Throughout the readings of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, both writers have transcendentalism in common. Transcendentalism was a mainstream movement that was brought up around the 1830s. That type of write focused mainly on a deeper understanding in the material and spiritual realities most of the time the stories written had a very dark perspective. This movement was influenced by romanticism and platonism. The authors have very similar writing styles. Within their writings they have similar aspects, yet maybe the same themes. In some aspect, both stories overlap in nonconformity, self-reliance, free thought, confidence, and importance of nature.
First off, Nonconformity one of the few similarities. Nonconformity is when someone does not accept/or take in how certain people behave or think, but it is okay with
…show more content…
everyone else. An example of nonconformity from the text would be, “ — took his word for his deed, for I dearly love to talk — ,” (Thoreau). The quote demonstrates that it takes a large amount of efforts to accept someone's word for something. Especially when that person likes to talk. In most cases when a deal is made, it would be enclosed on paper with a signature. In this case all that they had was the person word. With only that they had to move forward. Personally I believe that nonconformity takes places a lot in today's world, because everyone is raised different. Because they are raised different, their perspectives are different when it comes to certain situations. Secondly, Self- Reliance is another theme that categorizes in both stories. Self-Reliance is described being able to make decisions on your own, with no help from others. For instance, “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, —,” (Emerson). The quote demonstrates that the person accepted their own thought, and took it into consideration. Even though their was a chance that it wasn't the best option. Self-Reliance is an obstacle that many have to go through. The difficulty that they have is believing their own opinion or comment. They are most likely of being embarrassed is their opinion is wrong. Moreover, Free thought is another similarity. Free thought is described as a person who has their own opinions, and have no doubt about it. Usually they chose their opinions over anyone's comment/opinion. For instance, “In imagination I have bought all the farms in succession, for all were to be bought,” (Thoreau). The quote demonstrates that the character has a wild imagination. He bought all the farms and walked passed every farm he bought, ana all of that was going on in his mind. Free thought occurs a lot with everyone, but in most cases none of that imagination really occurs. Like they say there is a difference between a goal and imagination. Furthermore, confidence is a major theme in the stories.
Confidence is having the trust in others and yourself in order to produce good results. For example, “Between man and the vegetable. I am not alone and unacknowledged,” ( Emerson). The quote proves that the person realizes where their place is in this situation. They might not have the best position, but they are confident with where they are. Confidence is a large key factor in today’s present day. Some people do not have much confidence within themselves. On the other hand some have too much of it. Some may get too into themselves, which means they have confidence but too much isn't so great.
Also, Importance of Nature is a common theme. The significance of nature can be described as a symbol of the the significant truth. An example of nature’s significance is, “Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece,” ( Emerson). The quotes shows that nature is the base for the setting. Which also sets a comforting feeling to others. The importance of nature plays a huge role in today's present world. Everywhere you got their is bound to be a resemblance of
nature. In conclusion, the authors had similar themes in their stories. Which meant that the stories had very similar topics and points of views. The authors had very similar perspectives, they enjoyed to add deep meanings in their writings. They tend to explain deep details about a topic, so that the readers can really put effort into trying to understand the meanings behind certain themes or topics.
Thoreau wrote, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” The words transformed people’s lives to think more of the why in life and live with a purpose not just do what they are told, which was a driving idea within the Transcendentalist movements. Transcendentalist were hard to define, but perhaps one of the fathers of transcendentalism Ralph Waldo Emerson defines it most gracefully in a speech he gave, “The Transcendentalist adopts the whole connection of spiritual doctrine, He believes in miracle, in the perpetual openness of the human mind to new influx of light and power: he believes in inspiration, and in ecstasy”. As Emerson’s key student and self-proclaimed Transcendentalist Thoreau fulfilled these requirements to help further this movement of higher
Thoreau and Emerson were considered as transcendentalists and their tones are most similar to one other. Thoreau and Emerson both used religion in their writing, knew about people, loved nature and were introspective. Nathaniel Hawthorne took a more humorous side than the others. His work, Dr. Heidegger's Experiment, was an ironic story that showed his dissatisfaction with people's actions and society's values. He was also more pessimistic than Emerson and Thoreau had been.
In Emerson’s “Nature” nature is referred to as “plantations of god” meaning that nature is sacred. Also mentioned, is that “In the woods is perpetual youth”(#) conveying that nature keeps people young. Therefore, these excerpts show that nature is greatly valued by these transcendentalists. Transcendentalists would likely care significantly about the environment. In contrast, nowadays nature is often and afterthought. Natures’ resources are being depleted for human use, and the beauty of nature is also not as appreciated by modern people as it was by transcendentalists. The threat to nature in modern times contrasts to the great appreciation of nature held by authors like Emerson and
Today, there are many stories of protests all across the world. Although it is not thought about during the protest, they may be following Thoreau’s way of protest. Martin Luther King had a very similar situation to Thoreau. Likewise, Ghandi also went through some of the same experiences just in a little more violent way. Thoreau had many beliefs about Civil Disobedience and the way things in government and society should work. He had certain beliefs and ways about going about them. Thoreau thought that we the people needed a government that was better for us and would help. He believed that governments that were expedient were the best kinds of governments. Thoreau has been known to have many different parts of his protest, which still influence on many people today.
