Assignment 108: Exploring Transcendental Literature: Characteristics and Practices
Personal Information:-
Name:-Chavada Nanda
Batch:- M.A. Sem 2 (2023-2024)
Enrollment Number:-5108230012
E-mailAddress:-nandachavada@gmail.com
Roll Number:- 19
Assignment Details:-
Topic: Exploring Transcendental Literature: Characteristics and Practices
Paper No. : 106
Paper Name :The American Literature
Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar
Date of Submission:- 25 April 2024
Topic name : Exploring Transcendental Literature: Characteristics and Practices
Abstract:
This blog explores the characteristics and practices of transcendental literature, a genre that emerged from the transcendentalist movement in 19th-century America. Transcendental literature encompasses a diverse range of works, including essays, poetry, and fiction, and is characterized by its focus on inner experience, exaltation of the individual spirit, and emphasis on independence and self-reliance. Drawing from the writings of prominent transcendentalist thinkers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, this blog examines key themes such as the psychology of inner experience, the contemplation of beauty, idealism, and morality. Through an exploration of these characteristics and practices, readers gain insight into the enduring relevance and appeal of transcendental literature.
Keywords:
Transcendentalism, literature, characteristics, practices, inner experience, individual spirit, independence, self-reliance, beauty, idealism, morality
Introduction :
Transcendentalism :
Transcendentalism was a short-lived philosophical movement that emphasized transcendence, or “going beyond.” The Transcendentalists believed in going beyond the ordinary limits of thought and experience in several senses:
- transcending society by living a life of independence and contemplative self-reliance, often out in nature
- transcending the physical world to make contact with spiritual or metaphysical realities
- transcending traditional religion by blazing one’s own spiritual trail
- even transcending Transcendentalism itself by creating new philosophical ideas based on individual instinct and experience.
Transcendentalism, functioning as both a philosophy and a literary movement, encompasses a multifaceted approach to various aspects of human existence, including philosophy, art, literature, spirituality, and lifestyle choices. The genesis of Transcendentalism can be traced back to the formation of the "Transcendental Club" in 1836, a gathering of writers and intellectuals who convened to explore novel modes of thought and reorient themselves within the world's complexities. Spanning from 1836 to 1840, these meetings served as crucibles for innovative ideas and perspectives.
At the core of Transcendentalism lies a profound emphasis on intuition and personal knowledge, championing these faculties as superior to rigid adherence to societal conventions. Conformity to social norms is staunchly resisted by Transcendentalist thinkers and writers, who assert the primacy of individual autonomy and the innate goodness of humanity. Central to the Transcendentalist ethos is the belief in humanity's inherent capacity to transcend the societal tumult and turmoil, harnessing one's intellect to uncover deeper layers of meaning and purpose in life.
The transcendentalist movement is generally recognized to be the first major watershed in American literary and intellectual history. Pioneered by Emerson, Thoreau, Orestes Brownson, Margaret Fuller, and Bronson Alcott (among others), Transcendentalism provided a springboard for the first distinctly American forays into intellectual culture: religion and religious reform, philosophy, literature, ecology, and spiritualism. This new collection, edited by eminent American literature scholar Joel Myerson, is the first anthology of the period to appear in over fifty years.
Although Ralph Waldo Emerson denied being a transcendentalist, he is widely regarded as the foremost philosophical proponent of American transcendentalism, followed by Henry David Thoreau.
Emerson identified three practices through which we can exchange facts for ideas. The first practice involves idealism, whereby we view the world not as an independent force that can thwart our plans, but rather as a collection of images or representations that we create, making it benign and even beneficial.
The second practice involves focusing on moral actions and finding joy in their goodness. The third practice, perhaps the most well-known aspect of transcendentalism, is the contemplation of beauty.
While many of us may naturally engage in these practices without associating them with Emerson, his contemporaries, or the period in American intellectual history when transcendentalism was prominent, we are, in effect, following transcendentalist principles when we seek to enhance our lives by moving away from facts and embracing ideas.
German Influence:
Introduction via Hedge's Club: Emerson possibly gained insight into Kant's transcendental idealism through Hedge, who had studied in Germany and shared his knowledge with Emerson during gatherings of the Transcendental Club.
Impact on American Transcendentalism: Kant's ideas, particularly his emphasis on moral action, the beauty of the world, and divine majesty, resonated deeply with American transcendentalists, shaping their philosophical outlook.
Deviation from Kant's System: While American transcendentalists were influenced by Kant, they didn't adhere strictly to his systematic framework, particularly his distinction between the transcendent and the transcendental.
British Influence:
Inspiration from British Romantics: Emerson, influenced by British romantics like Wordsworth and Coleridge, infused romantic ideals into American transcendentalism after his European trip in 1832.
Perspective on Beauty and Imperfection: Unlike Kant's emphasis on the sublime, British romantics embraced the beauty of the world while recognizing its imperfections, leading to a nuanced view of existence.
Influence on American Transcendentalism:
British romantics' celebration of nature's beauty and their nuanced understanding of human virtues and flaws contributed to the distinctive perspective of American transcendentalism.
Transcendental literature characteristics:
Although the most famous works in Transcendentalist literature are non-fiction, Transcendentalist literature spanned all genres, from poetry to short fiction, and novels. Here are some key characteristics you will find in Transcendentalist literature:
Psychology of inner experience:
Transcendentalist literature often centres around characters or speakers who engage in introspection and turn their attention inward. These individuals seek to explore their own inner psyche, while also often undertaking an outward exploration. They may do so by disconnecting from society, immersing themselves in nature, living in solitude, or devoting themselves to contemplation. These methods are considered to be classic Transcendentalist approaches to discovering the inner landscape of the individual.
