Transcendatlism

Nature-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I feel this poem is saying that if you want to be alone, if you want time for yourself, it won’t work for you to separate yourself just from man. If you really wanted to be alone just being in your room alone still wouldn’t be enough. If you wanted to clear your mind you would have to become one with nature. It says that nature brings an eternal happiness. Understanding nature would help you escape from all worldly things, makes you feel so free, and so absent minded about all your worries. "I am not alone while I read and write, though nobody is with me. But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds will separate between him and what he touches."

Self-Reliance-Ralph Waldo Emerson

This poem is showing great proof of the Transcendalist beliefs because the poem is saying that God won’t allow anyone who isn’t true to him or pure in their heart, to carry out his work. You had to have good in your heart, which follows the belief that the transcendalist believed everyone was pure and good in their hearts. You have to understand yourself in order to understand all the good that you are expected to portray. "These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world". That verse basically states we know inside what’s right but as we go around our friends and other people in society, we go against the right things just so we wouldn’t become an outcast.

Resistance to Civil Government-Henry David Thoreau

The character in this poem thinks its necessary to get to the root of your problems instead of just covering the surface. "The soldier is applauded who refuses to serve in an unjust war by those who do not refuses to sustain he unjust government which makes the war." This expresses Transcendalism because the character in this story actually describes all the wrong things that are going on; he goes on to say that if we realize we have a problem what good is it to cover it up and act like its not there. "We are all made at last to pay homage to and support our own meanness; after the first blush of sin, comes its indifference and from immoral it becomes, as it were, unmoral, and not quite unnecessary to that life which we have made." When there’s a problem you should go to the source and fix it, instead of just fixing the additional problems it causes.

*) Susan and David planned to marry as soon as they graduated high school. David's father owns a small grocery store, and he has promised David a full-time managerial position once he graduates high school. During their senior year, Susan begins to think she would like to go to school hundreds of miles away. In the spring, Susan receives a full scholarship to this far-off school, and she has also continued making wedding plans with David.

My Opinion:

If I really wanted to go out to a school that I feel would enhance my education then I would go. If the relationship I was in was true love then I would know that it would still stand while I’m off to college; but it would be hard for me to leave. The thought of what he was doing, whom he was talking to would constantly be on my mind and would drive me crazy. I also feel if that’s what I really wanted to do then he would respect my decision out of love and commitment. " Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string"