Characteristics of Transcendentalism

• Nature: provides mystery, symbolism, and signs to those with a curious appetite
• Importance of Self: knowing oneself allows an individual to receive knowledge about other wordly/spiritual ideas
• Spirituality and Balance: finding the harmony between the universe and its worldy and societal beliefs, as well as, the individual self and its personal, inner beliefs

Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 4: American Transcendentalism: A Brief Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. Web. 4 June 2010. <http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap4/4intro.html>.

Link to Map

Resources about the Transcendental Period

1. Meese, Elizabeth A. "Transcendentalism: The Metaphysics of the Theme." American Literature 47.1 (1975): 1. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 6 June 2007. <http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.mc.maricopa.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=4&hid=119&sid= ea580f83-9abf-42c5-8174-4a31e4c0c184%40sessionmgr109 >.
In this peer-reviewed journal article, the author trudges over the insufficient attention given to the topic of Transcendentalism and daringly explores the literary period as a “philosophical and aesthetic movement.” The author also makes note of the limitations that religious and political criticism placed on Transcendentalism. Meese suggests that placing it within the “metaphysical sphere,” an idea that seems somewhat paradoxical, gives us further insight into an individual’s self-consciousness. By discovering a new sense of self, the audience unveils a new way of analyzing and interpreting a literary period that deals with societal cultures and signs found in nature. EBSCO is illustrious for being a database with legitimate scholarly reviewed article proving that the resource is highly credible.

2. Delano, Sterling F. "American Transcendentalism: A History." American Historical Review 113.3 (June 2008): 831-832. History Reference Center. EBSCO. 12 June 2009. <https://ezp.mc.maricopa.edu/login?url=https://search-ebscohost-com.ezp.mc.maricopa.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=khh&AN=32830308&site=ehost-live>.
This source was pulled from the EBSCO database that is notorious for being a reliable resource for scholarly reviewed articles. This article focuses on Transcendentalism as a religious movement. The article discusses several stepping-stones such as cultural reforms, freedom of religion, separation of church and state, and the importance of liberty utilized in order to achieve this grand movement of Transcendentalism. The author mentions favorable writers that helped mold this movement and how their writings contributed and impacted Transcendentalism. Sterling Delano is an English professor at Villanova University and teaches courses ranging anywhere from Antebellum American Literature to New England Transcendentalism. His educational background provides the necessary evidence that he is a credible authority.

3. Holmes, Oliver Wendell. “Emerson’s Poems.” The Writings of Oliver Wendell Holmes, in Thirteen Volumes. Riverside Press, Google Books. Web. 7 June 2009. <http://books.google.com/books?id=HnFJAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA239& dq=Holmes,+Oliver+Wendell.+%E2%80%9CEmerson%E2%80%99s+Poems.%E2%80%9D&ei=IaMNTNaRLZ2SygShhuHLAg&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false>.
Holmes discusses the individual being and poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson in “Emerson’s Poems.” The excerpt talks about Emerson’s stylistic patterns and the discrepancy between the genius or insanity in his use of uneven verses. The content of Emerson’s poems are also explored in this excerpt. Holmes scrutinizes the “celestial imagery” Emerson employs in his poetry, along with the theme of finding beauty in all of nature. This theme of nature found in Emerson’s poems double as a another lesson in one of the characteristics used in Transcendentalism writing. This source is reliable because it was found on Google Books and the author is renowned for writing and studying multiple literary and law related practices.

4. Gac, Scott. "The Eternal Symphony Afloat: The Transcendentalists' Quest for a National Culture." ATQ 16.3 (2002): 151. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 7 June 2007. < http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=7485580&site=ehost-live>.
The main purpose of this article is to explain the two-way connection between Transcendentalism and the arts. Transcendentalism, as a spiritual movement, idealized the creation of a unified national identity through the arts. This, they believed, would symbolically reflect the character of the nation as much as it would encourage and impact others. Such a change would bridge diversity between race and gender, although the extent was debated. Many transcendentalists aimed to help the country to live up to the self-reliant expectations of the Revolution. At this time, America’s arts were weak and mimicked European style. America's idealism of the Will was seen as not established, forgotten to the money and greed that was corrupting ambition. Transcendentalists, however, are also identified in this article as having relatively high optimism when dealing with their goals. The article mentions music as being god-like because it is universal. Music remains unchanged despite the constant change in language and time. However, the big-name Transcendentalists still chose “inferior” arts (like literature) because it was the Creator-force behind nature, life, and the arts that was important. This article was helpful and reliable because it is a peer reviewed journal that is in MCC’s library. The author is also a member of the English department at the University of Rhode Island whose education shows credibility.

