Transcendentalim and Walden - Essay Example

Transcendentalism and Walden Outline Introduction The and book is introduced along with theconcept of transcendentalism. The concepts to be discussed are highlighted along with their supporting elements such as diction, tone, figures if speech.ThesisSpiritual awakening, simplicity, individualism, and being one with nature are some of the elements of transcendentalism that unshackle human beings from the traditional ideologies of conformity and materialism.AnalysisThe concept of transcendentalism as a philosophical movement of individualism, self-reliance and non-conformity is introduced.

The elements of individualism are introduced and discussed citing various credible sources from chapter two of Walden.This section analyses Thoreau’s experience in the woods, his connection with nature and his journey to self-awareness. These themes and elements of transcendentalism are strengthened by the use of figures of speech, diction and tone. Thoreau alludes to various aspects of life, and philosophy to strengthen his case.ConclusionIn this section, the thesis is affirmed, the elements of transcendentalism are summed up and a recommendation is given based on the lesson learnt.

AfterthoughtThis section restates the concept of transcendentalism, the elements that exemplify it, and the values that Thoreau seeks to teach his audience. The lessons to be learnt from Thoreau’s Walden are the concepts of free thought, individualism, self-reliance, and self-awareness and non-conformity in a bid to search for the true meaning of life.It should be highlighted, however, that people’s truths are different, and one should go on a personal journey of free spirited thought in order to find and live their own truth.

People should speak their truths, as they live it.Transcendentalism and Walden – An AfterthoughtWalden is a book that Henry Thoreau uses to not only exemplify his beliefs, but those of transcendentalism. The book depicts transcendentalism as being a progressive movement towards individualism, self-reliance, education and people’s rights; one also concludes that transcendentalists are critical of social institutions, the government, religion, laws and creeping industrialization. One of the most important teachings that Henry Thoreau seeks to teach his audience, and that many people can pick up is that it is better for person to live frankly and openly as who they are, than to live as society or other external forces oblige one to live.

People should learn to speak their truth, that which they have learnt for themselves and not that which they have been taught to accept as true; people should learn from the abundance of the universe and from the depths of their existence so as to be able to speak the truth as one lives it. An intelligent reader should be able to derive that Thoreau speaks of the truth as not being characterized by social status, material possession or titles; possessions and titles cannot bring the truth to its owner, nor can poverty take it away.

Free living, free thought and self-reliance are the most important intellectual aspects of life that can enable one to understand the meaning of life.Walden presents another interesting point, that which shows that one person’s truth is not another’s truth; that one must seek his/ her own truth, not necessarily by physical solitude, but by free spirited thought, attitude and behavior. One can see that transcendentalists are not people who seek to cast off others, rather, they are people who were not afraid to live outside the restrained mindset that society puts them.

In a bid to live a free and democratic life, people must strive for self-awareness.Work CitedThoreau, Henry David. Walden or life in the woods. Boston, New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1882. Print.