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Transcendentalism in Literature: From Emily Dickinson to the Romantic Period



Transcendentalism in Literature: From Emily Dickinson to the Romantic Period

Transcendentalism was a movement in American literature that began in the mid-19th century. The main focus of transcendentalism was on the experience of nature and the uniqueness of the individual. Some of the most famous writers associated with transcendentalism are Emily Dickinson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau.

The primary inspiration for transcendentalism came from Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson believed that humans could reach a higher level of understanding through intuition and introspection. He encouraged people to use their own imagination to explore their thoughts and feelings. Many of the writers associated with transcendentalism shared Emerson’s views on philosophy and religion.

One of the best-known writers associated with transcendentalism is Walt Whitman. Whitman is considered to be one of the founders of American poetry. He wrote about nature in a poetic style that was inspired by Native American culture. Whitman’s work is often referred to as “the gospel according to Walt”.

During the Romantic Period, many writers associated with transcendentalism developed new techniques for writing poetry. They explored new ways to express their thoughts and emotions through symbolism and imagery. Some of the most famous authors during this period include Alfred Lord Tennyson and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

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Portrayals of transcendentalism in literature span from the early works of Emily Dickinson to works during the Romantic Period. Transcendentalism is a philosophical and religious movement that emphasizes the spiritual over the material. This movement is often associated with thinkers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller. Transcendentalists sought to connect with nature and find spirituality within themselves. They believed that humans could understand and experience the divine through intuition and self-reflection.

 

In Emily Dickinson’s work, transcendentalism is seen as an important part of her philosophy. She writes about transcendental experiences in her poems, which often depict nature as a source of inspiration. For example, in “The Snow Drop” she describes how a snowdrop is able to survive cold temperatures by withdrawing its energy: “it seems almost too small/for so much life within.” This poem shows how Dickinson connects nature with spiritual experiences.

During the Romantic Period, transcendentalism became more popular. Many writers wrote about how they were inspired by nature and found a spiritual connection there. Some of these writers include John Keats, William Wordsworth, and Percy Shelley. These writers used their poetry to explore the meaning of life and spirituality. They often used symbolism to communicate their ideas. For example, in “The World Is Too Much With Us” Keats writes about how he feels overwhelmed by the world: “Too much light! Too much glare! To be alive is quite

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In second grade, many students are introduced to transcendentalism through reading selections from the Romantic period. This is a time when poets like Emily Dickinson and William Wordsworth explore the depths of the human soul and express unique emotions through their work. transcendentalism is a philosophical and religious movement that emphasizes on intuition, conscience, and awareness over logic or reason. It was popularized in the mid-19th century by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. In this blog post, we will explore the origins of transcendentalism and some of its key tenets.

 

Transcendentalism began as a reaction to the materialism of mid-19th century America. Many of its key thinkers were disillusioned with the way society was changing and believed that only through self-reflection could people find meaning in life. Emerson called it “the highest species of American religion.” The movement stressed intuition over logic or reason and emphasized on the individual’s connection to nature. Some of its key tenets include:

 

1. The belief in innate spiritual qualities within each person.

 

2. The importance of experiencing nature firsthand in order to understand it.

 

3. The belief that one can connect with divinity through introspection and meditation.