Final answer:
Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay 'Nature' is considered the foundational work for Transcendentalism and its "Bible." Emphasizing self-reliance and individualism, it called for a transformation in human consciousness. His and Thoreau's works shaped this movement, which critiqued societal institutions and praised the virtues of nature and individual purity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The work that laid the groundwork for Transcendentalism and acted as its "Bible" was Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay, "Nature," published in 1836. As the foundational text, "Nature" marked the beginning of Transcendentalism as a key cultural force. Emerson, often considered the father of Transcendentalism, called for a revolutionary shift in human consciousness through his idealist philosophy — a shift that supported self-reliance, individualism, and a deep, intuitive connection with the natural world.
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, notable pillars of the movement, championed the innate goodness of both humans and nature. They criticized societal institutions that they felt corrupted the individual’s purity. Through their writings, such as Emerson's "The American Scholar" and Thoreau's "Walden," they promoted the values of personal experience and self-reflection over strict rationality, thereby influencing the cultural, literary, and philosophical landscapes of America.