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Sci.Int.(Lahore),31(4),121-125,2019 ISSN 1013-5316;CODEN: SINTE 8 121

THE CONCEPT OF TRANSCENDENTALISM IN HENRY DAVID THOREAU'S
WALDEN
Wasan Ali Hasan*1 and Musaab Natiq Ibrahim*1
1
Al-Iraqia University, College of Education for Women, Department of English, Baghdad, Iraq.
1
wasan.hasan@gmail.com , 2mussaab.ibra@gmail.com
(+96407723300315) For correspondence: wasan.hasan@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Abstact Henry David Thoreau (1817- 1862) is an American thinker, essayist and prose writer. He is considered
a naturalist and transcendentalist philosopher. After graduating from Harvard University, Thoreau joined different professions
in which he worked as a teacher in a private school, a land surveyor and an inventor in his father's pencil factory. Then, he
gave up all these professions deciding to live his life according to his strict accurate principles. He managed to enjoy his
simple life depending on a little money. Thoreau had been deeply influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), the father
of American Transcendentalism. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate Thoreau's transcendental opinions and ideas in his
book Walden which is regarded as the best representative and the definitive text of the transcendental movement.

Keywords: transcendentalism, nature, spiritual, inner life, intuition, inspiration, simplicity and self-reliance.

INTRODUCTION others. The transcendental movement is regarded as:

The Concept of Transcendentalism in Thoreau's Walden A reaction against the 18th-century rationalism and a
Walden or Life in the Woods (1854) is Thoreau's second manifestation of the general humanitarian trend of the 19th-
book. It is one of the greatest works of American Literature. century thought. The movement was based on a fundamental
It is based on Thoreau's experience at Walden Pond from the belief in the unity of the world and God. The soul of each
4th July, 1845 to the 6th September, 1847. It is the result of individual was thought to be identical with the world- a
two years, two months and two days. It is a record of his life microcosm of the world itself. The doctrine of self-reliance
at a small cabin in the woods near Walden Pond on a plot of and individualism developed through the belief in the
land owned by his friend Emerson. It is considered a fine identification of the individual soul with God.3
autobiographical record [1]. In A Glossary of Literary Terms, M. H. Abrams and
Walden can be read on two levels. The first level has a Geoffrey Galt Harpham define transcendentalism as a
surface meaning. It is an account of Thoreau's simple life philosophical and literary movement which is,
alone in a small hut in the woods. He describes the beautiful Neither a systematic nor a sharply definable philosophy, but
nature with its plants, animals, birds and insects. He also rather an intellectual mode and emotional mood that was
gives his description of the weather and the change of the expressed by diverse, and in some instances rather eccentric,
seasons. One of the critics praises Thoreau's perfect way of voices… Among the counterviews that were affirmed by
depicting the change of time saying: Transcendentalists, especially Emerson, were confidence in
The basic structure of the book maybe most clearly the validity of a mode of knowledge that is grounded in
understood by the fact that Thoreau, for convenience, feeling and intuition, and a consequent tendency to accept
condenses his two years' experience at Walden into one, and what, to logical reasoning, might seem contradictions; an
describes it beginning with Summer and proceeding Fall and ethics of individualism that stressed self-trust, self-reliance,
Winter to Spring. The turning seasons thus define a process and self-sufficiency; a turn away from modern society, with
of symbolic death and re-birth which, for Thoreau as for the its getting and spending, to the scenes and objects of natural
romantics, represents the character of personal development worlds, which were regarded both as physical entities and as
[2] correspondences to aspects of human spirit [4].
On the second level, Walden has very deep meanings due to Transcendentalism is a word which has been variously
its being a completely transcendental work. Thoreau tries to " interpreted. Orestes Brownson, an early transcendentalist,
live through the visible to the invisible, through the temporal defines it as "the recognition in man of the capacity of
to the eternal."2 He thinks that people can attain their knowing truth intuitively…an order of knowledge
happiness if they obey and follow the light within themselves. transcending the senses."5 In other words, the truth can be
He rejects the materialistic things that people search in vain found through feeling and intuition rather than reason and
for and prefers to look for true happiness and lead sincere logic. Thoreau provides his own interpretation claiming that
joyous life. Thus, Walden is considered a guide book to the "wisdom does not inspect, it beholds."6 According to
higher life. Emerson who is considered the father of American
Thoreau is one of the main writers who belongs to the Transcendentalism and the founder of the transcendental club
transcendental movement. As a matter of fact, in Concord, transcendentalism means the existence of a
transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement divine world beyond and above the world of the senses. He
which appears in Concord and Boston. It is apparent in the wants to clarify the idea that reality cannot be realized by
intellectual and cultural life of New England from 1836 until reason but it can be felt by intuition [7].
before the Civil War. It is introduced by a group of writers The transcendental movement has its own features which
including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, distinguish it from other literary movements. Initially, the
Margaret Fuller, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Jones Very and transcendental writers focus on the importance of nature.

