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Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Transcendentalist Movement

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Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Transcendentalist Movement
“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson summarizes almost perfectly the Transcendentalist movement, for which he was the central guiding figure. Transcendentalism is a literary, spiritual, and social revolution based on the ideals of self-reliance, self-admiration, determination, and a loving connection with and a deep respect for nature and all its inhabitants. There were many other extremely influential and recognizable figures that took part in this movement, which started to gain popularity in the 1830’s and has an impact on society and culture even today. Transcendentalism got its start in New England, the region with the highest literacy rate in America
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