Examples Of Transcendentalism In To A Waterfowl

The general definition of transcend is ``to exceed, excel, or surpass. `` The word transcend, however, can also be broken down into two literal parts -- ``trans`` meaning ``over`` and ``scend`` (deriving from the Latin word scandare), meaning ``to climb. `` These literal meanings imply that transcendentalism is the philosophy in which intuition is thought to be superior to sensory experience in determining truth or reality.

Bryant effectively illustrates the third cornerstone, Nature, through the use of Nature itself as a moral teacher. For example, in The Yellow Violet, the delicate little flower is designed to show how easy it is for one to forget those who help pave the way for him in life. The Fringed Gentian, another beautiful but melancholy flower is intended to give hope to those who need it in a time of death. The last lesson in To a Waterfowl is intended to show that just as God guides the waterfowl to its ``summer home``, so He will guide Bryant through life to his ultimate destination.

In this excerpt, Longfellow expresses his regret over not having taken the opportunity to pursue what he loved. In the same way, Longfellow urges young people to pursue the ``aspiration of their youth`` and to live life chasing their dreams, without regret.

These men had one primary goal

as abolitionists – to appeal to the American peoples` sense of humanity regarding the issue of slavery through poetry. In Bryant`s The African Chief, he uses irony to plead those who call themselves Christians, as demonstrated through the trader`s response: `` Not for thy ivory, nor thy gold will I unbind thy chain . . . For thou shalt be the Christian`s slave, in lands beyond the sea. `` Longfellow takes an approach similar to Bryant`s as he highlights the bittersweet song of a Negro slave, longing for freedom, by stating in The Slave Singing at Midnight, ``Loud he sang . . . in a voice so sweet and clear . . . sweetly solemn, wildly sad. `` Whittier, on the other hand, crafts the dirge (poem of lament) Ichabod in response to slavery being permitted in newer territories. He opens, partially pitying the slave, but cursing and denouncing those who exhort slavery by stating, ``The glory from his gray hairs [slave] gone! Forevermore! ``

In this quote, Emerson states that history, past philosophies, and traditions are not only irrelevant to his society, but are the causes of man`s err. The fact that Emerson feels this way against the past, but in return, embraces a utopian-like future implies that he is a transcendental optimist at heart.

The error of Thoreau’s writing in this excerpt is found when he argues that one`s conscience is above the law, and that all men are naturally good and would do the right thing if faced with the choice.

The Bible states in Romans 3:23 that basically all men are inherently evil and have fallen short of God`s glory. We do not have the capacity to ever be good by our own might, nor do we have the capacity be directed by our conscience due to our flawed nature. In return, the Bible not only tells us to respect the government officials over us, but also commands us to do what is required of us, if it is not contrary to God`s Law (Romans 13:1-2; I Peter 2:13a; Matthew 22:21; and Acts

4:19).

Thoreau is right in the aspect that it is wise to live as ants, working and preparing for the summer the food they will eat in wintertime (Proverbs 30:25), but fails to realize that ants are small, weak, and among the lowliest of insects.

One profitable aspect of Thoreau`s philosophy as expressed an excerpt of Walden. He simply states, `` I had not lived here a week before my feet wore a path . . . `` Thoreau’s philosophy forced him to resist the common ``path`` of life, but he, unknowingly, had become a creature of habit. From reading this quote, one could change the way they live by deciding to be original and unique. Thoreau also write, ``If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them . . . `` This is also helpful in advising those who have dreams to put foundations under them so that they are not lost.

Whitman`s choosing of free-verse form over the traditional rhyme and meter of his day symbolizes rebellion. This would allow one to assume that he may have had a pugnacious, ambivalent and seditious nature.

Whitman`s choice of writing in free verse form adequately expresses his uncontrollable grief as it seemingly rushes directly from his heart onto paper. He also uses figures of sound and thought to bring about cohesion and compensate for the lack of rhyme and meter. As for figures of sound, Whitman uses alliteration for emphasis in l. 10 by describing his grief as ``the hands that hold me powerless . . . helpless soul``, and cacophony through the use of consonants to express dramatic ideas through harsh sounds. He also uses apostrophe and metaphor (figures of thought) to directly address the various metaphors for President Lincoln in ll. 7-10.