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They believe in the importance of living closer to nature. For Walden especially in chapter IV 'The Sound' when he gives
them, nature is their Bible in which everything in it; including his readers a beautiful image about his staying in a small neat
the trees, flowers, birds, rivers…etc., has its own significant hut which is made of wood. He enjoys listening to the sounds
meaning. They indicate that through the external beauty of of different animals and birds both at night and during the
nature, man can be conscious of the spiritual beauty of the day. He also gets pleasure from listening to the sound of the
world. Through this beauty, man can find himself. If man can church bell on Sundays. He mentions:
live in close intimacy with nature far away from the My house was on the side of a hill, immediately on the edge
materialistic aspects of society, he can enjoy the beauty of of the larger wood, in the midst of a young forest of pitch
life peacefully. On the other hand, the transcendental writers pines and hickories, and half a dozen rods from the pond, to
emphasize the importance of enjoying life with its simplicity. which a narrow footpath led down the hill. In my front yard
For them, food, shelter and clothes are the main necessities of grew the strawberry, blackberry, and life-everlasting,
life. Thus, poverty should not be the reason behind spoiling johnswort and golden-rod, shrub-oaks and sand-cherry,
their life. blueberry and ground-nut. Near the end of May, the sand-
They also show great interest in the individuals who are cherry, (Cerasus pumila,) adorned the sides of the path with
considered part of the society and part of the natural world. its delicate flowers arranged in umbels cylindrically about its
They think that the individuals should lead themselves short stems, which last, in the fall, weighed down with good
depending on their own experiences. They should create new sized and handsome cherries, fell over in wreaths like rays on
ways to improve their life without waiting for the society to every side [11].
create their lifestyles. Thus, they focus on the importance of From another point of view, Thoreau regards himself as a
self-trust, self-reliance and self-sufficiency. part of nature. He does not feel lonely being away from
The transcendental writers also emphasize the value of the society. On the contrary, he finds relief in this quiet place
spiritual life in which man can get real knowledge through since he is in good intimacy with nature. For him, nature is
feeling and intuition transcending the senses. "If man comes the best friend and the good companion. In his relationship
to nature in a mood of 'wise passivity' and allows influences with nature, he feels the real meaning of friendship. In
from nature to enter into his soul, he can see into 'the heart of chapter V 'Solitude', Thoreau refers to his close relationship
things'."8 In this regard, the transcendentalists concentrate on with nature saying, " I go and come with a strange liberty in
the oneness of God, Man and Nature. They believe that man nature, a part of herself" (W, 97). In addition to that, Thoreau
is a part of nature. At the same time, God can be found sheds light on the significance of nature. He thinks that nature
everywhere even in man and nature. Emerson stresses the is a preacher who teaches him everything about the world and
prominence of this unity saying that "sea, earth, air, sounds, mankind. He realizes that nature is the best school since it
silence, plant, quadruped, bird. By one music enchanted, one provides him with experiences, knowledge and moral lesson.
deity stirred [9]. He learns that food, shelter and clothes are the main
The transcendentalists also pay great attention to necessity of necessities of having a welfare life. He comes to a conclusion
living sublime life in which everyone's life should be above that money and wealth are the main reasons which prevent
the animal level. As a matter of fact, they praise the spiritual man from enjoying the beautiful sight of nature.
life with its divinity convicting the animal inside human Thoreau also emphasizes the importance of individualism and
being. At the same time and through this movement, they self-reliance. He indicates that people can count on their own
provide ethical interpretation of life. They give their readers experiences and thoughts to go on living. He thinks that the
moral lessons and ethical rules. Thus, the transcendental individual is a part of society and a part of nature. Thus, he
writers are considered great moralists. should trust himself and follow his personal morals instead of
Walden is considered the best representative of following the laws of society since he has the 'higher law' of
transcendentalism since it shares most of the common nature. He thinks that the individuals should seek out God
transcendental features of this movement. In it, Thoreau gives inside themselves. They can find God everywhere in living
an account of his experience at Walden Pond during the things. In his essay "Self-Reliance", Emerson states that man
period from 1845 to 1847. His experience reveals his should "Trust thyself: every heart, vibrates, to that iron
character as well as his views and opinions in life. To trace string."12 The idea is clear when Thoreau mentions, "If a man
these features, one can easily notice the significance of nature does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is
as a basic element obviously in each chapter of the book. because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the
Thoreau is regarded a great lover of nature in American music which he hears, however measured or far away" (W,
Literature. He appreciates enjoying simple life very close to 242). This means that one should listen to the inner voice
nature. He describes nature with great interest giving the inside his soul and follow it ignoring the laws of other
minute details of his staying in the woods at Walden Pond. institutions in his real world.
Thus, nature for him becomes the source of inspiration and In Walden, Thoreau finds peace and relief during his staying
imagination. In this regard, Thoreau reminds us of the in the woods since he can think freely and understand nature
Romantic Poets especially William Wordsworth in which deeply. He enjoys the life of solitude far away from the noise
they are both fascinated by the beauty of nature. Thus, Ellery of the city. He does not believe in conformity. He wants to
Channing; Thoreau's friend and neighbour, calls Thoreau say that people should be independent and self-reliant so that
"The poet-naturalist."10 It is worth mentioning that Thoreau's they can value their interests and goals. Thoreau clarifies his
fascination in nature is very vivid in all the chapters of point of view when he describes people whom he has met and

