Anyhow, the movement was fathered by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He and his contemporaries--Thoreau, Fuller, Alcott, etc.--believed in experiencing the world for oneself and giving meaning to things through one's own perspective. They heavily supported individualism, but at the same time realized that we are all connected to each other, that each of our actions has an effect on others.
That's much less than even a sparknotes version of it all. I HIGHLY recommend reading Emerson's works, especially "Self-Reliance." Also, check up on some Thoreau while you're at it. (For an extremely epic experience, read "Self-Reliance" aloud while playing some Explosions in the Sky.)
Quotes for you to enjoy:
"Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
"Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.”
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
"Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
"Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”
I wrote a term paper on Emerson last year and it really helped me to put into context a lot of today's ideas. I agree that Transcendentalism still relates to our current society, especially in a world filled with distractions and technology. As much as I love my laptop, it's also great to enjoy nature and simplicity.
ReplyDeleteIf either of you are interested...I have a great YA novel called The Gospel According to Larry that touches upon this. The protagonist is an anti-consumerist who launches a web page (pre-blogging days) anonymously. He is eventually "outed" and the book makes many references to Thoreau. The book is called The Gospel According to Larry and is written by Janet Tashjian.
ReplyDeleteI think I've heard of that book before. It might just have to put it on my future reading list...
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