Transcendentalism in Walden by Henry David Thoreau - Research Paper Example

Transcendentalism in Walden by Henry David Thoreau “What everybody echoes or in silence passes by as true to-day mayturn out to be falsehood to-morrow, mere smoke of opinion, which some had trusted for a cloud that would sprinkle fertilizing rain on their fields” (Thoreau, 7). One of the basic principles in transcendentalism is considering worry as a form of foolishness. What can be considered today as valuable may be considered insignificant tomorrow. It is not just Thoreau who exemplified that way of thinking but also Ralph Waldo Emerson via the statement, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” (Reuben, ch. 4). Advices may be given by adults to the youths however there is not much of credibility in them for their advice to be taken with such significance. People have different fates and experiences and no 2 different people will have the same circumstances brought up to them. Another principle of transcendentalism is that genuine change is derived from within the person himself and not from others’ influence and it is not to please these people but to please the self. A change is not constituted by outside influence but more on taking in consideration a person’s thought on what the change would do for him rather than if it would please others (Reuben, ch. 4; Thoreau, 7). The author also did not exclude the word I in the context. Rather Thoreau used the 1st person way of speaking rather than using the 3rd person which is usually being used by writers in voicing out the writer’s opinions and beliefs. The author contradicts the customary way of writing as he states: In most books, the I, or first person, is omitted; in this it will be retained; that, in respect to egotism, is the main difference. We commonly do not remember that it is, after all, always the first person speaking. I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well (Thoreau, 3). This way of thinking by the author compliments transcendentalism’s tenet that the importance should be placed on human intellect. There is no use of stating an opinion if the self would not be used to get the message across. It would be like reiterating somebody else’s idea and not be proud of the opinion being voiced out by a person’s mind. It is complimenting the first principle which is conveying that nobody knows others as much as that person would know the self. Another tenet that can be considered is related to the fact that individuals should be respected as each character has a fraction of an Oversoul (God). Though people will have different opinions, each individual should be respected for it as the knowledge that each person have is a part of an Oversoul therefore by that person, each individual are connected. It would be either that or each individual would be considered having the same intellect as the others (Reuben, ch. 4). “Nature is as well adapted as to our weakness as to our strength” (Thoreau, 8). It can then be said that nature is a part of a person. Nature is not just found in a person’s strong points but also in the person’s most fragile dispositions. This principle that is being attributed in this part of the author’s work is that people can find God not just in human nature but in the nature that surrounds people. If this is the case, therefore, nature is where God resides. How people would treat the surroundings is a depiction of how people are taking care of God’s gift. The body is also considered in this case. How people take care of the body, it is how people are taking care of God. People should respect these creations as it is how people would show respect to the higher being that have created them (Reuben, ch. 4). “All change is a miracle to contemplate; but it is a miracle which is taking place every instant” (Thoreau, 8). This statement by the author still respects the principles of the movement that Thoreau is a part of. It is not the biblical miracles that have happened in the past but it is more of the miracles that are happening this very moment. Even the smallest creation is a miracle of the world. Miracles are not of the past yet it is of what is now (Reuben, ch. 4). A person’s success and virtues are all depending on self-realization. What make an individual happy may not be the same things that would bring happiness to another. “The necessaries of life for man in this climate may, accurately enough, be distributed under the several heads of Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel; for not till we have secured these that are we prepared to entertain the true problems of life with freedom and prospect of success (Thoreau, 8).” The author elaborated furthermore that “most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind (Thoreau, 8).” Those belonging to the higher part of the society would not be bothered much of these like those on the lower classes who needs to work day and night to be able to put decent meals on the table. Even faced with such tasks, there are instances that these people can consider themselves happier than those of the higher class. Happiness and success is not measured by the amount of money one have in their wallets but yet it is measured by the contentment a person have within the self as these people are not putting up a mask to be accepted by others. Worldly things, instead of aiding the self to become a better individual, is making the self to be just like the others and being equally so-called rich (Reuben, ch. 4). The author promoted that among the wisest and respected men who have ever lived remained simple and some even poorer than the poor (Thoreau, 8). So far, Thoreau’s writings have complimented the principles that transcendentalists wants to uphold. One belief of transcendentalists that would seem a slap on the face of others would be that the lack of writers, philosophers and leaders to boost an individual to its full potential and see what these individuals can become just by means of thinking and acting out what they think. It would be assisting an individual to further knowing the self. This belief is similar to that of Aristotle’s statement. This is constituted by one of the basic premise of the group that the individual is the center of the universe. Everything else that exists revolves around it. Transcendentalists cleared out that with this premise; the group is not discarding God’s existence yet the statement was made as a favored way of explaining the individual and the world in relation to the individual (Reuben, ch. 4). Transcendentalism promotes individuality. It is not rejecting anything that has been previously written and preached. It is more on promoting independence and more on believing on an individual’s capabilities rather than holding on to a group just to find happiness, success and other worldly concepts. The self is more important than a society who is fighting to know which belief is better than which. General acceptance is not as important as self-acceptance. Therefore an individual that is not happy of personally, that person would not find true happiness at all since happiness and other virtues are self-realization. The society is just there to help boost self-confidence but it would not give happiness and success to the individual. Success could not be measured. A person would not get happiness from the people around them. Leaders and societies can only inspire individuals to aim more out of life. However, it is not just aiming to have more money or power. It is more of believing in the self’s capabilities that will contribute to happiness and success. Worldly materials act as temptation in finding true happiness and success in this world. Mankind’s happiness is being hindered by attempts of individuals on who will get the most number of possessions (Thoreau, 229). At the end of the day, will those achievements make the person happy and successful? This is not being self-centered yet it is more of promoting self-belief that individuals are lacking with all the advancements present. Individuality is more important than being mere shadow of another individual or group. If a man can stand in front of the creator and look at the creator straight in the eyes and say that he is happy, therefore that person is truly happy. Spiritual happiness and success may not have any value in this physical world. At the end of all this, worldly possessions are discarded and people would be judged by their souls. As Thoreau put it, “The light that puts out our eyes is darkness to us. Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star” (Thoreau, 229). Works Cited: Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 4: American Transcendentalism: A Brief Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. . Retrieved 17 December 2011. Thoreau, Henry David. Walden; or, Life in the Woods. Boston: Ticknor and Fields. 1854. Read More