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seen in Walden Pond and how they have a few possessions disapproves of the commercial business of people describing
but a lot of freedom and comfort since they do not care for them as machines that work day and night continuously
what they own. In fact, his experiment goes well "beyond without giving themselves any chance to have fun and enjoy
economic self-sufficiency. He advocates independence from their lives. Thoreau mentions:
any kind of attachment- not only physical, but also Most men, even in this comparatively free country, through
intellectual and social. This attitude has often interpreted as mere ignorance and mistake, are so occupied with the
epitomizing rugged individualism."13 Thoreau mentions that factitious cares and superfluously coarse labors of life that its
the “man goes alone can start to-day; but he who travels with finer fruits cannot be plucked by them. Their fingers, from
another must wait till that other is ready, and it may be a long excessive toil, are too clumsy and tremble too much for that.
time before they get off” (W, 55). Actually, the laboring man has not leisure for a true integrity
In Walden, Thoreau gives his account about his journey day by day; he cannot afford to sustain the manliest relations
seeking for spiritual understanding. Through his experience, to men; his labor would be depreciated in the market. He has
he would like to indicate that the individual is capable of no time to be anything but a machine. (W, 8)
defying all the materialistic obstacles that are made by For Thoreau as well as the other transcendental writers,
society. He writes his experience to inspire people to change poverty is not an obstacle to spoil people's life. Nevertheless,
their way of living. He has an optimistic point of view and the main reason behind people's misery is their continuous
optimism is one of the main features of the transcendentalism chase to achieve money and be wealthy. These non-stop
movement. Thoreau writes: pursuits corrupt their lives leading them to be meaningless
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to and fruitless. He considers money and wealth are nothing but
front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not obstacles to prevent people from having a peaceful life.
learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, Hence, one should be satisfied so that he can resist the
discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was temptation of the indulgence in the luxurious life. At the
not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise sometimes, one should appreciate the real value of the things
resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live he/she has regardless of their materialistic value. In this
deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily regard, one can notice how “Transcendentalism clashed with
and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a economic principles of the day. For the Transcendentalists,
broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and capitalism was inherently materialistic, and materialism was
reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why inherently wrong. Mankind must see the higher reality behind
then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish things, not worship the things themselves [14].
its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by Thoreau supports the previous idea when he refers; in chapter
experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next one, to the lives of the ancient Greeks, Chinese, Hindus and
excursion. (W, 68) Persians. He elucidates how those people were wise and
It is obvious that Thoreau stresses the importance of what one intelligent to the extent that a lot of them were philosophers
does not what he thinks or says. He advises people to renew despite their poverty. Yet, they were rich from the inside with
their life depending on their inner power. This power can their morals, shrewdness and judiciousness. For them,
shape up their life into better. “Every man is tasked to make poverty was neither a hindrance to prevent them from
his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his achieving fame and success nor a measurement to decide
most elevated and critical hour. If we refused, or rather used their real value. Thoreau describes their life saying:
up, such paltry information as we get, the oracles would Most of the luxuries, and many of the so called comforts of
distinctly inform us how this might be done” (W, 68). life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hinderances
Thoreau believes in change. He tries to motivate people to to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and
start this radical change regardless where they live because comforts, the wisest have ever lived a more simple and
the most important thing to know is what we are. He asks meagre life than the poor. The ancient philosophers, Chinese,
them to be ready and welcome the possibility of such a Hindoo, Persian, and Greek, were a class than which none
change in which “only that day dawns to which we are has been poorer in outward riches, none so rich in inward.
awake” (W, 248). Thoreau also states: We know not much about them. It is remarkable that we
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by know so much of them as we do. (W, 14)
mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, Thoreau's experience at Walden Pond serves as an example to
which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no prove that man can have a happy life even if it is simple. He
more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man lives in a small wooden cabin which costs him just thirty
to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor. It is something to dollars condemning people who waste their time building
be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and high expensive houses. He furnishes his house with wooden
so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious pieces which are made by himself including a bed, desk and
to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through three chairs. To earn his living, he depends on growing some
which we look, which morally we can do. (W, 68) kinds of vegetables like potatoes, corn and beans. In addition
to that, he gets some money from engaging in other works
It is worth mentioning that Thoreau advocates the life of like carpentry and surveying. He depends on fruits and
simplicity and austerity. He believes that the more one can be vegetables considering this kind of food healthy and
simple, the more he can be elated and content. Thus, he nutritious. He also reduces the meals “instead of three meals

