Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay

Those who think transcendentalism is just a literary movement that took place in the early 1800s be but half(prenominal) correct. transcendentalism is indeed a literary movement however, it is much much than that. It is meant to challenge pack to think for themselves and cause change. Authors such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, heat content David Thoreau, Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee taught the importance of non-conformity and civil disobedience through short stories such as Self Reliance and On the Duty of Civil noncompliance, and the play, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail.Transcendentalism is based on the opinion that companionship is derived from experience and personal reflection as opposed to reason. Transcendentalism promotes self-revelation because it encourages good deal to form their let opinions and then(prenominal) voice them in a way that will promote change in society. Transcendentalists ground their philosophy with the vagary that every persons inner self is where knowledge is gained.In Ralph Waldo Emersons Self Reliance, he says, What I essentialiness do is all that concerns me, not what the hoi polloi thinkIt is blue in the world to live after the worlds opinion it is easy in solitude to live after our own further the massive man is he who in the midst of the bear on keeps with perfect bouquet the independence of solitude. Emerson realizes that it is easy to conform to society, but there is value in forming ones own opinion. What makes a person great is if he or she can stand emerge in a gathering of flock.While in a crowd, one can see the boilers suit ideas of the group but never the individual thoughts that made up these ideas. Emerson is grammatical construction that to be great, one must be able to be with the crowd physically, but mentally remain ones own person with their own ideas. Because Transcendentalism values individual opinions, it is also important to heap such as Henry David Thoreau that everyone, specially the authorities, is open to other peoples opinions.In On the Duty of Civil Disobedience Thoreau says, There will never be a really free and enlightened take until the State espouses to recognize the individual as a higher and independent antecedent and treats him accordingly. Thoreau understands that citizens should be able to influence the government and cause change. To do this, the government needs to treat its citizens with respect. Politicians and other government workers need to do outside with their pride and listen to what is really important- the citizens. When people can form their own opinions, respect others opinions, and voice their opinions, there will be harmony.In Transcendentalism, people ar encouraged not only to form their own opinions, but to voice them as well. Thoreau tells everyone to make known what kind of government would domination his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it (Thoreau). He supports transcendentalism by enco uraging people to stand up and talk about their opinions. Thoreau understands that change, especially in government can only occur when individuals make their opinions heard. During his life, Thoreau challenged the idea of slavery, government corruption, payment of taxes, and the Mexican-American War.In The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Thoreau is talk of the town to his old professor about how he should voice his discontent with the Mexican-American War. When Thoreaus professor asks when he should voice his opinion Thoreau yells, NOW A family ago was too late Ill get you an audience. This afternoon. At harmonize Square (Lawrence and Lee 89). In the play, Thoreau expresses that opinions are no good if they are not proclaimed to the world. If opinions are not voiced they cannot be heard.Transcendentalism values individual opinions and acknowledges that voicing them is crucial if they are vent to head change in their society. Transcendentalists agree that self-revelation is waste d if it is not voiced and then heard and thereby causing change. During The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Thoreau spends a small amount of time as a schoolteacher. While Thoreau is a schoolteacher, he gets into trouble with the schoolmaster because he lets his kids Huckleberry in order to lift to a conclusion in a class discussion.After he gets in trouble Thoreau sarcastically tells his students, You must not listen to a cricket or smell a flower that has not been approved by the School Committee. Youd better close both ears and tame your nose- though you may have to grow an extra hand to do it (Lawrence and Lee 20). In this instance, Thoreau is trying to address out against the strict insurance policy of the school committee. He sees that the policy is unfair and that students should be able to decide in a way that is effective for them.By speaking out against the school committee, Thoreau is opening up the possibility for a reform in the education constitution. Thoreau sees that there is an opportunity to promote change so he takes it and speaks his opinion. According to Thoreau and other transcendentalists, the government needs to be ameliorated. Thoreau says, The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally unresistant to be abused and perverted before the people can knead through it (Thoreau). Transcendentalists agree that the government usually does not work for the people it is protecting.However, they do realize that it is necessary for the survival of the United States. Thoreau is encouraging people to take a stand against the current government, which he hopes will transmit to a reform that will empower people to demand much influence in politics. Transcendentalism emphasizes that individuals need to voice their opinions if change is sledding to occur. According to Transcendentalists, promoting change in society occurs through self-revelation. There must be free thinking people in the world who are willing to make their voice heard if change is ever going to occur.Today many people think that the American school system is something that needs to be reformed. There is a problem if most students are no longer engaged and excited to go to school. Transcendentalists would say that students should be learning things that are interesting to them and cause them to think beyond what is beingness taught. Students should be encouraged to investigate and debate ideas in order to come up with their own. If America were still in the Transcendentalism time period, people would be insisting on these types of changes. They know that if they do not speak out, nothing will happen.