5. Hampson, Thomas. “I Hear America Sing: The American Renaissance and Transcendentalism.” PBS.org. 2 June 2007. < http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ihas/icon/transcend.html >.
This site is an electronic version of the PBS program of “I Hear America Sing.” The linked page in particular looks specifically at the Transcendentalist movement, with additional links to specific writers and artists. The term Transcendentalism is used here interchangeably with the "American Renaissance.” The source includes some of the terms Emerson used in an attempt to better define the movement: “the spark of divinity lies within man; that everything in the world is a microcosm of existence; that the individual soul is identical to the world soul, or Over-Soul” (Hampson). The page also includes a list of the artists involved with and directly influenced by the movement. PBS is known for its educational programs and affiliations and is a credible source.

6. Thomas, Joseph. "Encyclopedia of Transcendentalism. (Book review)." Booklist 103.3 (Oct 1, 2006): 74-5. InfoTrac OneFile. Thomson Gale. Mesa Community Col. Lib. 2 June 2007.
This is a brief review of Tiffany Wayne’s Encyclopedia of Transcendentalism. According to Thomas, the book offers an ambiguous description of this movement, refusing to limit the broad movement with a “tidy definition.” Instead, he quotes Wayne’s desire to explore “the multifaceted cultural context and wide-ranging impact” of Transcendentalism (Thomas). The encyclopedia includes references to several important writers and thinkers people may be unfamiliar with such as Caroline Dall, Margaret Fuller, Jean Louis Agassiz, and John Brown. The reviewer sees the strength of the encyclopedia as being “its recognition of the influence and productivity of women in the transcendental movement” (Thomas). The encyclopedia gives the movement a surprisingly broad time range, from 1780-1909. However, this period does also explore the influences (a rejection of intellectualism and Unitarianism) and outcomes of the movement. The book review is beneficial because they give the reader a thumbnail sketch. From this review, new concepts such as women’s roles in Transcendentalism, as well as, new authors are discovered.

7. Gordon Melton, Ed J. “The Development of American Religion: an Interpretive View.” Thompson Gale. Web. 2 June 2007.
This website discusses the role of Transcendentalism in religion. The website discusses the idea that religion was an entity of the state before the American Revolution. After that point, New England Transcendentalism took on their own personal theories on religion. The source discusses Transcendentalism and religion to clearly fit it into this era. This website brought more meaning in guiding readers to a better understanding of what Transcendentalism is. This website is credible as it carries an author, references, and a publisher. This website was accessed through Mesa Community College’s Thompson Gale Virtual Reference Library.

8. Woodlief, Ann. "The Web of American Transcendentalism." Virginia Commonwealth University. 1999. Web. 02 June 2007. < http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/>.
The purpose of this website is to present the background of Transcendentalism. The website contains information on authors, texts, roots, influences, and criticisms of Transcendentalism. A list containing popular Transcendentalists including the eras in which they lived can also be found on this source. Based on this information one can see if they fit into the era. This resource is helpful in reading, interpreting, and making meaning of the elements. Elements such as author, text, and theme can be chosen to research further on the website. The website has a page of resources and bibliographies to show where the information came from to validate the date utilized. Also there are links from reputable sites, such as Virginia Commonwealth University that show that the sources are credible.

9. Lewis, Jone Johnson. “What is Transcendentalism?” The New York Times Company. 6 June 2007. < http://womenshistory.about.com/bltranscend.htm >.
This website provides information about important historical events and figures. This page focuses on defining the Transcendental Period. Transcendentalism was a time when authors attempted to create a body of uniquely American flavored literature. Already independent from England for decades, America now wanted literary independence. In particular, Transcendentalists were looking to define spirituality and religion. This spiritual hunger gave rise to an intuitive perspective, and an interest in looking to nature to find truth. Most Transcendentalists became involved in social reform movements, such as anti-slavery and women’s rights. They believed that everyone had the right to an education and the opportunity to fulfill their human potential. In addition to defining the period, this resource provided information on transcendental authors and links to other helpful sources. This website is part of the New York Times Company.

