Post #2
After reading "Self Reliance," by Emerson, think of a song that would work as a soundtrack to this essay. What song do you think fits the ideas or themes of this essay?
Post a link to your song here.
Explain, in a few sentences, why you think the song applies to the essay.


Here's one that comes to mind for me:

"Stand up" demonstrates the necessity of "standing up" for one's rights and taking the initiative to demand freedom and justice. I believe this relates to Emerson's idea that one must resist conformity and complacency with injustice, and to seek the highest truth, in whatever form that truth takes on a personal level. Bob Marley is also a figure of independent thinking and social reform, as well as respect for the natural world, which fits with the philosophies of transcendentalism.

What do you think??

Here's your first blog assignment:
Check out some of these links on transcendentalism.

http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/ideas/definitionbickman.html
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/Thoreau-Emerson-and-Transcendentalism-What-Is-Transcendentalism-Introduction.id-134.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ihas/icon/transcend.html
http://www.rain.org/homeschool/history/transcendentalism-introduction-2002.html

Emerson and Thoreau

http://www.bartleby.com/60/145.html

http://www.rwe.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=354&Itemid=403

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9072230/Henry-David-Thoreau


Over-Soul

http://www.hi-des-website.com/oversoul/oversoulI.htm

Look through these links, gather some ideas, and fill out the answers to your webquest.

Now here's your assignment:
Then come up with a definition of your own. In your own words, what is transcendentalism?
Post your definition here on this page by commenting on this post.

Remember, this is a difficult thing to do, because even the transcendentalists didn't agree on one singular philosophy. Just try to look for common patterns of ideas or thoughts as you think of a definition.
Do not copy each other! Do not copy and paste! Think for yourself. What is transcendentalism?