Thursday, February 20, 2014
Example:
(Do this twice--once for each quote.)
Emerson wrote about the beauty, timeliness, and individuality of roses: "These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God today." Emerson is encouraging people just "to be"--to bloom where they are planted without trying to compare themselves to others before or yet to come, and to make the most of the present. Man should be content with his beauty and purpose and not worry about conforming to "tradition." Transcendentalism encourages individuality--freedom from conforming to others' ideas--and recognizing that everything has its time and place in nature.
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"You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
ReplyDeleteyou have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." -Max Ehrmann
Emerson talks about how one should accept themselves: "Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the divine Providence has found for you; the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events." Emerson is saying that people should just accept there lives and who they are.
ReplyDeleteNo one really know what they can and cant do in life until they actually tries. Part of transcendentalism is excepting yourself, Emerson says "The power witch resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried." This means that we shouldn't say we cant until we've tried, and then we can excepts the fact after its been proven.
ReplyDeleteEmerson wrote about how important it is to think for oneself: "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind." He's urging readers to be honest and open with thoughts because that is the most valuable thing they can offer to the world. Transcendentalism is all about being an individual and trusting oneself to be insightful. There is no need for conformity in this day and age. Emerson is saying that there is definitely a strong need to put originality and individuality on display.
ReplyDeleteEmerson says: "He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness." Emerson is saying that you can't let notoriety get in the way of your life but you need to try to have it. Which goes alone with transcendentalism that says one should try to stand with the world but also stand out.
ReplyDeleteEmerson talks about how one should accept themselves: "Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the divine Providence has found for you; the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events." Emerson says that you should accept yourself and your place in the world.
ReplyDeleteAcceptance is a big part in Emerson's essay, self acceptance plays a big part in transcendentalism. In the essay "Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the place the divine Providence has found for you” (Emerson)." this explains this idea of transcendentalism. Emerson is showing that it's okay to follow your dreams and your heart. In a way you follow a path to lead to your future. Emerson goes to explain a child like mind in a adult world. He uses this to make a comparison between moral development and intelligence. Humans should be true to themselves and follow their heart, because in the end everyone is equal and morally going to all the same place. So Emerson is trying to convey a sense to live your life to the fullest and accept your self as you are, not who you want to be.
ReplyDeleteEmerson wrote about the power someone can achieve through self-realization: "The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he as tried." Emerson is saying that people don't know what they can do until they start believing in themselves.
ReplyDeleteAn important part of life is to always try your best. If you don't it is unlikely to succeed. In "Self-Reliance" Emerson said "A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise, shall give him no peace." This relates to transcendentalism because it relates to nonconformity.
ReplyDeleteEmerson wrote about being misapprehended when he says, “is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.” When he wrote this, he was saying that is not necessarily bad if one's way of thinking is not apprehended by society. He reassured people that is okay to be different by listing people who were also misunderstood, but are also recognized as some of the greatest intellectuals and most influential people in history.
ReplyDeleteEmerson is saying that it's okay to believe in yourself and what you can do even when no one else does: "Is it so bad then to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood..." Emerson is saying that people will doubt you and the things you do, and that's okay. You just have to keep believing in yourself. That's what transcendentalism is all about. You can be free to believe in your own ideas and beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI love this one! "To be great is to be misunderstood."
DeleteTranscendentalism was neither against God or any other high power. They were very spiritual. They believed to be one with God, not one with the church. Emerson said in his essay that "the world proceeds from the same spirit as the body of man. It is a remoter and inferior incarnation of God" He viewed humanity as inferior to God but still connected to Him in a spiritual way. He goes on to talk about how you can connect to God with nature and peace. Unlike the puritans who saw that every was born with sin, the transcendentalist believe that people are born with "good" souls.
ReplyDeleteEmerson wrote about stepping away from the norm: "With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do." He's telling the reader that he or she has an infinite amount of potential. Going with the flow and continuing a routine can be damaging to the mind. That means that stepping out of comfort zones must be freeing to the mind. Transcendentalism encourages everyone to think for oneself and to stop conforming to society and its ways. Boredom ensues when the mind isn't challenged to think of the unlimited amount of possibilities in the world.
ReplyDelete"A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his own work and done his best; but when he has said or done otherwise, shall give no peace"(246). Emerson is saying that when one puts in the time and effort into their own work, the satisfaction will be great. Although anything one hasn't done one their own won't be as pleasurable. This quote relates directly to Transcendentalism because it encourages individuality. The quote gives the idea of being your own person and taking pride in your own work.
ReplyDeleteEmerson writes about the importance of listening to one’s inner-voice. “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” Emerson is stating the nothing is as vital and long-lasting as listening to one’s own mind. He’s encouraging people to have faith in themselves and be confident in their own thinking. When he uses the word “integrity,” he is saying that one’s mind must remain true to that person. Not only should one recognize that their thoughts are important, but one should also realize that their thoughts must not be based off others but off their own self. They should be a reflection of the person they are. Transcendentalism encourages people to be confident in themselves.
