Transcendentalist Movement Essay Research Paper Transcendentalism was — страница 2

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to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary." Thoreau himself was quoted as saying, "In wilderness is the preservation of the world." In "Walden", the author describes the cardinal importance of nature in ones search of their soul. Thoreau chose to live in seclusion because he believed solitude was the best companion in order to know one??s own self. In the essay, he felt that mankind cared too deeply for material possessions; "simplify!" he implored. Thoreau claimed that humans were "ruined by luxury and heedless expense" and that success is gained when one "advances

confidently in the direction of his dreams". Thoreau stressed the importance of the individual, saying "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer." His ideas were the foundation of transcendentalism- individualism, knowledge of nature, and the disposal of material belongings. Transcendentalism was one of the most important movements of the 19th century. The theory embodied ideals that, if taken to heart, had the potential to create a better understanding of the soul. If a person could connect their individual soul with the universe, they could fulfill their potential in life. One achieved this through many different ways, ways that are explained and discussed in the three works mentioned before.

Transcendentalism was a fundamental movement that was forever immortalized by innovative authors and works of literature.