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Short Essay On Transcendentalism

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Recommended: Concept of Transcendentalism by Ralph Waldo's Emerson and Henry David

There are many schools of thought that look for a connection between nature and God. One school that deals with this matter rather strongly is Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism was started by Ralph Waldo Emerson and later acquired Henry David Thoreau who helped contribute in writing and action to the transcendental movement. The theories put forth by this movement focused strongly on the individuality of the person, not conforming to government or organized religion, and, of course, the unity of man and God through nature. These ideas came forth from the four readings presented in class, but the unifying factor between them was their urging to become one with nature so that man can know truth. Even with transcendentalism gone, the idea …show more content…

Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience after being jailed for one night due to not paying a poll tax. This inspired him to write about all of the pitfalls of government and how man must be freed. Thoreau strongly believes that the government possesses too much power and “can there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong” (Thoreau1 392). As is stated, Thoreau believed the government decided right and wrong when the people already possess the knowledge from the divine to know what they ought to do. The government is removing the link between man and the divine. Another aspect that angered Thoreau was the fact that “Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them” (393). This again goes along with the belief that man has the ability to know what is just, given by God, and does not need a government to decide for them how to live, especially when those ways are not true. In summation, Thoreau wants the government to lose the power it holds over the people so they can practice the morality and justice they know to be true due to man's connection with the

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Throughout the writing of “Civil Disobedience,” Thoreau often referred back to his idea that he supported which was “That government is best which governs not at all.” (Thoreau) In the passage, Thoreau believed that the government does not have a conscience. He talked about not wanting to pay the government poll tax, which in result, caused him to be thrown into jail. A poll tax is just a tax on a person for existing, therefore, everyone had to pay the same amount regardless of the value of their possessions.

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Government laws are necessary for our communities because if people do not agree with the government, it does not mean government decision are incorrect. In “Civil Disobedience,” Thoreau talks about government and points out the flaws in the government system. On the other hand, in “ The Grapes of Wrath,” Steinbeck talk on the birth of civilization from physical and governmental issues. Although, many cases Thoreau and Steinbeck perspectives on government contradicts with each other however they both share similar thoughts about self-government.

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In the 19th and 20th century transcendentalism was a new and exciting topic that caused tremendous controversy. In the novel Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Chris McCandless was a man with a very unique character. In more detailed words Chris McCandless was a transcendentalist. His actions and moods played a big part in his life, from beginning to end. He was a transcendentalist because of his self-reliance, confidence and non-conformity.

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Throughout history there have been many political changes that are either supported, or not, by citizens. In the given passage from, "Civil Disobedience," by Thoreau, a perspective of disagreeing with the government ways, is provided. Thoreau explains how a government should be in comparison to how it really is by utilizing his words to set the tone and mode, imagery to achieve his audience's understanding, and diction to make his writing scholarly. Although tone and mode are not directly stated, you can infer that Thoreau meant for his writing to be taken as serious and powerful. His implementation of words such as, "inexpedient," "execute," " integrity," and "command," makes one think about their lawful rights and reflect on what rights are supported or

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The main similarity in the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Henry David Thoreau is the idea of revolution against an abusive government. The main difference is the context in which each document was written, the Declaration of Independence as the colonies were rebelling against Great Britain and forming their own government, and Civil Disobedience as criticisms of the government developed within nearly seventy-five years after the signing of the Declaration. Both Jefferson and Thoreau share ideas of revolution, although overthrowing the government is seen in many cases as illegal. Both documents share a common theme of revolution, and both authors believe the best way to move toward a better government is civil disobedience. Jefferson and Thoreau believe that whether it is the struggle for independence or being freed from injustices of the government, civil disobedience and revolution are necessary in order to live in a society based on freedom.

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The key to deconstructing Thoreau's argument is to understand his hierarchy of government and the individual. Thoreau's ideal communion between the individual and the state is manifest by the individual as a "higher and independent power". This relationship is entertained in Civil Disobedience in the analysis of Thoreau's 1846 imprisonment, in which Thoreau demonstrated freedom as an internal and subjective

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Thoreau’s view on the society as he states, “In most cases there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve the purpose as well” go to show that it was harder to have individuality and to refuse the governments ways. Now-a-days the practice of civil disobedience has allowed citizens to practice non-conformity with the protection of amendments but back then while the nation was just growing they had to have more power and that, “so long as the interest of the whole society requires it, that is, so long as the established government cannot be resisted or changed without public inconveniency, it is the will of God that the established government be obeyed, and no longer" as quoted by Paley. The society was most likely pushed towards acceptance of the government and weren’t as self-reliant to make change in their

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The complex notion of there being ‘bad’ and ‘good’ people was not the main focus for Americans during the 1800s, simply because humans tended to make those assumptions on their own. The highly debated topic at the time and even now is the question of whether evil had already pre-existed in humans or if it was perpetuated through society. Anti-transcendentalism and its opposite, transcendentalism, are on opposing ends of the debate. Many authors’ writing, such as Nathanial Hawthorne’s, strongly resonates with Anti-transcendentalist views, which happened to be one of his strongest influences during his time. Anti-transcendentalism is a pessimistic philosophy, characterized by focusing on human flaws, and found its way into the writings of many

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