ipl-logo

Role Of Transcendentalism In Modern Society

1060 Words5 Pages

Transcendental ideals are relevant to transcendentalists, but no longer valued in modern American life; transcendentalists are against materialism and hierarchies in society, whereas modern American life is built on hierarchies and the unremitting desire to acquire more and live a garish lifestyle. Transcendentalists live minimally, while most modern Americans strive to be successful and gain as much as possible. There is nothing wrong with pursuing success and wealth, but many transcendentalists see that type of lifestyle as monotonous and insignificant. Due to the hunt for prosperity and materials in modern America, transcendentalism is no longer relevant.
In today’s society, there are numerous structures that are relied on to keep America …show more content…

The ones with the most experience and work ethic make it. As an adult, there is no time for acting childish, you must be mature. These are a few of the philosophies believed by modern American adults that you must contain to be a successful individual. Transcendentalists believe the opposite, which can be seen in Ralph Waldo’s essay, “Nature”, “The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood,” ( Emerson).Transcendentalists believe those closest to nature are actually the most successful, and in order to be close to nature you must have kept your childish spirit into adulthood. Being close to nature is the ultimate objective of a transcendentalist. They see it as better than anything you could ever buy or acquire by working a job. They also believe to be close to nature you must have the heart of a child, which is not something many adults in modern America long to possess. Transcendentalists pursue purity by trying to not be influenced by man and materialistic things; they live minimally off of nature and believe materialistic objects are gratuitous. Most modern Americans chase materialistic things, making the transcendental idea of purity through nature and the countenance of minimal materials irrelevant to most modern …show more content…

A friend of Bryant, Thomas Cole, is moving from the vast nature filled plains of America to the crowded streets of Europe. Bryant is telling his friend to enjoy the new scenery and opportunities, but to not forget his home. It seems that the poet almost puts a negative connotation on Europe, calling it “fair but different,” showing his penchant for American transcendentalism (Bryant 554). Thomas Cole’s move to learn about new things and gain knowledge can almost show the abandonment of transcendental ideals and the shift to modern American life, where most people pursue jobs and social opportunities. He is leaving behind the nature of America and joining the hustle and bustle of the cities of Europe. This transition shows how over time transcendental ideals have become less and less valuable, because of people’s desire to gain opportunities and have

Show More
Related

  • 'Transcendentalism In Gary Keillor's Self-Reliance'

    564 Words  | 3 Pages

    Transcendentalism is a major romantic movement during the 19th century. It was a period of romance where people learned to love themselves. The poem Self-Reliance, is by Ralph Waldo Emerson. In this excerpt, he emphasizes the traits of being a transcendentalist. The selection Tia Chucha, is by Luis Rodriguez.

    Read More

  • Use Of Modern Day Transcendentalism In Into The Wild, By Jon Krakauer

    700 Words  | 3 Pages

    Possibly depression, bipolar disorder or a psychological illness? Are they clever enough to avoid any illusion or hallucination one may experience for being a transcendental. The book “Into the Wild” has great representation of modern-day transcendentalist, the author, Jon Krakauer was introduced into mountain climbing,

    Read More

  • Transcendentalism In Into The Wild, By Jon Krakauer

    849 Words  | 4 Pages

    The ideas behind Transcendentalism have been shown to have had many negative effects on the mental health of the individual, the physical health of the individual, and the idea of government overthrow. To begin, a

    Read More

  • Chris Mccandless Transcendentalism

    988 Words  | 4 Pages

    "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.”- Henry David Thoreau. Transcendentalism is an American philosophy that revolves around self-reliance and independence, commonly in nature, a Transcendentalist wants to find the true meaning in life. I believe that Chris McCandless was a Transcendentalist because he was able to leave his whole life behind and take on a minimalist lifestyle while having a strong relationship with god. However, I believe that I am not a Transcendentalist, but simply an adventurer.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Transcendentalism In Dead Poets Society

    1080 Words  | 5 Pages

    I feel that their are some people in the world who love transcendentalism and try to live their lives by the traits but then other people don 't even realize what it is but still use it in everyday life. Transcendentalism is a very interesting and cool way to

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Transcendentalism And The Second Great Awakening

    228 Words  | 1 Pages

    Transcendentalism is a highly competitive world of the market revolution which strongly encouraged the identification of American freedom without any restraints on people who were seeking financial improvement and personal development. It was a world in which regional developments along with the market revolution crushed traditional and social borders. For example moving from one place to another was a common characteristic of the American life. Transcendentalism believed in individual judgment over existing social traditions and institutions.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Krakauer And Chris Mccandless

    745 Words  | 3 Pages

    Society’s Creation Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that protests culture and society. Toward the end of Chris McCandless’s life he started to show many signs of a transcendentalist. Unlike Thoreau Chris was not in it for his love of nature, but to free himself from a corrupt world and a bitter society. " So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future." (Krakauer p. 57) McCandless and Thoreau both idealized the American wilderness and shared the same thought that living a less materialistic lifestyle would positively affect ones being.

