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Transcendentalism
American Literature
Transcendentalism is an American philosophy that was popular in New England during the
1830’s. Transcendentalists argued for trusting one’s own intuition above established authority,
glorifying nature over industrialization, and following one’s conscience even if it means
breaking the law. Transcendentalists fought for the abolition of slavery and women’s rights just
to name a few of their causes. The writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau
influenced such men as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. In this brief unit, we will
be discussing the following questions and pondering the following ideas.
Essential Questions:
 What is the nature of humankind?
 Who determines right and wrong for the individual?
 What is the individual’s obligation to society?
 At what point is it necessary to break the law?
 Where is the individual closest to the divine?
 How much of one’s values must one compromise to live in society?
Enduring Understandings:
 Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were two of the most influential
American thinkers of the 19th century.
 These two men influenced future thinkers and created social change due to their writings.
Readings will include:
 Excerpts from Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson
 Excerpts from Walden by Henry David Thoreau
 Excerpts from Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau
Possible Activities:
 Listing student’s rules for life
 Creating own philosophies
 Collages on “What I believe”
 Interviewing a Transcendentalist
 Designing Children’s Books on Transcendentalists ideas
 Shopping for Ideas – posters on Transcendentalists ideas