ReplyDeleteEmerson writes about how society is like a clique. “Society is a joint-stock company in which the members agree for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater.” In this quote, Emerson is describing how society can take one’s freedom and culture, meaning society influences people so much that it takes the uniqueness out of the person. He compares society to a “joint-stock company” because he wants to show that if a person goes with society, they are no longer an individual, but a small part of a group. Because Emerson views society this way, he doesn’t agree with following society. He believes in individualism. Non-conformity is an aspect of transcendentalism.
Emerson wrote about someone being themselves when he says, “envy is ignorance, imitation is suicide.” By saying he this, he is stating that it is ignorant for one to be jealous of another person because he or she is not him or her. He is also saying that if one is to be so envious of someone to try to be them, you are "killing" yourself. When he says "suicide," he means that one is wasting his or her life by trying to be someone that he or she is not.
ReplyDeleteEmerson says "It's not the destination, it's the journey." This quote is relating to life itself. It indicates that life is a journey that we all travel each and every day, and it's not just a destination we need to go to. Now the journey that each of us decides will impact our destination immensely, but everyone needs to choose their own journey. Transcendentalism is brought about greatly throughout the use of this statement, it uses the ideas of optimism, confidence, and non-conformity. Which all are aspects in Transcendentalism.
ReplyDelete"These are the voices which we hear, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world" (247).
ReplyDeleteThe above quote means that as we first enter the world, we are raised up into what society believes what we should be. As we grow older, we begin to find our true selves and begin to turn away from the idealistic qualities and social expectations of society. This relates to Transcendentalism because as we grow older, we begin to use the process of thought, becoming one with ourselves and discovering reality not based off word of mouth.
“He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness” (247).
The quote above means that no matter what, always go by what you believe is right. Go discover the goodness and don’t just go with what others say is good. Believe in yourself and go along with what you believe is right. This quote relates to Transcendentalism due to the belief and conformity in oneself to aspire and think about the world around them, as well as their own belief in the world and society.
Emerson wrote about speaking out to the world and being "misunderstood" : "Speak what you think now in hard words, and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said today "Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood"... To be great is to be misunderstood..." Emerson is encouraging people to stand out and to stand up for what you believe in even if it is different then everyone else. Transcendentalism encourages individualism and the freedom to be different from society.
ReplyDeleteEmerson wrote about believing in yourself and letting your true beliefs show : "To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men,-- that is genius." Emerson is encouraging others to believe in themselves and to believe in their true values at heart. Transcendentalism encourages believe in oneself.
“Every true man is cause, a country, and an age; requires infinite spaces and numbers and time fully accomplished his thought; and posterity seem to follow his steps as a procession.”
ReplyDeleteThe value of self-reliance in the individual’s connections with nature, Emerson sees similar sides of self-reliance in the world.
“I see the same law working in the nature for conservation and growth. The poise of a planet, the bended tree recovered itself from the strong wind, the vital resources of every vegetable and animal, are also demonstrations of the self-sufficing, and therefore self-relying soul”
The knowledge obtained will be extraordinary, so to anyone accomplished or catching transcendentalism thought may see it as something new.
“A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best.” True happiness can only be achieved when you know you’ve tried your best and put in your all.
ReplyDelete“To be great is to be misunderstood...” Some of the greatest thinkers in history were often misunderstood and judge.
Emerson talks about how someone can only become better through their own will. “…he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till.” Emerson says that though there is nothing but good in the universe, the only way to improve yourself comes through you. Transcendentalists believed that understanding one’s self will lead to the understanding of the rest of the world.
ReplyDelete“society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.” Emerson talks about how Society is against being an individual. Transcendentalists believe that everyone should be an individual and not conform to society.
Emerson wrote " There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that intimation is suicide; that he must take himself, for better, for worse, as his portion." I feel like this quote means that in the life of every growing human being has a time in their life that they should jump in with the crowd and be a follower but Emerson said doing so is ignorance and also that wanting to be someone else is deadly, that you were born an individual for a reason and that was to grow and prosper as yourself and to not be a follower but to grow into what you make yourself not into want being a follower of the crowd would make you. This quote relates to transcendentalism because individuality is encouraged through transcendentalism and I believe that this quote expresses individuality.
ReplyDeleteEmerson wrote " Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world." I feel like this quote means if you have good self morals or if you believe that the path you're going down is the path that you were set out to find, then you would have complete suffrage or freedom from the world. This relates to transcendentalism because one belief of transcendental people is to have self morals or your own mind. Not one that was made up of being a crowd follower and paying close attention to the bad things in life. This quote and transcendentalism state that being at peace with yourself is the main importance of living life the right way. And this quote in my opinion expresses this.
When Emerson says, "What I must do, is all that concerns me, not what people think," he means that people should do what makes them happy, and not be worried about what others will say or think. This relates to Transcendentalism because it is encouraging someone to rely solely on himself or herself and to focus on his or her inner self.
ReplyDelete"There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion..." Emerson is stating that if you try being someone your aren't then you are "killing" who you are. You have to take yourself as you are, and be confident with yourself. This quote relates to Transcendentalism because it is telling people to be confident with who they are.
ReplyDelete"Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness." Emerson states that people should not go blend in, but instead, stand out and self-reliant and responsible. Transcendentalism encourages self-reliance and non-conformity.