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a day, if it be necessary eat but one; instead of a hundred anything about food in front of them. People of different
dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion.” (W, 69). social classes including doctors, lawyers, shopkeepers,
In Chapter XIII "House-Warming", Thoreau gives a very businessmen, young men and women, beggars and even
beautiful description of his wander in the woods collecting slaves, like to visit him listening to his wise opinion and
different kinds of fruits including grapes, apples and enjoying his simple and quiet life.
chestnuts. He is attracted by the beauty of these fruits saying, Thoreau wants to show his readers the importance of having a
" In October I went a-graping to the river meadows, and simple life. He calls for simplicity warning people of the
loaded myself with clusters more precious for their beauty danger of getting lost in the materialistic world. He thinks
and fragrance than for food." (W, 178). He also finds that that people can be measured by their good deeds and not by
chestnuts are a good substitute for bread. Apart from that, he what they possess. In chapter Two, Thoreau mentions that
observes that there are a lot of things in nature that can be man's happiness cannot be estimated according to the number
good substitutions for something else in reality. He states of things he has because one can be happy even with the
that, fewest things he owns. He wants to say that simple life is
Many other substitutes might, perhaps, be found. Digging one more enjoyable than the complicated one which is full of
day for fish-worms I discovered the ground-nut (Apios materials and unnecessary things. He calls for "simplicity,
tuberosa) on its string, the potato of the aborigines, a sort of simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or
fabulous fruit, which I had begun to doubt if I had ever dug three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million
and eaten in childhood, as I had told, and had not dreamed it. count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb
I had often since seen its crimpled red velvety blossom nail." (W, 69).
supported by the stems of other plants without knowing it to It is obvious that Thoreau can be seen as a great moralist and
be the same. Cultivation has well nigh exterminated it. It has a social reformer. He gives his readers moral interpretation of
a sweetish taste, much like that of a frostbitten potato, and I life. He denounces the commercial greed of people and their
found it better boiled than roasted. (W, 178-79) unbroken pursuit of wealth. He wants to motivate people in
He goes on describing his daily activity in the morning when an attempt to attract their attention to the importance of
he goes to bathe in the pond. He mentions that "every having a simple life like him. Being a moralist is one of the
morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal main features of the transcendental movement.
simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself." In the conclusion of Walden, Thoreau gives his reasons
(W, 67). For him, taking a bath in the pond is one of the most behind leaving the woods and going back to the city. He ends
things that he likes. It is just like a religious ritual that he his staying there saying, ''I left the woods for as good a reason
likes to do every day. Thoreau indicates that, as I went there. Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several
I got up early and bathed in the pond; that was a religious more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that
exercise, and one of the best things which I did. They say that one.''(W, 240). He never thinks of staying there permanently
characters were engraven on the bathing tub of king Tching- because he wants to see and try the other aspects of life. He
thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do believes that life is a precious gift so that one should live it
it again, and again, and forever again.” I can understand that. fully and enjoy its simplicity. After achieving this aim
(W, 67) efficaciously, he finds out that it is the suitable time to return
In this regard, Walden Pond symbolizes the spiritual to the city with successful experiences after spending two
significance of nature which reminds him of nature's endless years in Walden Woods.
capacity to renew life and stirs him to higher aspirations. In
his essay “Thoreau and the Natural Environment,” Lawrence REFERENCES
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