.gif)
Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early 19th century in the United States. Its main ideas include the inherent goodness of people and nature, the rejection of traditional institutions and beliefs, and the belief in the individual's ability to transcend the limitations of the physical world and achieve a higher understanding of the universe. Key figures in the movement include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller. Transcendentalism had a significant influence on American literature, culture, and thought.
While looking at Transcendentalism one may find Transcendentalism and Romanticism same. But this both are slightly different from each other. From both characteristics of Transcendentalism and Romanticism one can get the difference.
The core characteristics of Transcendentalism include:
1] Belief in the inherent goodness of people and nature: Transcendentalists believed that people and nature are inherently good and that society and institutions corrupt them.
2] Emphasis on individualism and self-reliance: Transcendentalists believed that each person has their own unique perspective and should rely on their own intuition and inner guidance.
3] The importance of intuition and spiritual reflection: Transcendentalists believed that people could transcend the material world and achieve a higher understanding of the world through intuition and spiritual reflection.
4] Criticism of organized religion and traditional institutions: Transcendentalists criticized organized religion and traditional institutions, such as churches and schools, as being stifling and restrictive.
5] Celebration of nature: Transcendentalists celebrated nature as a source of inspiration, truth, and beauty, and believed that it could help people connect with the divine.
6] The idea of "over-soul" or the sense of unity that pervades all things. Transcendentalists believed that people are all connected and that everything in the universe is interconnected, and that this interconnectedness is the "Over-Soul"
7] Emphasis on nonconformity and free thinking: Transcendentalists believed in breaking free from societal norms and embracing free thinking, rather than conforming to traditional beliefs and customs.
The core characteristics of Romanticism include:
1] Emphasis on emotions and imagination: Romantics believed that emotions and imagination are more important than reason and that people should follow their hearts rather than their heads.
2] Celebration of nature: Romantics celebrated nature as a source of inspiration, beauty, and truth, and believed that it could help people connect with their inner selves and the divine.
3] Interest in the supernatural, exotic and the medieval: Romantics had an interest in the supernatural, exotic and the medieval and it was reflected in their literature, art and music.
4] Emphasis on individuality and self-expression: Romantics believed that each person has their own unique perspective and should be free to express themselves.
5] Criticism of industrialization and societal constraints: Romantics criticized industrialization and the constraints of society, believing that they stifled creativity and individualism.
6] The importance of the common man and the people: Romantics celebrated the common man, the folk and the people, often portraying them as heroic figures in their literature.
7] Interest in the past and the medieval: Romantics often looked to the past, particularly the medieval period, for inspiration and as a source of nostalgia.
8] Preference for the picturesque, wild and the untamed: Romantics preferred the picturesque, wild and the untamed, seeing beauty in the roughness and imperfections of nature.
One example of a work that incorporates transcendentalist ideas is the movie "Dead Poet's Society" (1989) directed by Peter Weir.
The film is set in an all-boys preparatory school in the 1950s and centers around an English teacher, Mr. Keating, who encourages his students to think for themselves and to seek their own individual truths.
One of the core principles of Transcendentalism is the emphasis on individualism, self-reliance and non-conformity. In the movie, Mr. Keating tells his students to "seize the day" and to make their lives extraordinary. He encourages them to question authority and to look beyond the status quo. He also encourages them to "suck the marrow out of life" which is a metaphor of Ralph Waldo Emerson's that means to live life to the fullest and to extract all the goodness from it.
Furthermore, the film also explores the transcendentalist idea of nature as a source of spiritual inspiration. Mr. Keating takes his students to a cave where they read poetry and contemplate the beauty of nature. They also go to a forest to read poetry, where nature serves as a backdrop for their musings about the self and the human experience.
In my view, the movie effectively captures the spirit of Transcendentalism and encourages viewers to think for themselves and to seek their own individual truths. The film also showcases the importance of nature in the human experience and how it can serve as a source of spiritual inspiration.
No comments:
Post a Comment