Confidence is defined as belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities, self-confidence, self-reliance, assurance. Confidence is something that these characters must have in the stories that they are in. Confidence is something that every person should have in order to succeed in anything that they do. Being cocky and having a swagger all comes from having confidence. Heroes in every story are known to have tasks that they must take on things and overcome obstacles that are more challenging than any other character in the story. The tasks they take on can be anything from realistic everyday life pro...
The voice of America bellows with the sound of freedom and individuality, which reflect the core values of the American society. This voice belongs to Ralph Waldo Emerson, a Transcendentalist writer, who outlines the main value of Americans: individualism. While Thoreau and Dickinson voice this supreme value, Ralph Waldo Emerson transcends these voices not only by discussing individualism, but as well by narrating how to achieve it.
know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my
" Both state that people will always treat you with injustice so don't follow them by being a conformist and be unique, great people always were misunderstood and treated as
Henry David Thoreau's dominant trait was being a Transcendentalist. Transcendentalism is the belief asserting the existence of an ideal spiritual reality that transcends the experimental and scientific and is knowable through instinct.
While Emerson and Thoreau certainly have difference of opinions, they recognize the need for public discussion and discourse. Emerson declares “a foolish consistency” to be “the hobgoblin of little minds” (Emerson 367). This is shown in their essays “Self-Reliance” and “Civil Disobedience” in which they support individuality and personal expression. Despite their contrasting views of society and government, the two most prominent transcendentalists in literary history share a passionate belief in the necessity that every American must exercise their constitutional rights and make known their views even and especially if it challenges the status quo.
...ed to an optimistic emphasis on individualism, self-reliance, and rejection of traditional authority” (American 1). The major players in the transcendentalist movement are Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. They shared ideas such as self-reliance, and ideas about how there is a divine being that controls every person. They influenced many other writers and they even had an effect on the American society, then and now. Transcendentalism was a philosophy and a way of life. It will continue to be this as long as we have access to the great minds of the transcendental movement.
In the Webster's online dictionary, self-confidence is defined as confidence in oneself and in one's powers and abilities. A famous quote by Jim Loehr says, "With confidence, you can reach truly amazing heights; Without confidence, even the simplest accomplishments are beyond your grasp." Confidence in yourself does not come without effort. One must believe in themselves, and not let someone change their beliefs. In the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Jane shows self-confidence throughout the novel, by possessing a sense of self-worth, dignity, and a trust in God.
Henry David Thoreau did not come from a wealthy and distinguished family (Olsen). However his family found a way to afford sending him to Harvard College. Thoreau barely passed the entrance exam into Harvard College (Clendenning). While attending Harvard he studied different languages and English Composition (Olsen). In 1836 he was forced to withdraw from school due to illness (Clendenning). During this time he met Ralph Waldo Emerson who eventually wrote to Harvard on Thoreau’s behalf in order to get financial aid (Olsen). Thoreau was finally able to return to college and graduated August 30, 1837 (Olsen). This fact is important because it tells what school Thoreau attended, the classes he took, and even previews the fact he met Ralph Waldo Emerson who would eventually become the role model for Thoreau’s own work. Transcendentalism was popular in the 1830s and 1840s. It lasted a mere 10 years. Transcendentalism is the Belief that knowledge is not limited to and solely derived from experience and observation (Clendenning). The solution to human problems lies in the free development if individual...
The relationship between man and nature is immeasurable because man and nature are interdependent on each other. Nature is everything that supports life on earth and man enjoys the beauty of nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in 1803 in Boston and he was teacher by profession and also a naturalist (Semihatopal, n.d). Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord in July 12th 1817 and he was an ecological prophet and also naturalist who was the student of Emerson. (Rickett, 1916). Emerson and Thoreau are the two transcendentalists in nineteenth century who inspired and encourage people to love nature. Since Thoreau was Emerson’s student, they shared ideas and knowledge about the American transcendentalism because Thoreau was affected by Emerson’s ideas about individualism and society. They encourage Individualism and self-reliance; the theories of Emerson and Thoreau had not only influenced the nature lovers but also the dominant part of political and social people as a whole, sensitising the people that their ideas are the most important than everything. Therefore, Emerson and Thoreau followed the same theory about the relationship between man and nature as both were transcendentalist; they also have different ideas and views such as writing essay on Government, nature as a teacher, relationship between man and nature, understanding the nature as it provides basic living to a man.
Emerson and Thoreau both were good writers and studied at the same college and both of them used a different technique to express their ideas and thoughts to the people. Emerson was born in 1803-1882, he lives in Massachusetts and studied at Harvard. He met Wordsworth, Coleridge and Carlye in England in 1883 and he was known for challenging traditional thoughts after he published his first book called “Nature” which is the best expression of his transcendentalism. Thoreau was born in 1817-1862. He lived in Massachusetts and studied at Harvard.