Transcendentalism

McKenna 1
Ian McKenna
Emily Goldkind
English II Honors
14 February 2017
Transcendentalism
Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen, a quote from
Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson can be summarized as the founder and leader of the American
social and religious movement of Transcendentalism. That is, the belief that truth exists beyond,
or [transcends], proof and in other words, a belief of intuition (Loveland, Hively, & Russell par.
2). A fascinating ideology passed on that good old gut feeling, an organic universe, and the
divinity of human beings, Transcendentalism and its followers would spread their influence
across the world.
To start with, Transcendentalisms story begins with a man named Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Emerson ancestry consisted of several generations of ministers, and so, unsurprising, he became
the pastorate of the Church of Boston in 1829 (Robinson par. 5). He began to read extensively
into the works of greek philosophers and European romantics, and developed the idea of a god
within. His readings would ultimately also introduce him to the idea of intuition and the concept
of an organic universe. Along with his skepticism of Jesus being a supernatural being rather than
a teacher, Emerson decided to break away from his pulpit in 1832 (Robinson par. 6). As a result,
Emerson became a lecturer and essayist, and in 1836, would publish Nature, his first article
displaying the Transcendentalist philosophy. He then would attract a small group of ex-ministers
and intellectuals to form the Transcendental Club in Boston later that year. This group would
discuss new ideas and concepts including romantic literature (romanticism not romance)
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German idealist metaphysics, and Asian religion [were] important [hallmarks] (Robinson par.
9). Emerson and the Transcendental Club would go on to spread the ideas of
Transcendentalism and would influence important events in history.
Eventually, the teachings of the early Transcendentalist would inspire people around the
world. Henry David Thoreau, a Transcendentalist writer, would go on to write passages about his
stance on passive resistance, which would be indoctrinated by social reformers Martin Luther
King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi (Lovell, Hively, & Russell par. 10). Another example was
Margaret Fuller. This woman would go on to help Giuseppe Mazzini in his unification revolution
in Italy. Italy would then become a player in both world wars. So as you can see,
Transcendentalists would have an affect on the world
At any rate, we will now discuss the role Transcendentalism has in Paulo Coelhos The
Alchemist. This novel contains many examples, but first we will talk about the Coelhos idea of a
Personal Legend. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is
(Coelho 23). This direct quote is a perfect example of the Transcendental belief of intuition. We
know early on what were meant to achieve with our lives, whether its clearly known may be
another story, but mostly, we have a fair idea. And what connects this to Transcendentalism is the
fact that a person knows their Personal Legend not because they were told that is what is, but the
very feeling of content and longing we have for it. Another example is when Santiago is
discussing the Emerald Tablet with the Alchemist. The Alchemist is the middle of saying that
Santiago does not even have to understand the desert: all you have to do is contemplate a simple
grain of sand, and [he] will see in it all the marvels of creation (Coelho 131). This goes with the
Transcendental idea of an organic universe. Everything in an organic universe is essentially
one, and so, this part of the book gives a specific example of this concept because something
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as simple as a grain of sand can explain all of creation. This could only be a feat possible if there
were an organic universe, because how else could learn such information from just one thing?.
That is right, the grain of sand is essentially one with the rest of the universe. And one final
example is the concepts of the Language of the World and Soul of the World. These concepts
also go along with the idea of an organic universe because they connect all of creation. The
Language of the World is the unspoken language in which all of creation understands each other,
from the smallest grain of sand to the tallest mountain. It can also be tied into the belief of
intuition because it is something that all things know without learning, they just know. The Soul
of the World is quite literally the thing all was created from and connected to. And therefore, it is
what makes us all one because are all connected by it. The Alchemist not only mentions
Transcendentalistic in content, but is quite literally the definition of Transcendentalism.
Transcendentalism is an interesting philosophy that draws on its ideas from many other
philosophies and teachings. And that is what makes it so interesting, the fact that it is able to
draw on from so many ideas. But this philosophy is not just a mesh of ideas, no, it is lifestyle that
teaches you to trust in your instincts and to respect the world around you. And therefore, it is my
personal opinion that Transcendentalism is one of the most inspiring beliefs I have yet to learn.
Works Cited
Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2002. Print.
Loveland, Hively, & Russell. Transcendental Movement in New England. Salem Press
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Encyclopedia, January, 2015. Web.
Robinson, David. Encyclopedia of American Cultural and Intellectual History. Ed. Mary
Kupiec Cayton and Peter W. Williams. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 2001.
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McKenna 1

across the world.

Transcendentalism and would influence important events in history.

Transcendentalists would have an affect on the world

Transcendental idea of an organic universe. Everything in an organic universe is essentially

Transcendentalistic in content, but is quite literally the definition of Transcendentalism.

Encyclopedia, January, 2015. Web.

From Student Resources in Context.

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