10. Price, Matthew. “Our Gang and the Little Woman; American Bloomsbury Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau: Their Lives, Their Loves, Their Work.” Los Angeles Times. 17 Dec. 2006.
This article defines the Transcendental Period by looking at the values of the authors during this period. Transcendentalism is described as an “extraordinary creative burst” full of new ideas (Price). Emerson was trying to get beyond a religion fixated on God, Thoreau was exploring the glories of nature as a Naturalist and American original, and Fuller tested conventional boundaries intellectually. The period represented a time focused on going beyond, exploring, and finding individual truths. This article put together all of the defining components of the Transcendental Period. It focused on what each main figure contributed to the period. This article was found through the library database and is from the Los Angeles Times, a credible news source.


11. “Transcendentalism.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 6 Feb 2003. Web. 6 June 2007. < http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/transcendentalism/ >.
Stanford University’s online Encyclopedia of Philosophy gives credible historical and definitional information on the transcendental period. It claims the period to be “an American literary, political, and philosophical movement of the early nineteenth century, centered on Ralph Waldo Emerson” (Transcendentalism). The page focuses mainly on the experiences and works of Emerson, with a briefer mention of Thoreau. It discusses how the “radical” views of religion and society were received at the time. This website was beneficial in understanding the highly religious origins of Transcendentalism. The .edu at the end of the URL shows that it is an educational source and provides necessary information.

12. Campbell, Donna M. "American Transcendentalism." 21 May 2007. Literary Movements. 17 June 2007. < http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/amtrans.htm >.
The purpose of all the American literature pages is to provide useful, interesting, advertising-free information on the subject and to provide links to the best information available for American literature from the earliest days through the 1920s. The site provides an overview of the "American Transcendentalism" which is brief, well written, and comprehensive. The website includes definitions of Transcendentalism in the words (cited) and views of Ralph Waldo Emerson and of other authors, equally significant of the Transcendentalism movement. The website is helpful in providing information about authors and their text. It briefly notes an author's point of view in the text, as well as, external links to authors’ biographical essays or to websites containing the original text. This site is credible as it is up-to-date. The author who is the associate professor of English, created the website according to specific guidelines required to provide an understandable and navigable website. The information the author provides are cited and the links are provided on the basis of "usefulness to students and researchers” (Campbell).

13. "Immanuel Kant." Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia: First Search World Almanac.
The main purpose of this website is to provide users with information and to serve people with an online encyclopedia. The criteria used for the literary term is Kant’s Philosophy of Transcendentalism. This resource is useful when learning how to further interpret information. According to Kant, people’s modes of thinking are analytic logical and synthetic fake. Synthetic analysis can’t be arrived at by pure analysis (Kant). The truth is discovered by the analysis of the concept itself (Kant). These two propositions are divided into two other types: empirical and priori. This philosophical position is usually known as Transcendentalism. This is a credible website because it gives the readers the philosophy behind Transcendentalism.

14. “Transcendentalism.” Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 23 June 2007. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendentalism >.
Transcendentalism is a movement that originated in New England in the 1830’s. The founding father of the transcendental movement is Ralph Waldo Emerson, whose essay “Nature” provided the founding ideas upon which Transcendentalism would be founded. Transcendentalists derived much of their thought and ideals from the German philosopher Immanuel Kant. Transcendentalists searched for knowledge that came from the inner self and not the senses as was taught by John Locke. Transcendentalism is defined by dates in this article, which is accurate. Transcendentalism remains with us today but reached its zenith in Brook Farm, a transcendentalist community in New England. This resource is helpful because it gives readers a frame of reference when they are reading works thought to be transcendental. The time period and several authors who are stated here help the reader know what time period is being defined. Although Wikipedia sometimes has conflictions when being credible, the sources linked and noted at the bottom of the page are cited.

