Question

Five major trends of the Transcendentalism movement

Answer 1

The Transcendentalism movement in the 19th century had five major trends: individuality, spiritualism, non-conformity, the view of nature as a gateway to transcendence, and a strong inclination towards social reform. The key figures of this movement, like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, emphasized on the importance of self-reliance, individual intuition, nature and civil disobedience in shaping societal norms and government.

Step-by-step explanation:

Transcendentalism was a significant intellectual movement in the 19th century America, which stressed on the idea of spirituality, individualism and self-reliance. Five major trends of this movement are as follows:

1. Individualism: An emphasis on self-reliance and individual intuition was a part of the Transcendentalist movement. Figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau advocated for self-reliance in matters of spirituality and life.
2. Spiritualism: The movement was deeply spiritual, emphasizing on the spiritual nature of the self and the universe. It rejected mainstream organized religion and encouraged individual spiritual self-discovery.
3. Non-Conformity: Transcendentalists rejected societal conventions and stressed the importance of nonconformity, individualism, and self-reliance. They often clashed with mainstream American culture.
4. Nature as a Gateway: Transcendentalists like Henry David Thoreau held nature in high regard, believing it to be a key element in reaching a transcendental state of individual insight and truth.
5. Social reform: Many of the transcendentalists were also social reformers advocating changes to societal norms and government upon their beliefs regarding individual autonomy and self-determination. Thoreau's work, Civil Disobedience, stands as a testament to this.

Learn more about Transcendentalism