Chris McCandless was a young man who had a penchant for adventure and living unconventionally. Unlike most Americans, McCandless did not deem wealth, government, and other worldly concepts as vital components in life. Instead, McCandless lived an eccentric lifestyle; McCandless’ outlook on life relates to the views of modern transcendentalism. Transcendentalists are philosophers who believe in order to live a successful life one must live by challenging experience and not conforming to society. Famous transcendentalists, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, framed the foundation of the belief. Emerson’s and Thoreau’s views on transcendentalism contain similar elements that all transcendentalists share; the reoccurring components
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Nature is not given enough credit for its beauty and the significant roles it plays in everyday life. Transcendentalists value nature and all of its characteristics and gifts that it gives. Thoreau wrote, “To anticipate, not the sunrise and the dawn, but, if possible, Nature herself” (767). Rather than focusing on the two most notorious aspects of nature, “sunrise” and “dawn”, think about nature as a whole and appreciate the beauty within it. The relationship between humans and nature is a give and take. Nature thrives if humans treat it with respect, but it suffers if humans disregard its importance. Emerson stated, “Its nature is satisfied, and it satisfies nature, in all moments alike” (595). This passage emphasizes the relationship between nature and humans; it shows the mutual give and take of the relationship. When one variable is satisfied, the other is as well. Nature is all around us and always will be. Another twentieth century advocate, Edward O. Wilson, wrote, “…nature is ours to explore forever; it is our crucible and refuge; it is our natural home; it is all these things” (Wilson 791). Nature being called a “refuge” and “natural home” shows the relationship between transcendentalism and nature. “Refuge” is a safe and protected place. Wilson is trying to convey that nature cannot harm one; it is a shelter and “natural home”. Nature plays an important role in the lives of transcendentalists and should be valued at all
Nature is not given enough credit for its beauty and the significant roles it plays in everyday life. Transcendentalists value nature and all of its characteristics and gifts that it gives. Thoreau wrote, “To anticipate, not the sunrise and the dawn, but, if possible, Nature herself” (767). Rather than focusing on the two most notorious aspects of nature, “sunrise” and “dawn”, think about nature as a whole and appreciate the beauty within it. The relationship between humans and nature is a give and take. Nature thrives if humans treat it with respect, but it suffers if humans disregard its importance. Emerson stated, “Its nature is satisfied, and it satisfies nature, in all moments alike” (595). This passage emphasizes the relationship between nature and humans; it shows the mutual give and take of the relationship. When one variable is satisfied, the other is as well. Nature is all around us and always will be. Another twentieth century advocate, Edward O. Wilson, wrote, “…nature is ours to explore forever; it is our crucible and refuge; it is our natural home; it is all these things” (Wilson 791). Nature being called a “refuge” and “natural home” shows the relationship between transcendentalism and nature. “Refuge” is a safe and protected place. Wilson is trying to convey that nature cannot harm one; it is a shelter and “natural home”. Nature plays an important role in the lives of transcendentalists and should be valued at all