Exaltation of the individual spirit:
Transcendentalist literature exalts the individual spirit and embraces the belief in the innate goodness and purity of the human soul. By rejecting organised religion and mainstream societal conventions, Transcendentalist writers placed great importance on the human spirit as inherently divine.
As a result, many Transcendentalist works explore themes such as the nature of God, spirituality, and divinity. These meditations reflect the central role of individualism and the search for inner truth in Transcendentalist literature.
Independence and self-reliance:
Independence and self-reliance are core values of Transcendentalist literature. The movement arose from discontent with prevailing social structures and encouraged individuals to take charge of their own lives rather than relying on external forces.
Thus, Transcendentalist works often feature characters or speakers who choose to chart their own course, marching to the beat of their own drum. This emphasis on individualism and self-reliance is a hallmark of Transcendentalist literature
Contemporary Relevance :
Theories attempting to unveil the essence of the world are intriguing and enlightening, providing insights into the limits of our knowledge. Although the transcendentalists never created a comprehensive theory, their spontaneous musings aimed to reinforce the practices that brought them closer to the good.
Despite their inability to ground their practices in a complete theory of absolute reality, their devotion to their practices persisted throughout their lives. The practices of affirming moral action, contemplating beauty, and appreciating the creativity of consciousness are self-standing and do not require theoretical support.
Transcendentalism's practices hold immeasurable value. We often overlook the wonder of awareness and the remarkable products of our imagination.
The focus on factual knowledge can obscure our ability to recognize beauty and diminish our appreciation of the rightness of moral action. Practising transcendentalism continually would enable us to view consciousness as an unparalleled wonder, appreciate even the smallest aspects of beauty, and recognize the value of a single moral action.
While these practices cannot establish absolute reality, they enrich our experiences and align with the transcendentalists' ultimate goal.
Beauty:
If there is a single practice with which American transcendentalism can be identified, it is contemplation of beauty.
Emerson responded to Plato’s theory that beauty, truth, and goodness are one by saying that even so beauty is the best of the three. Children seem to see it radiating from the most ordinary objects to their exquisite delight. Adults sometimes find themselves feeling like children again in its presence.
The transcendentalists thought of beauty as eternal, because a mere glimpse of it was enough to make them drop everything and simply take in what they heard or saw with neither motive nor intention. This activity satisfied them so deeply that while they were thus engaged it was as if time stood still.
Emerson attempted to extend the influence of beauty far beyond momentary absorptions, motivated by the tremendous appeal of the former hypothesis. He arrived at the conclusion that everything is beautiful by arguing that beauty stems from purpose. Emerson saw nature as a unified, all-encompassing system governed by immutable moral laws.
Everything in such a system serves a purpose in relation to the whole and is rendered beautiful by that relationship. In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius proposed something similar. He claimed that once the purpose of the foam in ravening beasts' mouths is revealed, it takes on a certain beauty.
The transcendentalists were excellent at stretching their imaginations. When they used this ability to its full potential, they saw an abstract world of interconnected ideas all around them. The allure of that world was so alluring that it blinded them to all external realities. Emerson even stated that there is a certain beauty in a corpse. We can't blame the transcendentalists for wanting to live forever in the presence of the beautiful, but the feats of imagination that they used to create an ideal world couldn't last forever. The transcendentalists were drawn to the beauty of ideas, but they also knew they had to navigate a world full of stubborn facts. We can see it once more.
Idealism:
The American transcendentalists' idealism, like their morality and love of beauty, took the form of practises before becoming, as an afterthought, a sort of theory. Emerson stood with his head between his legs, noting how this revealed a very different reality. His long country rambles instilled in him a profound sense of nature's lawfulness and rationality. His raging passions roiled within him often manifested themselves in the form of an essay or a poem or poem. Looking at the world from different perspectives, delighting in the patterns that nature creates, and writing poetry or prose are idealistic practices in the sense that they prioritise consciousness.
Morality :
Emerson was often criticised for not being an enthusiastic reformer, and there was some truth to these accusations. While his contemporaries in the US and Europe were eager to push for moral progress, Emerson was more inclined to be a scholar. According to him, the role of scholars is to cultivate goodness in others, but this requires a certain ability to see the bigger picture of things, which can only be gained through some distance from the fray of action. Emerson was a visionary and a poet at heart, rather than a man of action. While he empathised with the ideals of reformers, he found it uncomfortable to actively engage in reforms, as it was not his natural calling.
“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Conclusion :
In conclusion, transcendental literature offers a profound exploration of the human experience, inviting readers to delve into the depths of their own consciousness and to embrace the beauty and wonder of existence. By embodying the principles of inner exploration, individualism, independence, and morality, transcendental literature continues to resonate with audiences today, serving as a timeless source of inspiration and enlightenment.
Words : 1950
Images : 3
Works Cited
ugapress.org, https://philosophyterms.com/transcendentalism/. Accessed 25 April 2024.
YouTube: Home, 9 November 2017, https://academic.oup.com/book/49230?login=false. Accessed 25 April 2024.
“American Transcendentalism.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://iep.utm.edu/am-trans/. Accessed 25 April 2024.
Packer, Barbara L. “The Transcendentalists.” UGA Press, https://ugapress.org/book/9780820329581/the-transcendentalists/. Accessed 25 April 2024.
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