Throughout Emerson's works, four main characteristics shaped his idea of transcendentalism, which included individualism, optimism, self-reliance, and intuition. His works, "Nature" and "Self-Reliance" categorize these traits.
Individualism
Emerson's idea of individually urges humans to be unique and express themselves. Individuality favors freedom of actions and nonconformity. In Self Reliance, Emerson uses the words ,"We but half express ourselves and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents,"(Emerson.184) to share his observations about the pressures of society that limit individualism. He shares his dislike towards conformity, which contributes the trait of individuality.
Optimism
The concept of believing that things are good by seeing the world through a positive perspective was one of the ways Emerson defined Transcendentalism. "Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a very superficial seeing. The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child." (Emerson. 180) Here he discusses the thought that only those who are optimistic can fully see life and nature for what it is, rather than a mere object. Seeing more than what what you have been told to see corroborates with the idea of levitating to transcendentalism.
Self-Reliance
Emerson also uses self reliance to define transcendentalism. Self reliance is the concept that one can depend on his or her own abilities. "To believe in your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men; that is genius. "(Emerson.183) Emerson explains that the ability to think for yourself and believe in yourself is pure genius, for the concept of transcendentalism is to rise above.
Intuition
Emerson discusses the ability to understand and act without interference as intuition. "And we are now men, and must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny; and not minors and invalids in a protected corner, not cowards fleeing before a revolution, but guides, redeemers, and benefactors, obeying the Almighty effort, and advancing on Chaos and the Dark." (Emerson. 184) Here, he encourages people to act upon their own understandings and to accept the transcendent destiny.
No comments:
Post a Comment