15. Finseth, Ian Frederick. "’Liquid Fire Within Me’: Language, Self and Society in Transcendentalism and Early Evangelicalism.” 1820-1860. 1995. < http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma95/finseth/trans.html >.
Transcendentalism has a rich background in America. It is said to be related to Puritanism and is connected to Unitarianism of Boston in the late 1820s and 1830s. Unitarianism focused on innate morality and serenity, but Transcendentalists wanted a “more intense spiritual experience” (Finseth). They believed that finding God depended upon “one’s inner striving towards spiritual communion with the divine spirit” (Finseth). Influenced by Coleridge, Wordsworth, Goethe, and Kant, Transcendentalists professed the importance of reason and believed that the mind was capable of communing with God. Transcendentalists also believe that God existed throughout nature, not apart from it. This site has very detailed information about the religious development and background of Transcendentalism way of thinking. It gives a very thorough explanation of the possible worldview of a Transcendentalist author. The site is accessed through XRoads, a University of Virginia site about American studies.

16. "Transcendentalism." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 4 June 2008. < http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9073185>.
The purpose of the website is to provide web access to anyone who may need information out of the encyclopedia. This website talks about the period as a time when the writers of the period were exploring thought and creation. They understood the importance of man and equality and also were the start of a very artistic movement. It is helpful to make sense of other elements such as authors and themes because it has such a vast supply of information. Most of the famous authors from the period can be researched on this sight as well. This is a credible website because the link is from the library’s page and also because it is a very renowned encyclopedia used by students all over the country.

17. Lewis, Jone Johnson. "The Transcendentalists." 4 June 2008. Amazon.com. 4 May 2008. < http://www.transcendentalists.com>.
The main point of this website is to help the people that view it to better understand the Transcendentalism period and the authors that go along with it. It offers definitions of what he believes the period is about and further help the readers in understanding it. It also focuses on Ralph Waldo Emerson and other authors during that time to delve further into what and why they were writing the material they were. According to this website, if a person was to check a piece of work to see if it fits in this period, one would look for a hint of rebellion against the common beliefs of that time. Transcendentalism writing also has a sense of trying to figure out spirituality and one’s purpose. Transcendentalists looked at humans as spiritual equals so there was little discrimination in their writing. Social topics such as slavery and feminism were often written about. This resource was helpful in finding information on the authors, themes, and vocabulary because it has multiple links on it to other sites with information, as well as, having different sections within itself that cover the terminology and authors. The site seems quite credible because it is sponsored by a major company, Amazon.com, and because the author has written several other pieces on the subject that are posted on other websites.

18. "Introduction to American Transcendentalism." American Transcendentalism Web. Mar.-Apr. 1999. 10 June 2008. < http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/ideas/introduction.html >.
This website is a branch off of Virginia Commonwealth University, a modern accredited school, and not only provides a great overview of what Transcendentalism is, but also links to additional resources that can be useful for research. It focuses on introducing what characterizes Transcendentalism and then has extra information detailing further explanations. It also gives links and information to authors such as Emerson, Whitman, Thoreau, Dickenson and many more well known Transcendentalist authors. It provides not just one detailed definition for Transcendentalism but multiple suggestions so that readers can find the one that works with the writer they need to research.

19. Danowitz, Erica Swenson. “American Transcendentalism: A History.(Brief article) (Book review).” Library Journal. November 2007. 132. 18. < http://find.galegroup.com.ezp.mc.maricopa.edu/itx/retrieve.do?contentSet=IAC-Documents&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28KE%2CNone%2C17%29transcendentalism%24&sgHitCountType=None&inPS=true&sort=DateDescend&searchType=BasicSearchForm&tabID=T002&prodId=AONE&searchId=R1&currentPosition=8&userGroupName=mcc_mesa&docId=A171622687&docType=IAC >.
This article is a review of a book about the history of Transcendentalism. The review offers valuable information about the literary era and what to expect when dealing with Transcendentalists’ works. Mainly, it says that themes in the period ranged from self-reliance and individualism to humanitarian reform. This is helpful because reading literature from the era is clearly defined and helps the reader identify what makes something or someone a “transcendentalist.” The article also shared some of the history of the movement. This source was credible because it came from the MCC Library database.

