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Transcendentalism In Emerson And Thoreau

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Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement that occurred in America after the enlightenment and before the civil war. Transcendental authors espoused closeness with nature while at the same time nonconformity with mainstream society. Comparing and contrasting the bonds that these writers promoted by using details from several works of literature is intriguing. Transcendental authors like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau share their ideas towards nature. The works of literature from Emerson and Thoreau explain their connection to god through nature. A example from “Nature” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson says “ I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or parcel of god”. What Emerson means by this is he becomes invisible to himself and as he is invisible he can see all that is happening around him. Another quote by Emerson is “Standing on the bare ground-my head bathed by the blithe air and uplifted into infinite space-all mean egotism vanishes”. What Emerson means from this is that he can see all and feel all from touching nature. A example from Walden written by Henry David Thoreau is “The life in us is like the water in a river”. What Thoreau means is that life flows threw him like water does a river. Another quote is “That if one advances confidently in …show more content…

You can look at the two author a compare what they promote together and what they don't see eye to eye on.These two transcendental author seem to promote looking at God through nature. They seemed to disagree on their relationship with society. They agree with seeing nature in god but don't see each other in society aspect because of what they believe in. Henry David Thoreau wants you to be a independent person who only worries about being yourself while Ralph Waldo Emerson wants you to see god through nature and see who you really are and what you can

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