Transcendentalism

=//__Definition__//= ===A philisophical and literary movement initiated by Ralph W. Emerson that developed during the Romantic Period which views that the basic truths of the universe lie beyond the knowledge we obtain from our senses. [|For more information, Click Here]===

=__//History Connection//__=

===Transcendentalism first emerged in 1836 and lasted until about 1860. It flourished in the mid-ninteenth century. This movement grew out of Christian Unitarianism (1830) and was greatly influenced by British and German __Romanticism__//.// //See more Romanticism// [|here]===

=__//Important Authors & works//__=
 * 1) ===__Ralph W. Emerson__ (1803-1882) - Emerson first started the Trascendentalism movementin 1836. He published the first books that put forth the ideas of Transcendentalists. Here for more info.===
 * ===//__"Nature"__// : Began the movement of Transcendentalism in 1836. It was Emerson's first published book and it took 6 years for 500 copies to sell out.===

[[image:nature.jpg width="109" height="112" align="center" caption=""Nature""]]
===2. __Henry D. Thoreau (1817-1862)-__ an associate of Emerson who also helped the movement of Transcendentalism. He wrote several important books, including __Walden__. Here for more info.===
 * ===__"Walden"__ : Henry Thoreau's most famous piece of literature thatwas published in 1854. It has no definite structure, but it goes over many themes and ideas of Transcendentalism using many forms of symbolism.===

=__//Common Themes//__=


 * Basic truths of the universe lie beyond the knowledge we obtain from our senses
 * Similar themes as Romanticism
 * Different from Puritan beliefs such that everyone was given the ability to connect to God
 * Freedom
 * Democracy
 * Connection between nature and soul
 * Noncomformity
 * Self-Reliance
 * Free thought

=__//Common Techniques and/or Style//__= ===Transcendentalism has many styles and techniques similar to Romanticism. Some things include the importance of emotions and the individual. Also, it concentrates on the fact that peoples' intuition would guide them to make the right decisions. It focuses heavily on the individual in society, not the society itself. Also, many themes of nature and its role in peoples' lives are attributions in this style of writing.===

=__//Reason for Decline or Change//__= ===The theme and message that Transcendentalism gives is a very powerful one that involves a very deticated mindset. Many authors could not continue to have passion for this movement and started to not write as strongly about it. Many authors were lacking "spiritual discipline" according to Emerson's standards. This caused the power of Transcendentalism to decline and eventually dissapear.===