Transcendentalism was a literary and philosophical movement that emerged in the United States in the mid-19th century. It was a response to the growing materialism and conformity of the times, and it sought to promote individualism, self-reliance, and the natural world as a source of spiritual truth. The movement was heavily influenced by the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, two of the most famous writers of the time. Their ideas continue to influence American literature and culture today.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was a Unitarian minister who resigned from his post in 1832 due to philosophical differences. He then began to deliver lectures on topics such as self-reliance, nonconformity, and the importance of nature. These ideas were later published in his essay “Nature” in 1836, which is often considered the founding text of the Transcendentalist movement. In it, Emerson argues that nature is a source of spiritual inspiration and that individuals can find their own truths by connecting with it.

Emerson’s other essays, such as “Self-Reliance” and “The Over-Soul,” expanded on these ideas and advocated for the importance of individualism and nonconformity. He believed that society had become too focused on materialism and conformity, and that individuals needed to break free from these constraints in order to realize their full potential. His writings also influenced other Transcendentalist writers, such as Henry David Thoreau.

Thoreau is best known for his book Walden, which describes his experience living in a small cabin in the woods for two years. Like Emerson, Thoreau believed in the importance of individualism and self-reliance, but he also believed in civil disobedience as a means of achieving social change. He famously refused to pay his poll tax as a protest against the Mexican-American War and was briefly jailed for it. His essay on the topic, “Civil Disobedience,” has since become a classic of American political writing and has influenced figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

The legacy of Transcendentalism can be seen in many aspects of American culture today. Its emphasis on individualism and nonconformity has influenced everything from music to fashion to politics. The environmental movement, with its focus on the preservation of natural spaces, can be seen as an outgrowth of the Transcendentalist belief in the importance of nature. The idea of civil disobedience as a means of achieving social change has also been embraced by many movements, from the civil rights movement to the anti-war movement to the modern-day protest movements.

In literature, the influence of Emerson and Thoreau can be seen in the works of many American writers, both past and present. Their emphasis on the natural world and the individual experience can be seen in the works of writers such as Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, and William Carlos Williams. The idea of self-reliance and nonconformity can be seen in the works of writers such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and the Beat Generation. The concept of civil disobedience can be seen in the works of writers such as James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and the Black Arts Movement.

In conclusion, Transcendentalism was a literary and philosophical movement that emerged in the mid-19th century in response to the growing materialism and conformity of the times. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were two of the most famous writers of the time and their ideas continue to influence American literature and culture today