Transcendentalism is a literary and philosophical movement based on the idea that a spiritual reality transcends the empirical and scientific. Due to it’s focuses on the ideals of nature, nonconformity, and individualism, it is also known as the Modern Renaissance which began in the early 1800’s and ended in the 1860’s. Transcendentalists were critics of their contemporary society because of its unconformity thinking and urged people to find their relation in the universe. Despite the fact that this era has come to an end, Transcendentalism can still be found in today’s society through modern media. To be misunderstood was a virtue to the followers of Transcendentalists. Originality and individuality were seen as the most valuable characteristics
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Getting married, having children, and working an office job is not for everyone. People are manipulated by society’s standards to believe life must be lived in a certain way in order to achieve happiness. The rock band, Radiohead, explains their frustration with the controlled population, “A job that slowly kills you. Bruises that won't heal. You look so tired, unhappy. Bring down the government. They don't, they don't speak for us. I'll take a quiet life.” in their song “No Surprises” from their album OK Computer. Individuality fades when faced with unoriginal ideas and fake ideas, yet, people are complacent with it. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers, not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. is not the way to live. Much the same as Radiohead, Thoreau disagreed with the structure of living conditions. He did not support the suffering of the mind, “It is remarkable how easily and insensible yew fall into a particular route, and make a beaten track for ourselves.” (Thoreau ) influenced by the social norms placed upon civilians. Distracted by accomplishments, people complicate situations and constructs, yet complain about the unenforced path. The Transcendentalists lived and believed in simple, easy lives unlike modern society who reinforce unreasonable complex lives. Transcendentalism is about self-realization and and relief to reach pure happiness.
The philosophy still exists today in several different ways, but tends to blend in with our everyday lives. A generation of talented authors has influenced skillful artists to continue with the Transcendentalist idea and make them into their
Getting married, having children, and working an office job is not for everyone. People are manipulated by society’s standards to believe life must be lived in a certain way in order to achieve happiness. The rock band, Radiohead, explains their frustration with the controlled population, “A job that slowly kills you. Bruises that won't heal. You look so tired, unhappy. Bring down the government. They don't, they don't speak for us. I'll take a quiet life.” in their song “No Surprises” from their album OK Computer. Individuality fades when faced with unoriginal ideas and fake ideas, yet, people are complacent with it. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers, not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. is not the way to live. Much the same as Radiohead, Thoreau disagreed with the structure of living conditions. He did not support the suffering of the mind, “It is remarkable how easily and insensible yew fall into a particular route, and make a beaten track for ourselves.” (Thoreau ) influenced by the social norms placed upon civilians. Distracted by accomplishments, people complicate situations and constructs, yet complain about the unenforced path. The Transcendentalists lived and believed in simple, easy lives unlike modern society who reinforce unreasonable complex lives. Transcendentalism is about self-realization and and relief to reach pure happiness.
The philosophy still exists today in several different ways, but tends to blend in with our everyday lives. A generation of talented authors has influenced skillful artists to continue with the Transcendentalist idea and make them into their