Transcendentalism Reflective Essay
Taylor Stursa
Mrs. Grissinger
Advanced English 11
6 April 2015
Transcendentalism Reflective Essay
Transcendental refers to the idea that to determine the ultimate reality of God, the universe, and yourself, one must transcend, or go beyond, everyday human experience in the physical world. In hopes of spreading their ideas, Ralph Emerson and Henry Thoreau’s writings offered their transcendentalist views in the nineteenth century. Their books, articles, journals, and essays, presented ideas that I could specifically relate to myself and learn from. Prior to reading their works I analyzed situations much differently than I do now. Now, I have a significantly improved outlook on my life and the things that happen around me.
In
Walden
's opening chapter, “Economy,” Thoreau examines the tradeoffs we make in life, and asks himself, what are life's real necessities. In this chapter, Thoreau noted only four necessities: food, shelter, clothing, and energy. After reading this chapter, I thought back to when
I had gone camping years ago, leaving behind everything but the bare necessities of life. At the time, it felt like I would not survive, not having electricity or my own bathroom. I looked at things from a one point perspective, thinking my world was crashing down. After analyzing this chapter, I now am able to see I could not have been farther from the truth. I was too caught up in everyday human experiences and did not look at the “vital facts of life” (Thoreau 214) that were right in front of me. In reality, I had everything that was essential for living right but could not
see it. Having read
Walden
I am able to see this situation with a more optimistic perspective of a transcendentalist.
Through Emerson’s
Self Reliance he urges readers to trust their own intuition, rather
than being a conformist. In his essay he states, “Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.” (Emerson 210). For me, the
Mrs. Grissinger
Advanced English 11
6 April 2015
Transcendentalism Reflective Essay
Transcendental refers to the idea that to determine the ultimate reality of God, the universe, and yourself, one must transcend, or go beyond, everyday human experience in the physical world. In hopes of spreading their ideas, Ralph Emerson and Henry Thoreau’s writings offered their transcendentalist views in the nineteenth century. Their books, articles, journals, and essays, presented ideas that I could specifically relate to myself and learn from. Prior to reading their works I analyzed situations much differently than I do now. Now, I have a significantly improved outlook on my life and the things that happen around me.
In
Walden
's opening chapter, “Economy,” Thoreau examines the tradeoffs we make in life, and asks himself, what are life's real necessities. In this chapter, Thoreau noted only four necessities: food, shelter, clothing, and energy. After reading this chapter, I thought back to when
I had gone camping years ago, leaving behind everything but the bare necessities of life. At the time, it felt like I would not survive, not having electricity or my own bathroom. I looked at things from a one point perspective, thinking my world was crashing down. After analyzing this chapter, I now am able to see I could not have been farther from the truth. I was too caught up in everyday human experiences and did not look at the “vital facts of life” (Thoreau 214) that were right in front of me. In reality, I had everything that was essential for living right but could not
see it. Having read
Walden
I am able to see this situation with a more optimistic perspective of a transcendentalist.
Through Emerson’s
Self Reliance he urges readers to trust their own intuition, rather
than being a conformist. In his essay he states, “Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.” (Emerson 210). For me, the