Two Examples Of Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism is a movement that believes in individualism and being separate from society’s standards. It was started by Emerson and his thoughts were shown throughout many texts. In the text “Self Reliance” Emerson states that individualism is when one makes his own decisions independently from others thoughts. Emerson inspired many men and one of them was Thoreau who went to the woods to live deliberately and be an individual. However, in the past 2 centuries our ability to be a complete individual has diminished along with our appreciation for nature and simplicity, which has led to a lesser appeal towards transcendentalism.

In Emerson’s “Self Reliance” he shows his passion for individualism and how it allows for one to truly find themselves. He says how each and every individual needs to avoid conformity. In today's world individualism is something that is rare.
In Walden, Thoreau says, “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.” By going to the woods Thoreau chose to live the simple life that only included daily activities that were necessary to live. Luxuries have now become a necessity in one’s life and that decreases the appeal for transcendentalism because they can never let go of it. Humans are now placing artificial value on objects more than ever before. It can be seen starting from a young age when kids want a phone or a playstation. They beg for it and once they get it, the technology means everything in the world to them. As they grow it up it gets worse and soon they are constantly competing with others to have the best. Materialism is taking over the lives of everyone today which in turn is leading to a less simplistic