TranscendentalismTranscendentalism

Self-RelianceSelf-Reliance Emerson urges readers to do Emerson urges readers to do

the following:the following:Avoid following conformity of Avoid following conformity of the ideas of society and peers. the ideas of society and peers.

Instead of the usual, he urges Instead of the usual, he urges people: people: Think and act independently.Think and act independently.

Self-Reliance 391Self-Reliance 391 What does the passage about “trust thyself” What does the passage about “trust thyself”

tell you about Emerson’s belief in the tell you about Emerson’s belief in the importance of the individual?importance of the individual? He believes the individual’s importance is He believes the individual’s importance is

from God and people must honor it and from God and people must honor it and trust it. trust it.

What does Emerson believe about being true What does Emerson believe about being true to oneself?to oneself? It produces the best work and the most It produces the best work and the most

spiritual peace. spiritual peace.

Civil Disobedience 412Civil Disobedience 412 1. opinion1. opinion 2. That government is best that 2. That government is best that

governs least.governs least. 3. He would like to see it implemented 3. He would like to see it implemented

quickly and systematically. quickly and systematically. 4. A government that governs least. 4. A government that governs least. 5. When people are ready they will 5. When people are ready they will

dispense with government altogether. dispense with government altogether.

Civil DisobedienceCivil Disobedience 6. People should step forward and 6. People should step forward and

state what they want from government. state what they want from government. 7. opinion supported by text 7. opinion supported by text 8. Without a standing government, the 8. Without a standing government, the

nation cannot prepare itself for war, nation cannot prepare itself for war, cannot make plans for future needs, cannot make plans for future needs, and cannot organize elections.and cannot organize elections.

9. government provides schools, 9. government provides schools, protection, transportation systems, protection, transportation systems, military, etc.military, etc.

Nature and Self-RelianceNature and Self-ReliancePage 397: 1, 2, 3Page 397: 1, 2, 3

1. Transcendentalists have a deep 1. Transcendentalists have a deep love of nature and an interest in love of nature and an interest in humanity’s relationship to nature. humanity’s relationship to nature. Nature fills Emerson with great joy Nature fills Emerson with great joy and makes him feel like a child.and makes him feel like a child.

2. Transcendentalists believe in 2. Transcendentalists believe in honest speaking and trusting honest speaking and trusting intuition, which can change day to intuition, which can change day to day. day.

3. The image suggests the speaker 3. The image suggests the speaker sees all and allows him to blend in sees all and allows him to blend in with the universal over-soul. with the universal over-soul.

Walden Page 411Walden Page 411 2a. Avoid commitment to ownership.2a. Avoid commitment to ownership. 2b. All commitment creates restrictions 2b. All commitment creates restrictions

and demands.and demands. 4a. Small details “fritter away” or 4a. Small details “fritter away” or

waste our lives.waste our lives. 4b. Get rid of material possessions and 4b. Get rid of material possessions and

outside demands on their lives.outside demands on their lives. 5a. He hoped to experience the very 5a. He hoped to experience the very

essence of life or only what is needed. essence of life or only what is needed. 6a. Truth, justice, beauty of nature, 6a. Truth, justice, beauty of nature,

love and God.love and God.