In the introduction, Emerson talks about the discoveries and amazing ideas and thoughts that our forefathers had. In my opinion, I think Emerson is trying to encourage us to view things or ideas on our own instead of taking them from our forefathers. He feels that one should look at things from a fresh perspective as different people have different thoughts, perceptions, and viewpoints of life, thus by looking at things differently, we will be able to come up with much newer ideas; as quoted from the text, “Why should not we also enjoy an original relation to the universe”?. This clearly depicts the idea of romanticism whereby it stresses on emotions and aesthetic experiences of an individual.
This is best described in his quote, “We must trust the perfection of the creation so far, as to believe that whatever curiosity the order of things has awakened in our minds, the order of things can satisfy”. I think this statement is very applicable in today’s world where people tend to trust what is told to them rather than their own instincts. Apart from that, the above quote also encourages people to be curious as curiosity brings answers, and develops a better idea of something rather than just assuming, which again relates to romanticism.
In his first chapter, he talks about writing without referring to anyone before him or referencing, in other words writing an original piece of work. He also says that he believes in his work, and does not depend on anyone else to support him, except himself. This is quoted from the text, “I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me.”
The above clearly highlights that original new ideas are valued during the transcendentalism period. Apart from that, Emerson also discusses “stars” in his 1st chapter. I think he is trying to tell us that a universe is a beautiful place and we are somehow connected to it spiritually. Besides that, Emerson tells us as quoted, “If the stars should appear in one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore, etc”. We tend to not appreciate what we have until we lose it.
One doesn’t stop and admire the beauty of the life they have, they only realize it when they have lost it, and then regret it; which is a bit too late. Emerson also describes a bond which he calls as “correspondences” whereby he describes that people and nature have an intuitive relationship. This is described by the text, “an occult relation between man and the vegetable.” He also explains that we as humans tend to relate to things based on our perception and not on a neutral basis; as quoted, “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.”
I think our sudden discovery of science made us all too lost in searching for facts, or real answers and we somehow forgot to trust our instincts and we don’t really appreciate mother nature due to our rush in our lives. Everyone is too busy at work and people do not really have time to think about their lives or analyze how they are living or even generate fresh ideas. We base our lives too much on science and fail to recognize our very unique talents; which is what Emerson is trying to tell us in his introduction and first chapter.