Transcendentalism Beliefs
Who was the founder of the American Transcendentalism movement?
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is expository writing?
It exposes facts by explanation and informing the reader.
How does Emerson view man's connection to the land?
He believes that a person cannot own the landscape of nature.
Who was John Brown?
He was an abolitionist who was sentenced to death for his raid of Harpers Ferry in an effort to assist enslaved African Americans with obtaining their freedom.
What is the term for the belief that mankind, nature, and God are all interconnected?
The oversoul
Where did Transcendentalists believe that a person was closest to God?
In nature
What are the four purposes of expository writing?
To educate, explain, inform, and instruct
According to Emerson, what influences the way that a person feels about nature?
Their mood
What is civil disobedience?
Civil disobedience is the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest.
Transcendentalism is defined as what type of movement or school-of-thought?
It was an intellectual and philosophical movement.
What social reforms and advocacies did Transcendentalists support?
Abolishing slavery and supporting women's rights
List three types of expository texts.
Essays
Newspaper articles
Magazine articles
Instructional manuals
Technical guides
Textbooks
Encyclopedias
Emerson's writings suggest that this impacts our view and understanding of nature.
Our experiences
Why did Thoreau think it was important to document John Brown's final days?
Thoreau respected him and supported his cause as an abolitionist. He believed Brown was a hero and did not deserve the punishment he received.
According to a Transcendentalist, what type of connection should exist between mankind and nature?
A spiritual connection
How did Transcendentalists view a child's connection to nature?
They believed they were more appreciative of it and better connected to it than adults.
List three defining characteristics of expository writing.
Logical
Fact-based
Objective
Clear about its purpose
Presented in a linear format
In "Nature", Emerson writes that nature can be both "comic and melancholy". What does this suggest about nature?
Our perception of nature mirrors our experiences.
What was the purpose of Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience"?
Individuals have a responsibility to disobey unjust laws that go against their morals.
As a poet, what purpose does nature serve for Emerson?
Nature can inspire the human spirit.
Transcendentalists believed in what type of truth regarding humanity?
Universal truth
What is the purpose of this text?
Johannes Gutenberg was born in Mainz, Germany, in 1398. Today he is known as the inventor of the modern printing press. When he was young, books weren't like they are today. Most books were actually manuscripts, or texts written by hand. Manuscripts took a long time to make and were expensive. Only rich people could afford them. Gutenberg wanted more people to be able to enjoy reading. His printing press made it easier and cheaper to print books, so more people could own books.
To inform readers about the invention of the printing press
What was the purpose of Emerson's essay "Nature"
Emerson explains that individuals can better connect to and understand nature if they look past society's demands and expectations.
What was the purpose of Thoreau's "The Last Days of John Brown"?
Thoreau wanted to inform the reader about John Brown's heroism and society's divided and changing reaction to Brown's act and punishment.
List three major themes associated with Transcendentalist literature?
Nature, equality, and spirituality