Emerson and Transcendentalism

Tim St. Amour

Mrs. McKenny

English 10 Honors

May 15, 2000

Transcendentalism and Ralph Waldo Emerson

So what is Transcendentalism anyway and how have men 's thoughts and outlooks been able make it what it is remembered as?

I. Ralph Waldo Emerson

A. Emerson 's Life

1. Childhood

2. Adulthood

B. Emerson 's thoughts and views

1. Thoughts on resolutions

2. Views of people

3. Feelings about the universe and soul

II. Transcendentalism

A. History

1. When it occurred

a. what was going on around the time of transcendentalism?

b. How did these events affect its development

2. Where it comes from

a. where did Emerson get his ideas?

b. What cultures influenced the philosophy?

B. The movement

1. The transcendentalists

2. What views were they trying to influence upon Americans?

3. The Transcendental Club

a. Members

b. What was its purpose?

C. The Philosophy

1. What was Transcendentalism about?

2. What beliefs did transcendentalists have?

3. What about these beliefs did they try to influence upon people?

Transcendentalism and Ralph Waldo Emerson

?

Transcendentalism was a literary movement that began in the beginning of the 1800 's and lasted up until the Civil War. Ralph Waldo Emerson was a man whose views on life and the universe were intriguing and influential. Emerson, along with other great men, helped to mold what Transcendentalism was and what it was to become. Without these men, Transcendentalism would not have been anything. Nor would these men have been anything without this concept. So what is Transcendentalism anyway and how have men 's thoughts and outlooks been able make it what it is remembered as?

Transcendentalism was prominent in the cultural life of the U.S., especially in New England from 1836 to until just before the Civil War. The Revolutionary war had ended shortly before the time of Transcendentalism; therefore, Emerson had been influenced by

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