Emerson's Theory Of Transcendentalism

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Transcendentalism was a popular movement during the nineteenth century. This movement included philosophical, political, and literary expansion of free will and accepting of others. Several people contributed to this movement; however, there were three people that provided the most contribution.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is the one known to have written the theory of Transcendentalism. I can understand why a person would think that. Before Emerson, Transcendentalism was not widely known. Emerson introduced several new inspirations. In addition, this made the movement have a wider and larger selection of subjects to discuss. In his writings, he is trying to improve things since Transcendentalism started off at a time where feuding was a regular occurrence. “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” (Emerson 566) Emerson’s essay “Self-Reliance” is trying to acquire an individual to improve on life choices and to realize how powerful life choices can be by introspective. “A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages.” (Emerson 549-50)
As well as, how he come to be there. His essays also go into detail about how he lived and what exactly he believed in. While on his journey, Thoreau read several books to fully understand the impact of what this movement could do. Therefore, he moved to the woods. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts, and see if could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” (Thoreau 906) He believed in living life to its fullest and being free to do just that. This is the whole purpose of the Transcendentalist movement. In the period we live in, do you believe that living life to its fullest and being free to do just that is

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