Ralph H. Baer

Once, America wins its independence from England, writers want to break away from the literary influence of Europe. The new era, of transcendentalism shapes society because writers became involved in describing social reform movements, women’s rights, anti-slavery, and they use “logical thinking” and “experimentation” to make assumptions about spirituality, religion, and nature (Johnson Lewis). The Romantic era, brings about new points of view because people do not want to think about the…

In the excerpt from the second chapter of Walden titled “Where I Lived and What I Lived For,” Thoreau crafts an intricate argument which advocates for self-realization within every individual. A specific line stood out to me which stated, "The beauty of nature reforms itself in the mind, and not for barren contemplation, but for new creation." Through this quote, the gears in my head started rolling again as they had laid in slumber for a rather long a period time. In my short time here on earth…

“Obviously we can’t all run away to the woods like Thoreau and live the life of a hermit but we can try to find our own special Walden, wherever that may be, and commit to doing our very best. We must never forget that Walden is not just a geographical point somewhere in the New England landscape but a state of mind, an attitude of simple living that can be transported anywhere, anytime, if we so decide.”(Lewin, Michael) Michael Lewin stated the unquestionable fact that while life is forever…

(An Analysis of Thoreau’s Walden) Henry David Thoreau once said, “All good things are wild, and free.” He seemed to believe this philosophy strongly, considering he lived freely in the wild alone for two years. While Thoreau was in his homemade cabin in the mountains, he wrote a book titled Walden. The text was a personal account reciting experiences and revelations. Thoreau discovered many things about himself, society, the world, and life. There are three main themes in Thoreau’s Walden that…

Transcendentalism can be described as the desire to do what your conscience tells you is right instead of what the society does. In the film The Dead Poets Society, Romanticism is an emotion which has dominated logic and intellect; bring out the theme of transcendentalism in the film. This essay will discuss romanticism and transcendentalism portrayed in the film and Nature, Self-reliance, Walden and Resistance to Civil Government. The boys in the film are encouraged to look at things in their…

Words of the Beating Heart: An Analysis of Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” Walt Whitman once poetically proclaimed, “Every moment of light and dark is a miracle.” (Whitman Brainyquote). This is just one of thousands the of thoughts that he and many authors shared during this time period. Furthermore, he played a great role in the transcendentalism literary movement, which was a point in history when authors expressed themselves through the simplicity of nature. Consequently, they viewed the…

departed due to differences between him and the superintendent. Henry started his own school, also named The Concord Academy, from 1838 to 1841 with his brother John. After having to close it because his brother fell ill he stayed with his neighbor Ralph Waldo Emerson from 1841 to 1843. While spending time with Emerson, Thoreau became engulfed in Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism was influenced by…

Societal Conformity Henry David Thoreau and others who rebel against the norm of societal conformity must accept the consequences that entail. During the Transcendentalist era of writing, writers such as Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, and Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote about demonstrating how an individual must rebel against societal conformity in order to seize the day, but yet willingly accept the consequences it entails. Whitman and Emerson did not take as much action upon their…

John Dalton was born September 6, 1766. He was born in Eaglesfield, England. His parents, Joseph Dalton and Deborah Greenup, were both Quakers which limited many opportunities. Quakers, like many other religions at the time, were not approved of by Catholics. Dalton had two siblings, a sister named Mary and a brother named Jonathon. Jonathon and John both were afflicted with colorblindness. When he was fifteen John and his brother helped a school for Quakers, which they previously attended, in a…

The authors Emerson, Thoreau, Krakauer, and Donovan share many ideas and themes in their writing. Emerson and Thoreau are the founders of transcendentalism. Krakauer and Donovan have their own works that relate to the tenets of transcendentalism. The works of these authors share the ideas of individuality and self-reliance. The following paragraphs will explain the works of these authors and how they relate to individuality and self-reliance. Emerson and Thoreau are stark followers of…