    Read More

  • The Film Wall-E: Traits Of Transcendentalism

    509 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the 1830s, an intellectual movement took place called Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism is the idea that an individual is the center of the universe and is more powerful than any institution. This way of thinking was very new to the people during that time. Even though the movement took place well over one hundred years ago, traits of Transcendentalism are still abundant in society today. For example, the movie Wall-E contains many traits of Transcendentalism.

    Read More

  • Dead Poets Society: Examples Of Transcendentalism In Dead Poet Society

    984 Words  | 4 Pages

    Dead Poets Society Transcendentalism is about life in which nature and the soul connect. In the movie Dead Poet Society, one of the characters who shows transcendentalism in Neil Perry. In the movie the students quoted poems and had their alone time with nature. They also relied on themselves and sought the spiritual side of things.

    Read More

  • Comparing Mccandless And Henry David Thoreau

    790 Words  | 4 Pages

    The bold and brash approach on life by transcendentalists was truly an ambitious lifestyle. Such individuals like Henry David Thoreau, Chris McCandless, and Jon Krakauer have renounced all of their mainstream agendas to lead a more fundamental life, but not without the criticism other have faced. The actions portrayed in their novels demonstrate how important it is to incorporate others’ ideas when one’s own choices. As the world was in the midst of transforming, Henry David Thoreau yearned to yield away from the evolving world, as he considered them corrupt opportunists who are deprived of their true nature.

    Read More

  • Essay On Transcendentalism In Into The Wild

    866 Words  | 4 Pages

    The key to transcendentalism is confidence in a person’s own beliefs, but one more could be

    Read More

  • Comparing Letters From An American Farmer And Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography

    948 Words  | 4 Pages

    Final exam Earlier in the semester we were introduced to John De Crevecoeur’s letters from an American Farmer and Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography. The two books both had strong opinions about what American and what the “New Man” was in American during the 18th century. In the 18th century Benjamin franklin was the man who invented the American dream for many people. His Dream was that through hard work and honesty any man can gain respect in the community; along with deserving prosperity and economic protection. he also believed that American was a place where you could come and have a new start.

    Read More

  • Comparing Emerson And Henry David Thoreau

    1159 Words  | 5 Pages

    Transcendentalist writers were focused on the belief of the divinity of the individual soul, the inner voice, (Crawford, Kern & Needleman, 1961) to overcome social stereotypes and to avoid conformity. It is highlighted the importance to return to nature to enhance the quality of humans beings by living simply since being apart of common social rules is the only way to be in communion with nature’s wisdom. Those transcendental characteristics could be seen in Emerson’s ¨self-reliance¨ or Thoreau’s ¨Walden ¨ bearing in mind that although, Emerson’s ¨Self-reliance¨ adheres more descriptive examples to illustrate metaphors and Thoreau’s ¨Where I lived and what I lived for¨ introduces metaphors creating much more imagery, both make a critique of the modern individual using

    Read More

  • Ralph Waldo Emerson's Beliefs Of Transcendentalism

    1066 Words  | 5 Pages

    Transcendentalism is the belief that man is inherently good, is an independent thinker, and goes out into nature to get in touch with himself. Generally, man has good intentions and intends no harm unto others. In addition, man does not need society to give him and develop his thoughts, as he already has them within. To help bring out these already installed beliefs, man has the desire to go out into nature to get in touch with himself and find deeper notions within. In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s writings “Self Reliance” and “American Scholar”, he writes about how being a true individual means that one must have his own beliefs, and not copy someone else’s ideas.

    Read More

  • Walden Transcendentalism Analysis

    637 Words  | 3 Pages

    Transcendentalism, a philosophical and social movement, demonstrated how divinity spreads through all nature and humanity. One of the main ideals of transcendentalism, living simply and independently, define as the principle. In matters of financial and interpersonal relations, independence projects as more valuable than neediness. Henry david Thoreau elaborates on these transcendentalist ideals when he travels into the woods and writes an essay.

    Read More

More about Role Of Transcendentalism In Modern Society

Open Document