy of religious doctrine. While most members of nineteenth century society were striving to conform to its culture, traditions, and laws, Transcendentalists believed that each person should rely on his or her own intuition and spiritual essence; in fact, this trust in the self was the only way to reach an ideal spiritual state.

As you read the essays in this book, notice how the authors deal with each of the following:

  • Nature—To the Transcendentalist, Nature is the outward sign of inward spirit, expressing the “radical correspondence of visible things and human thoughts,” as Emerson writes in Nature (1836).

  • Religion and Spirituality—Nature and spirituality are closely linked in Transcendentalism. Notice how the authors allude to elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Unitarianism in their writings. It should be noted that these religions focus more on spirituality than on doctrine and dogma.

  • Government—Transcendentalists rebelled against popular notions of government and institutions because these entities sought to control the minds and lives of individuals. Thoreau, throughout his life, was against slavery (he was a strong supporter of the Underground Railroad); he also accepted imprisonment rather than paying a tax that supported the Mexican War, which he felt was unjust.

  • Education—It is interesting to note that both Thoreau and Emerson attended Harvard, but later rebelled against its insititutions and practices. Many Transcendentalist ideas and philosophies were aimed at changing the opinions of the intellectuals of that time.

  • Allusions—Both Emerson and Thoreau allude to contemporary events, Greek and Latin mythology, Sanskrit scriptures, Chinese philosophy, earlier writers and philosophers, and Biblical stories. A glossary has been provided at the end of each essay to identify many of these important references.

Also, notice how idealistic the authors are. Emerson himself acknowledges this fact and writes that pure Transcendentalism is impossible to attain in practice. However, these ideas are important because they have shaped thoughts and influenced many scholars, philosophers, and political leaders throughout the world.