Transcendentalism: Emerson and Thoreau

The mid eighteen hundreds shall for quite a long time be remembered as a time of thought and reflection. Various upheavals of critical analysis and thinking paved the way for instances such as the Second Great Awakening, and, as some may argue, the more important and consequential era of transcendentalism. Two men, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, are widely considered as two of the fathers of such a revolutionary concept. Through works such as “Self-Reliance” and Nature by Emerson and Walden as well as “Civil Disobedience” by Thoreau, these two men left their mark on the contemplations of the source behind nature and the human soul.

These two men, although sharing similar sympathies in their thoughts, differed completely in their respect of family life. In addition, their behavior towards friendships left them at odds with one another and caused their long and complicated relationship to come to climactic close. How is it, one may ask, that these two stalwart representatives of transcendentalism and romanticism failed to come to terms with one another? The fact of the matter is that although Emerson and Thoreau preached the concept of transcendentalism, they failed to write and compose their works in similar ways and styles do to their varying mental states.

Emerson writes in Nature that “In view of this significance of nature...that nature is a discipline.” The forces of nature all dictate our education of understanding as well as reason. Nature, therefore, is an everlasting and invaluable tool to humanity, as maintained by Emerson. In works such as The American Scholar, Emerson uses examples from history such as the Greeks to show a metamorphosis in the way of celebrations or anniversaries.

Instead of mindless odes and poems, as well as displays of physical prowess, the American Scholar resorts to critical thinking pertaining to what is happening around him. This trait that Emerson wholeheartedly came to embrace and love was not meant to last much longer, and American society began to slip into the habits of former civilizations before them. The transcendentalist effort, although it survives to this day, came to pass as its leaders ceased to drive it forward.

Henry David Thoreau is best known for his declarations of human society in “Civil Disobedience” and even more notably Walden. Receiving national acclaim as well as political resentment for such statements as “That government is best which governs not at all”, in “Civil Disobedience”, he quickly rose through the ranks of transcendentalists. Declaring that democracy was no cure for the faults of government stirred political opposition throughout the United States. He also sparked criticism on his behalf due to statements in “Walden”. One such example would be: “I see young men, my townsmen, whose misfortune is to have inherited farms...for these are more easily acquired than got rid of.” It would be easily maintained that Thoreau, although a genius, may not have been the most personable of men.

A way to discern the differences between the works and writing styles of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau would be to compare one or tow of their best known works. Those which would likely be the most ideal would be to juxtapose Nature and Walden, as they more or less preached the same ideals. While some may argue that Thoreau's Walden would be the more accurate of the two considering it was derived from a first person account of Thoreau's time in the wilderness, it is not the accuracy or legitimacy of each set of statements that is to be measured. It is the fact that Emerson preaches more lighthearted on the importance and value of nature, versus Thoreau's brooding, contemptuous discrediting of society that is primary in significance.

While Emerson may be described as a standard and upstanding citizen, Thoreau is more easily dejected by society and labeled as an adulterate seditionist. Those who would do this cannot be put at fault for their actions, because through works such as “Civil Disobedience” Thoreau openly chastises the government and openly declares it to be corrupt. Charged with such allegations, it is without a doubt that Thoreau would find it harder to find his niche in society than his slightly older contemporary. His constant treks to outside regions such as Canada are indirect testaments to that fact.

Although these two greats continue to live on through their extraordinary works, it cannot be said with confidence that the were as appreciated more then than they are now. Regardless of how they were different, they both etched their everlasting mark on literature in their own separate ways.