Transcendentalism Questions and Answers
Transcendentalism
What are the pros and cons of transcendentalism?
The pros of transcendentalism would include its encouragement of people to live their own lives. Staunchly nonconformist, transcendentalism is all about doing your own thing and being true to...
Transcendentalism
What are the differences between Transcendentalism and Puritanism?
The primary differences between Transcendentalism and Puritanism lie in their views on salvation, human nature, and the divine. Puritanism believes in salvation for the elect and views humans as...
Transcendentalism
Compare Emerson and Thoreau's views on nature, individuality, and conformity.
Emerson and Thoreau, both Transcendentalists, valued nature, individuality, and non-conformity. Emerson viewed nature as a spiritual guide, emphasizing individual enlightenment through nature, as...
Transcendentalism
Paraphrase an epigram from Emerson's "Nature".
Emerson's epigrams from "Nature" emphasize the restorative power of nature, where one returns to essential self and faith, shedding ego and merging with the divine. Being in nature allows for true...
Transcendentalism
Overview of the Transcendentalist Movement
The Transcendentalist Movement, emerging in the early 19th century, emphasized individual intuition and the inherent goodness of people and nature. It advocated for self-reliance, personal...
Transcendentalism
How did transcendentalism emerge in the early nineteenth century?
Transcendentalism emerged in the early nineteenth century as a reaction to Enlightenment rationalism and institutionalized religion, influenced by Romanticism's emphasis on intuition and individual...
Transcendentalism
Are Hawthorne and Poe both against Transcendentalism?
Hawthorne and Poe are often viewed as opposing Transcendentalism due to their portrayal of human nature. Both authors, part of the Dark Romantics, depict characters who succumb to inherent evil,...
Transcendentalism
How does Emerson support his claim, "to be great is to be misunderstood?"
Emerson supports his claim by arguing that true greatness often involves presenting ideas or art that challenge prevailing social norms, leading to misunderstanding. He suggests that exceptional...
Transcendentalism
What does the phrase "the sky is the daily bread of the eyes" mean?
The phrase "the sky is the daily bread of the eyes" by Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests that the sky provides constant spiritual nourishment and inspiration, much like daily bread sustains the body....
Transcendentalism
What is the significance of the effects of the transcendentalist movement?
The transcendentalist movement significantly influenced American culture by emphasizing individualism, self-reliance, and social reform. It encouraged people to trust their inner beliefs and...
Transcendentalism
How do two scenes in Avatar relate to Transcendentalist beliefs?
Two scenes in Avatar reflect Transcendentalist beliefs by highlighting the connection between nature and the divine, and how this connection leads to wisdom and social action. In the film, some...
Transcendentalism
What are the beliefs of major leaders in the transcendentalist movement?
Transcendentalist leaders like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau believed in the spiritual intuition of individuals, transcending reason and sensory experience. They held that God is...
Transcendentalism
Who is the most famous Transcendentalist?
The most famous Transcendentalist is often considered to be Ralph Waldo Emerson, renowned for his extensive writings and quotations. However, Henry David Thoreau's impact on civil disobedience and...
Transcendentalism
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Does last-minute work contradict this?
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. One has to have the talent and then the discipline to utilize it, anyway. It is a matter of having all one's eggs in one basket or having them...
Transcendentalism
Understanding Transcendentalism in literature
Transcendentalism in literature is a philosophical movement that emerged in the 19th century, emphasizing the inherent goodness of people and nature. It advocates for self-reliance, individual...
Transcendentalism
What transcendentalist beliefs are attributed to Emerson and Thoreau?
Emerson and Thoreau's transcendentalist beliefs emphasized individualism, self-reliance, and a deep connection with nature. They believed in deriving truth and morality from one's inner self rather...
Transcendentalism
What is the relationship between Transcendentalism and reincarnation?
Transcendentalism does not explicitly endorse reincarnation, as its emphasis on individualism and the present moment contrasts with reincarnation's notion of the individual as part of a larger...
Transcendentalism
In Emerson's "Nature" essay, how are the themes of "eyes" and "children" carried out?
In his essay, Nature, Ralph Waldo Emerson shows the reader scenes of nature that he loves rather than just tells about his feeling in general; with his sight imagery, the reader shares in the...