20.“Transcendentalism.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 19 Feb 2007. 10 June 2008.< http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/transcendentalism/ >.
This website’s purpose is to provide definitions of various philosophical terms. In this instance, it defines Transcendentalism. It names authors from the period and talks about the origins of the movement. It also helps to provide criteria for literature that would fall within the category. This criteria includes individualism along with an emphasis on nature. The site also mentions a “natural supernaturalism,” which can clearly be seen in certain works, including that of Samuel Coleridge. This was helpful because it explained in clear detail what Transcendentalism meant for literature. This website was credible because it was an .edu (educational) website.

21. Westbrook, Perry D. “Leaves of Grass: Overview.” Reference Guide to Literature. 3rd ed. St. James Press, 1994.
The point of this source is to give information about literature. This article is an overview of Walt Whitman’s book of poetry, Leaves of Grass, from which the poem “I was Looking a Long While” is taken from. It explains that his work in general focuses mostly on consciousness and awareness. There were also poems that dealt with the idea of democracy. This will help in readings of various poems with Transcendentalism as a theme because it gives a broader understanding of Whitman and what he was trying to get across in his writing. This source also helped with the understanding of Transcendentalism because it explored some of the themes relevant to the era. This article was credible because it had a stated author, was from a reference book, and came from the MCC Library Database.

22. Johnson, Jone. "Transcendentalists." Transcendentalists. 14 June 2008. <http://www.transcendentalists.com/>.
A comprehensive website that covers the basics about Transcendentalism. It also gives information about the leading authors in that time period. It is updated frequently and has won numerous awards. It is extremely informative and comes highly recommended, is easily accessible and is thoroughly understandable.

23. Goodman, Russell. "Transcendentalism." The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2007 Edition). 18 June 2008. <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2007/entries/transcendentalism/>.
This website focuses on the definition of the literary period and of the word “transcendentalism” in general. It defines it as a philosophical movement in which authors adapted and wrote from a spiritual intuition that surpasses scientific explanation. This website helped to understand the authors of this period and many elements and themes that fall in its wake. This website is from an accredited university.

24. Johnson, Jone Lewis. "Transcendentalists." 2002. <http://www.transcendentalists.com/>.
This site is very accommodating because it listed all the information an individual needs to learn about this time period. The site includes quotes, info about writers during the period, and the significant historical information. This site is credible because it is not only based just toward information about this period, but it contains several recognized sponsors who wouldn't have sponsored a site they didn't believe to be accurate. The biggest sponsor was "Amazon.com" who promotes books about the period. If they thought the information on the site was not accurate they wouldn't have their name on the web site. According to the web site, Ralph Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were some of the most popular writers.

25. Mead, Walter Russel. “American Transcendentalism: A History. (Brief article) (Book review).” Foreign Affairs. 87.2 (2008): 162(1). General OneFile. Gale. Mesa Community College. 30 June 2009.
<http://find.galegroup.com.ezp.mc.marciopa.edu/itx/start.do?proId=ITOF>.
This article describes how the Transcendentalist movement was for Liberal Protestants and secular Americans. The author describes the idealistic and romantic writings of Goethe, Carlyle, and Coleridge. He also writes about Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Henry David Thoreau, and Henry James Sr., explaining how they took interest in careers of intellectual, spiritual, and political experimentation. After reading this article, it is now easier to interpret Transcendentalism by looking for key terms or topics in writing. These topics include ideas such as racial individualism and social activism. This is a credible resource because it was found on the MCC electronic resources website. The author is cited in the article as well as the book title.

26.“Transcendentalism.” The MYSTICA. 12 June 2009. <http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/t/transcendentalism.html >.
The main purpose of this website is to provide the reader with information as to what Transcendentalism is. It gives the background as to how and when the movement began in the early 19th century. Not only does it describe the movement itself, but it also provides information on the famous authors to arise from the period. This website was helpful in interpreting the meaning behind Transcendentalism because of the detailed information is provided. The article briefly mentions that Gandhi and King were inspired by Thoreau’s essay, “Civil Disobedience.” The source is credible because it has links to all the sources used in writing the article

27. " Transcendentalism.” 13 October 1998. <http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/4747/transcend.html >.
The purpose of this website is to define Transcendentalism and its characteristics. This website offers information the infamous Transcendentalists, the American roots, and various links and cited sources to other transcendentalist websites. This site allows its readers to gain further information on terms and definitions not previously known.

