Lauren Zanetakos

November 8

Today in class Mr. Rivers introduced Transcendentalism (1836-1860) which is a literary movement that believes truth exists beyond reason and experience. It’s a part of the larger Romantic Movement. We can relate transcendentalism to American Lit because when the United States were starting to form the government the transcendentalist supported the belief that it was time for liberty independence to make an appearance in writing.

• 2 out of 5of the major Tenets of  Transcendentalism
• Nonconformity
• Do not be who others want you to be.
• Ideas should be original
• Embrace the unconventional
• “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let’s him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away”. -Henry David Thoreau
• Self-Reliance
• Only rely on yourself- independence
• Don’t expect or wait for others to do it for you reach for your dreams.

• What is the difference between solitude and loneliness?
• Solitude is when you want to be alone but are not wishing the company of another while loneliness sadness is an self-destructive nature, feeling bitter around others
• What can we learn from solitude?
• without distraction

    Henry Thoreau was so passionate about self- reliance that he built himself a cottage in the middle of the woods as his own solitude. He believed that it was a cleanse of the soul.