Transcendentalism In Education

A student sits in an English classroom, listening to the teacher’s lecture about transcendentalism. The hands of the classroom clock seem to be barely moving. Despite the enthusiasm of the teacher and a few others, the student cannot relate to anything that is being taught. For example, after a class discussion of Emerson’s “Nature,” the student continues to feel apart from nature, finding it incompatible with a comfortable, modern lifestyle. Curious to understand how the presented ideas apply directly to his life, the student approaches the teacher after the bell and asks. The teacher, pausing for a few seconds, proposes the idea that people borrowed the concepts of independence and individuality from transcendentalism and still apply them …show more content…
Although Americans frequently bring it up and teach their children to embrace their unique qualities, the vast majority of the population nonetheless strives to adhere to societal norms. For example, people of all ages try to wear the most popular brands in order to conform with other people and seek their approval. Individuality is difficult to demonstrate today because of society’s conformist mindset, which makes transcendentalism incongruous with the modern …show more content…
Most people simply prefer the comfort of civilization, away from the natural world. Emerson and Thoreau thought the contrary; they both believed in nature’s ability to purify the person from the nonessential elements of life and to teach valuable lessons. Now, however, the people’s lack of appreciation or even disgust for nature make transcendentalism an unappealing philosophy. In my community, I know many people who have never visited the Grove, a local historic landmark, despite its proximity. In this forest, people like Emerson and Thoreau would see freedom from the corrupted society. The densely growing old oaks along with dozens of animals would give these people an opportunity to experience God directly because they believed in pantheism. Emerson and Thoreau would embrace the warmth of the sun, whose rays fought their way through the leafs of divine trees. A modern person views the same scenery in a significantly different way. Instead of enjoying the living creatures of the forest, the person quickly becomes annoyed at the constant buzzing and occasional stinging of insects. The warmth of the afternoon sun feels pleasant for a few minutes until the body begins producing sweat and the eyelids attempt to shield the eyes from the brightness. Instead of being free, the person would feel trapped and