Quote for the day (thanks to Ms. Petta):
"Always do what you are afraid to do."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Re-examine All You Have Been Told": Emerson, Whitman and Thoreau
TASK: What are the central themes of American Transcendentalism? After reading the writings of Emerson, Whitman, and Thoreau, write a synthesis essay 5-7 pages that defines and explains the central themes of american Transcendentalism. Support your discussion with evidence from the texts you have read. What implications can you draw from these readings that pertain to contemporary society?
DAY 1
In a quick write, write your first reactions to the task prompt. Add some notes of things you already know about these writers and Transcendentalism.
Go to American Transcendentalism web:
Read essay by Allan Sugg "Transcendentalist Principles from Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman in the film Dead Poets Society"
Dead Poets Society clip
Transcendental Forerunners
The Transcendental Legacy in Literature
The Transcendental Legacy in Philosophy and Religion
"Transcendental Disseminations: How a Movement Spread Its Ideas" by Robert Michael Ruehl, Syracuse University (2011)
"Heaven on Earth: the Legacy of 19th Century Transcendentalism as an Ecumenical Philosophy of Nature" by Meg Brulatour, VCU (1999)
"Heaven on Earth: the Legacy of 19th Century Transcendentalism as an Ecumenical Philosophy of Nature" by Meg Brulatour, VCU (1999)
The Transcendental Legacy in Political and Social Reform
The Transcendental Legacy in Film
Transcendentalist Principles from Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman in the film, The Dead Poets Society by Allan Sugg, Dalarna University
I do not know much at all about Transcendentalism. I've heard of the authors, but do not recall anything they have written. I only know the time period which was the mid 19th century. I feel as if I could learn a lot, because I don't really know anything about this...
ReplyDeleteI don't really know anything about transcendentalism, or at least enough to write an essay. I've heard of these people from quotes but not any that i can remember. I don't take APUSH or U.S.
ReplyDeleteI know absolutely nothing about transcendentalism. I cant wait to write a 7 page essay on it and I wish the essay was even longer. I love writing.
ReplyDeleteBefore this class I could have identified Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman as major writers of the transcendentalist movement. I have read parts of Leaves of Grass and Walden. I know that transcendentalism embodies the ideals of humanism. That's about it.
ReplyDeletei dont remember at all, like usual
ReplyDeletewell, this sucks! i hate writing essays. i have no idea and have never ever heard about transcendentalism. i know nothing about this. i dont have Mr. Bilofsky so i know even less. i have little hope that i will be able to write a 5-7 page essay on this.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the names Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman are extremely familiar to me, i have a limited amount of knowledge about these two or the transcendentalist movement. I do know that they were authors.
ReplyDeleteTranscendentalism is a movement that grew in popularity during the middle of the 1800s that taught, in order to comprehend something, you must first understand why it is what it is...if that makes any sense. Thoreau spent a long time in the "wilderness" at walden pond, in a small cabin philosophizing about stuff.
ReplyDeleteMy first reactions to the task were that i actually enjoy synthesis essays and the only author i'm really familiar with is Thoreau. I know he went into deeper thought on simple things. Transcendentalism is a fairly new topic to me.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of transcendentalism is sooooort of maaaaaybe that to understand something, you have to understand the REASON behind it. Maybe. I think. Other than that, I don't really know much about it. I've heard of Walt Whitman but that's ABOUT IT.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know much about transcendentalism, I do know a little about Thoreau as a writer and historical figure. I know/think that civil disobedience has a bit to do with it, also returning to our roots and living simply. It's sort of the basis for the hippy movement, the idea that material possessions are not everything and that you should just take what life gives you. That's may or not be true, I'm just going off of what I know about Thoreau.
ReplyDeleteLinguistically, it seems to mean that you transcend or rise above, or that you cross (trans) something... GO 4 YEARS OF LATIN!
Transcendentalism is a way of thinking that started in the late 1700's. It is similar to individualism and humanism. Much of the thinking is about improving yourself and expressing yourself creatively. Authors such as Thoreau and Emerson were humanists and transcendalists. Its like being true to yourself about the world. THats kinda all i know...
ReplyDeleteearly 1800's*
DeleteI believe Transcendentalism is a movement that occurred during the 1800s that changed a lot of view points. -Jack
ReplyDeleteI don't know too much about the transcendentalist movement, but I'm uncomfortable with admitting I don't know something, so I'll just pretend I do by using broad generalizations. The transcendentalist movement was an important time of change at the turn of the century involving - whoops, the babies are burning. Can't finish this comment. TIM I NEED MORE GASOLINE AND ZIP TIES.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely shocked at this task, I came into class expecting a easy day and this ruined everything. I will no longer be taking any more AP classes because of this particular AP class. On the flip-side I know absolutely nothing about transcendentalism (:
ReplyDeleteTranscendentalism was a literary and societal movement that took place in the mid-1800 's in the United States. The movement was initially a radically different way of looking at life, nature, and the human experience. The movement then grew to center around the writings of many of the contemporary transcendentalist writers like Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
ReplyDeleteI only know a little bit about transcendentalism and it's advocates. Henry David Thoreau moved moved to a small farm on the edge of Walden's Pond and cultivated beans. I know that he purposely went to prison to protest something and this was the big first civil disobedience thing. Transcendentalism is all about heightening your mind and being more in tune with nature and the world. I'm not exactly sure. Something like that.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know anything about Transcendentalism, other than hearing one or two of those authors names before. I can pretend to kn- oh wait the babies are burning. I have to go, the natives are here and they don't look happy. HURRY UP AND BURN THE CABINS SO WE CAN FLEE! THE BEARS ARE HERE! GOD SAVE US!
ReplyDelete