Comparing Emerson And David Thoreau

Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement that occurred in America around 1836 in reaction to rationalism. Transcendental authors embraced closeness with nature while at the same time misbelieving with mainstream society. There are many focuses on the compare and contrast of the bonds that Emerson and Thoreau encouraged by analysing details from several works of literature.

Transcendental authors, Ralph Emerson and David Thoreau expressed their thoughts about the relationship between people and Nature. In the essay, “Nature”, by Emerson and the essay, “Walden”, by Thoreau both explain how important it is to have a relationship with Nature. In “Nature”, Emerson stated, “I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God.” This quote explains how Emerson caresses the love for Nature that he doesn’t see it through his own human eyes, but through the eyes of freedom. He becomes so illogical with being nothing as long as he is close to God by Nature. In “Walden”, by Thoreau stated, “The life we have is like the water in the
Both authors explained how important it is to have a different way of life in Society in their essays, “Self-Reliance”, “Civil Disobedience”, and “Walden”. In “Self-Reliance”, Emerson stated, “A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise, shall give him no peace.” In this quote is explaining how a person should be individual because it will make you joyful to know you were different. It also explains that people will not have any peace to know that they are a follower instead of a leader. “Trust thyself; every heart vibrates to that iron string.”, in this quote Emerson was trying to get people to understand that people should trust themselves and shouldn’t care what others