Transcendentalism; it goes beyond logic and social conformity to free ones soul. A panacea for insecurity and self doubt. It is the belief that one should value their thoughts and trust that their words are worthy, not to others, but themselves. People are constantly changing and learning new things, but are too petrified to show it. They conform to the “rules” of life and what is “acceptable.” But, who says what is acceptable? It is not written in stone by a trusted philosopher somewhere. One’s self should decide what is acceptable for them, not let society dictate what they can and cannot do. The main character, Chris McCandless in the novel, Into The Wild and Mr. Keating in Dead Poets Society portray the meaning of transcendentalism and what it is like to not conform to the guidelines of this world. Thomas Paine, the author of The Crisis, discusses how the human race is selfish, yet we conform to other people's standards. Transcendentalism is a key factor to not conforming to society and the bigots within it; Chris McCandless, Mr. Keating, and Thomas Paine all demonstrate the true meaning (and purpose,) of transcendentalism in their very different situations.
To begin, the novel, Into the …show more content…
Why is that? Why do people want self happiness, but change themselves for others? If people want to strive for their own dreams, they should not mold themselves into someone else. Thomas Paine writes, “Well! Give me peace in my day.’ Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent should have said, ‘If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace” (The Crisis 161). Humans must make the change in their lives while they can, and not let it be someone else’s guilt that they did not live their lives to the
To begin, the novel, Into the …show more content…
Why is that? Why do people want self happiness, but change themselves for others? If people want to strive for their own dreams, they should not mold themselves into someone else. Thomas Paine writes, “Well! Give me peace in my day.’ Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent should have said, ‘If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace” (The Crisis 161). Humans must make the change in their lives while they can, and not let it be someone else’s guilt that they did not live their lives to the