Thoreau And Transcendentalism

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Throughout literature history poetry has been a type of expression and beauty that unifies people of all ages and races. A particular era in poetry that influenced american literature was referred to as American Romanticism. Two of the most iconic writers of this time were Emerson and Thoreau, both made this genre flourish in wondrous ways. Though these writers were the best of their time, they contained countless of distinctions from one another and multitudes of similarities. There themes contained passion, affection, and endearment though nonetheless each particular writer showed there ideal in different tonery and attitude. The American Romanticism themes were based relatively on the same ideal though what made this type of literature…show more content…
These writers used transcendentalism though in different manner and tonery. Thoreau is a great example because he would simplify all aspects to the point of complete comprehension he even practiced this for a living. Thoreau was an extremist when it came to Transcendentalism to the point he made it a lifestyle and went to the nature to practice his belief of living in harmony with one’s self. Thoreau even states his peaceful meditation times, “Some of my pleasantest hours were during the long rainstorms in the spring or fall, which confined me to the house for the afternoon as well as the forenoon, soothed by their ceaseless roar and pelting; when an early twilight ushered in a long evening in which many thoughts had time to take root and unfold themselves” (Thoreau). This is when he said he found himself and lived happily or even was filled with great respect for himself. Emerson was more of learning Transcendentalism and talking about it not in living it. Emerson lectured on the ideal of Transcendentalist and learned much from this and started to believe that one should live in harmony with nature because it is holy and sanitary to our soul. Emerson stated, “Great men have always done so and confided themselves childlike to the genius of their age, betraying their perception that the absolutely trustworthy was seated at their heart, working through their hands, predominating in all their being” (Emerson). These writers believed in harmony though one was a philosopher another took it as a
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