Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay

Those who debate transcendentalism is but a literary movement that took bottom in the early 1800s be l unrivalledsome(prenominal) half correct. Transcendentalism is indeed a literary movement however, it is much to a peachyer extent than that. It is meant to challenge slew to infer for themselves and energize win over. Authors such(prenominal) as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin d holdwind taught the importance of non-con variety showity and civil disobedience by means of short stories such as ego assurance and On the duty of polished Disobedience, and the play, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail.Transcendentalism is based on the flavor that noesis is derived from experience and mortalal reflection as opposed to reason. Transcendentalism promotes self-revelation be suit it encourages muckle to form their own sagacitys and then interpretive program them in a way that nail out promote alternate in society. Transcendentali sts background noticeledge their philosophy with the idea that every souls inner self is where knowledge is gained.In Ralph Waldo Emersons Self Reliance, he says, What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the batch thinkIt is easy in the world to stick out after the worlds conviction it is easy in solitude to springy after our own but the coarse man is he who in the midst of the cluster keeps with perfect sweetness the license of solitude. Emerson realizes that it is easy to conform to society, but in that location is value in forming unmatcheds own opinion. What makes a person great is if he or she can patronize out in a crowd of stack.While in a crowd, star can see the overall ideas of the aggroup but never the singular thoughts that make up these ideas. Emerson is saying that to be great, one must be able to be with the crowd physically, but mentally wait ones own person with their own ideas. Because Transcendentalism values individual opinions, it is also important to flock such as Henry David Thoreau that everyone, especially the political relation, is afford to other rafts opinions.In On the Duty of Civil Disobedience Thoreau says, thither volition never be a rightfully free and enlightened render until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power and dos him accordingly. Thoreau understands that citizens should be able to influence the governing and cause smorgasbord. To do this, the government needs to treat its citizens with respect. Politicians and other government take a shiters need to do away with their pride and take c are to what is rattling important- the citizens. When people can form their own opinions, respect others opinions, and voice their opinions, there pass on be harmony.In Transcendentalism, people ar further not except to form their own opinions, but to voice them as well. Thoreau tells everyone to make known what kind of government would command his resp ect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it (Thoreau). He supports transcendentalism by encouraging people to stand up and talk nearly their opinions. Thoreau understands that change, especially in government can only eliminate when individuals make their opinions heard. During his life, Thoreau challenged the idea of slavery, government corruption, defrayal of taxes, and the Mexican-American War.In The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Thoreau is talking to his old professor about how he should voice his discontent with the Mexican-American War. When Thoreaus professor asks when he should voice his opinion Thoreau yells, NOW A year ago was too late Ill get you an audience. This afternoon. At Concord Square (Lawrence and downwind 89). In the play, Thoreau expresses that opinions are no neat if they are not proclaimed to the world. If opinions are not voiced they cannot be heard.Transcendentalism values individual opinions and acknowledges that voicing them is important if they are going to spearhead change in their society. Transcendentalists retain that self-revelation is wasted if it is not voiced and then heard and thereby causing change. During The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Thoreau spends a small amount of era as a domesticate dayteacher. While Thoreau is a schoolteacher, he gets into unhinge with the schoolmaster because he lets his kids Huckleberry in rank to come to a conclusion in a association discussion.After he gets in trouble Thoreau sarcastically tells his students, You must not listen to a cricket or heart a flower that has not been approve by the School Committee. Youd fall in close both ears and hold your nose- though you may have to grow an bare(a) hand to do it (Lawrence and Lee 20). In this instance, Thoreau is trying to speak out against the unyielding insurance policy of the school committee. He sees that the policy is unfair and that students should be able to analyse in a way that is useful for them.By speakin g out against the school committee, Thoreau is opening up the possibility for a reform in the education system. Thoreau sees that there is an opportunity to promote change so he takes it and speaks his opinion. According to Thoreau and other transcendentalists, the government needs to be ameliorated. Thoreau says, The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have elect to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it (Thoreau). Transcendentalists agree that the government usually does not work for the people it is protecting.However, they do realize that it is required for the survival of the United States. Thoreau is encouraging people to take a stand against the online government, which he hopes will lead to a reform that will empower people to demand more influence in politics. Transcendentalism emphasizes that individuals need to voice their opinions if change is going to occur. According to Transcendent alists, promoting change in society occurs through self-revelation. There must be free thinking people in the world who are will to make their voice heard if change is ever going to occur.Today many another(prenominal) people think that the American school system is something that needs to be reformed. There is a problem if most students are no longer engaged and frantic to go to school. Transcendentalists would say that students should be larn things that are interesting to them and cause them to think beyond what is being taught. Students should be encouraged to investigate and debate ideas in order to come up with their own. If America were electrostatic in the Transcendentalism time period, people would be insisting on these types of changes. They know that if they do not speak out, vigor will happen.