Analysis-+Navid+N

Ralph Waldo Emerson is an important person in the theme of transcendentalism because he started the transcendentalist movement in the mid 19th century. During his movement he published his first essay, //Nature//, in which he describes the foundation of transcendentalism, and his appreciation towards the beauty of nature. In his essay, Emerson divided nature into four parts, commodity, beauty, language and discipline. He also talks about how man must become one with nature, for example by “taking himself away from society’s flaws and distractions, and create “wholeness” with nature” (Emerson). Emerson also implemented his idea of solitude, which he said, “is the only way man can fully adhere to what nature has to offer” (Emerson). Emerson had a major influence on the writers of that time such as Margaret Fuller and Henry David Thoreau. He worked with some of these authors and published another essay, //Self Reliance.// This essay was about staying true to you, not to imitate somebody else. “Imitation is suicide” grew to become a famous quote (Emerson). He said that people have a unique genesis inside of them, and “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men.” Emerson represented transcendentalism throughout his movement because he was the leader of that idea. By publishing his essays he was able to influence many other great authors who published their thoughts of transcendentalism in their own books. Emerson transformed the way we view life. He said that we do not take into account the natural beauty of this world, and by ignoring these pieces of art is the problem in our lives. He said the only way to live life is by coming out of society and to live on your own in solitude. Emerson also made a great suggestion on the personality of man. He said that man must “trust thyself.” And by believing in oneself man can achieve anything. He said that trying to be somebody you are not (imitation) is suicide. Emerson said that if you envy some one or are jealous of them, then you are a fool because no one is perfect, and everyone has their problems. If you imitate someone then you are sacrificing your own individuality. Emerson was seen as many as the champion of individualism. He wanted to promote mans goals and desires while keeping away the distractions from society.

Nature - http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/emerson/nature-contents.html

Self Reliance- http://www.emersoncentral.com/selfreliance.htm