Comparing Transcendentalism In Emerson And Thoreau

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In transcendentalist readings, such as "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson and "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau, the idea of nonconformity presents itself as a large part of the Transcendentalist belief. Transcendentalism encompasses the ideas of living in the moment, being at one with nature, living as simply as possible, and not conforming to social norms. Ralph Waldo Emerson was a Transcendentalist who lived in the woods, and found peace and comfort in nature. He had no problem in standing up for his beliefs. In Emerson's "Self-reliance" he addresses ideas of deviating from other's ways of doing things. He states that a man can only truly be happy "when he has put his heart in to his work" (Emerson 186). If he has not "put his heart into his …show more content…

He was fascinated with nature and the idea of living separately from others. In his story "Walden" he talks about his days of living in nature. Thoreau presents the idea "if one advances confidently in the direction of their dreams" then eventually will be "met with a success" (Thoreau 204). Instead of following the crowd, we should be working to our personal goals, not the goals of someone else. It is important to live our own lives and not in someone else's shadow, that would be a waste of talents. Thoreau introduced ideas that one could not be "keeping pace" with others "because he hears a different drummer" (Thoreau 204). Those who have separate ideas and beliefs are following their hearts and what is right for them. Thoreau argues, what may be truth to one person, may not apply to another. Therefore, we must always follow what we believe to be correct. In the poem "A Psalm of Life" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow the theme of nonconformity is very apparent. In the poem he explores the ideas of seizing the day and deviating from being normal. He also explores the idea of not complying to the normal standards. Lowell challenges the reader to "Be not like dumb, driven cattle" (Lowell 19). We should not follow every action of the crowd. Instead, we should make our own decisions and not feel bad about what others think because we are only following our

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