28. “American Renaissance." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 12 June 2009. <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9006132 >.
Transcendentalism was a very important period in the history of American literature. Transcendentalists did numerous tasks in order to free society from oppressive values. They reformed church and state and focused a good portion of their time on the natural world. They believed in freedom of religion and expression and fought to abolish slavery. This site is a great resource and is reliable because Encyclopædia Britannica is a renowned source.


29."Transcendentalism." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009. Merriam-Webster Online. 25 June 2009. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcendentalism>
The purpose of this resource is to provide reliable definitions so that individuals and groups can have a common denominator when defining what they are talking about. The reason that this specific definition falls under the transcendentalism period is because Webster provides the date of the published word which happens to be 1803 clearly involved during the Transcendentalism period. Webster gives three definitions for the word that can help people better understand Transcendentalism. 1: a philosophy that emphasizes prior conditions of knowledge and experience or the unknowable character of ultimate reality; emphasizes the transcendent as the fundamental reality. 2: a philosophy that asserts the primacy of the spiritual and transcendental over the material and empirical. 3: the quality or state of being transcendental; especially visionary idealism. All three definitions can help people better understand the beliefs of Transcendentalism. This is a credible website because it is the Merriam-Webster dictionary which is known as a reliable history of the English language because it has held onto definitions were originally used in our past.

30. Matthews, Terry. "Transcendentalism." WFU. 25 June 2009. <http://www.wfu.edu/~matthetl/perspectives/nine.html>.
This website's main purpose is to lecture and educate students on various topics. The website was produced by a Christian adjunct faculty professor who has his Master of divinity, as well as, his PhD in church history. He looks at transcendentalism from a Christian perspective. He assembled the website in order to combine knowledge with modern day technology so that others could benefit from learning the things he is educated about. He has posted two courses on his page. Transcendentalism is notorious for many authors, one of which is Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson is one of the key people Matthews talks about when defining Transcendentalism. This current reference to a popular author shows that his lecture notes are based in the correct time period. This a very useful resource and can help people in the future better understand the topic of Transcendentalism. This resource is credible is because he is a learned man on an .edu website and his academic history provides credible sources.

31. Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 4: American Transcendentalism: A Brief Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 8 June 2009. <http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap4/4intro.html>
This site provides an overview of transcendentalism via explanation, definition, quotation, lists, and outside resources. The aim is to help its readers recognize, and understand, transcendentalism and its opposition. The main idea is that transcendentalism was a movement, not a religion. It was inspired by eastern belief systems. Yet, transcendentalists share similarities with some of the earlier movements. Emphasis on the individual, and their personal interpretation of the world, is present but not as fixed as Deist rationalism. Transcendentalism varies from Romanticism because it does not rely on the senses. Rather, intuition is emphasized; it is the spiritual connection of a higher intelligence to yourself, everyone, and everything. This is why nature is a common topic. To “know thyself” is to better understand the world, to understand a God-force that is nearly outside understanding. Thus it is believed that one’s own observations and interpretations of nature, at a given moment, will inspire insight into their inner state. I found this site helpful because it is a “grand tour” of transcendentalism. The site has credibility because it’s a university project, courtesy the English department of California State University. It also uses outside resources (books) to support its own information, and these are presented in professional citation.

Zandonella, Liza. Forest Transcendentalism. Library Media Specialist. Web. 6 June 2010.

Early American Transcendental Authors

• Henry David Thoreau
• Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Walt Whitman
• Margaret Fuller
  
• Orestes A. Brownson
• Jones Very
• Elizabeth Palmer Peabody
• Christopher Pearse Cranch
• Emily Dickinson

Straka, Mr. "YouTube - Transcendentalism Keynote." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. 17 Feb. 2008. Web. 07 June 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji0rJDwchpI>.

Unknown Period Reflections

• The Missing Link
• Reflecting on Transcendentalism - Student UnKnown Reflection Paper
• Reflection on Oneself
• Reflection on Transcendentalism- Sarah Brown