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0e.American Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emphasized the inherent goodness of people and nature.
i.Transcendentalists believed in the divinity of the individual, the importance of self-reliance, and the potential for spiritual insight through intuition and contemplation.
ii.The movement sought to transcend the limitations of the physical world and established institutions to connect with higher spiritual truths.
b.The characteristics of American Transcendentalism include
i. Individualism: Transcendentalists championed the idea of individualism and self-reliance. They believed in the inherent goodness of people and stressed the importance of trusting one's own instincts and beliefs.
ii.Nature: Nature held a central place in Transcendentalist thought. They believed that nature was a direct manifestation of the divine and that by connecting with the natural world, individuals could gain spiritual insight.
iii.Intuition and Inner Experience: Transcendentalists valued intuition and inner experience over formalized religious doctrines. They believed that direct, personal experience with the divine was more meaningful than adherence to established religious practices.
c.Here are some examples of this kind.
i.Ralph Waldo Emerson‘s essay "Nature" and collections of essays such as' Self-Reliance" are central to Transcendentalist thought.
ii.Henry David Thoreau is known for his book "Walden," where he reflects on simple living in natural surroundings.
