Transcendentalism literature project 4

Beliefs:
1. Oversoul-Everyone shared the same soul in a sense
2. Mind was the most powerful instrument in the world
3. Intuition- Voice of God through everyone
4. People didnt inherit original sin
5. Every human was good and pure.

1.Nature: By Ralph Waldo Emerson

"But if a man would be alon let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds will seperate between him and what he touches"
That is saying that for someone to be able to listen to their minds that they will beed to be alone.
Alone is in the author's opinion staring at the heavens.
The meaning of this poem is the beauty and perfection of nature and the "real" nature lover. It also talks about how walking through nature allows you to follow intution.
"His intercourse with heaven and earth becomes part of his daily food." This is saying that his visit with nature and talks with god becomes part of his daily ritual. " in the woods i turn to reason and faith, there is nothing that can befall me no disgrace no calamity which nature cannot repair." This is saying that when he returns to nature that their is nothing that can make him feel bad that he turns to faith and reason. Being that Transcendalists believed in intuition this is exactly what this poem is pointing out. Listenting to your mind is not writing things out or reading but walking through forests or visiting nature to kind of see things through. No one can affect you while you are doing this. It is the best way to understand yourself.

2. "Self Reliance" by : Ralph Waldo Emerson

"That though the wide universe is good. No kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestwoed on the plot of ground which is givent to him" this means that nothing is given to anyone it is made from what they make it. Self reliance as a poem means that you focuse soley on yourself. "God will not have his woks mad manifest by cowards" This is saying that God wants his work done by good people. This poem is a good example of Transcendalism because Transcendalist believed that all people were good at heart and that if they used their mind then they could accomplish anything. This falls into their belief of the mind being the most powerful instrument in the world.

3."Resistance to Civil Government" By: Henry David Thoreau

"It does not keep the country free, It does not settle the west" This story is about a guy who is arrested for not paying a tax that will help slavery which is something that he is against. The author is saying that slavery wont make the country free or help settle our problems. The night in prison inspired the author to write about what was happening. This makes this an example of Transcendalism because the author takes this one night and speaks with his innerself to sort out things are happening to write this story.


1. Susan and David planned to marry as soon as they graduated high school. David's father owns a small grocery store, and he has promised David a full-time managerial position once he graduates high school. During their senior year, Susan begins to think she would like to go to school hundreds of miles away. In the Spring, Susan recieves a full scholarship to this far-off school, and she has also continued making wedding plans with David.

In this case i would have followed my heart through if this is what i wanted to do then i would have done it.." A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best". this would have been a transcendentalism thought because they believed if it was something you thought to do then god was speaking to you."