Introduction
The ideas articulated in the works by Thoreau and the basic principles of Transcendentalism are consistent with the social, political, cultural, and economic changes that happened in the United States in the middle of the 19th century. It is necessary to mention the emergence of the market economy, the formal end of slavery, the beginning of the feminist movement, and the loss of the church’s authority. These reforms changed the way people started to perceive themselves and society. For instance, Transcendentalism was marked by the rise of individualism, emphasis on the spiritual connection between people and the surrounding world, an intuitive side of knowledge, and a high degree of idealism. The central concepts of Thoreau’s works were the notions of a good life, self-reliance, individuality, and anti-materialism, which correspond to the main ideas of Transcendentalism. Thoreau’s perception of human life and personality reflected the changes that occurred in the American society of the 19th century and determined the subsequent cultural development.
Discussion
The concepts of the good life, self-reliance, individuality, and anti-materialism are interconnected in the works by Thoreau. The notion of self-reliance reflected the desire of the philosopher to concentrate on the ability of the person to achieve inner balance and motivation in solitude and contemplation of nature. This perspective is consistent with the Romantic ideas that were popular during the same period, reflecting the time’s spirit (Ilkin 112). The peculiar detail is that socialist and communal ideas have also become popular among Americans, and this Romantic contemplation of nature was opposite to their views. Thoreau wrote about the existence of the Over-Soul that people could see only if they practiced self-reliance (Ilkin 114). The essential thing was finding a balance between participating in community life and self-reliance in the wilderness. It allows one to state that the Transcendental approach to self-reliance supposed individual growth instead of the open confrontation with society with its problems.
Individualism is one of the main characteristics of Transcendentalism Thoreau. This concept is interconnected with the emergence of the market economy in the United States and the appearance of numerous opportunities to improve own life. During this period, the notion of the self-made man appears, which supposes the individual quest for success and prosperity that people can achieve if they work hard and rely on themselves (Bernardini 1). In other words, Transcendentalism by Thoreau focuses on the abilities of the individual to achieve the goals the person sets without the help of the community.
Anti-materialism is another vital notion in understanding the views articulated by Thoreau. The process of contemplation in solitude and the focus on the spiritual growth of the individual suppose that people reject the needs that the material society imposes on them. The works by Thoreau describe the distinction between the physical world and spirituality that offers people the opportunities to understand their selves that real life cannot give. For instance, when Thoreau lived in the cabin near Walden Pond, he achieved spiritual perfection by reuniting with the surrounding nature (Bernardini 2). It was the culmination of anti-materialism that the philosopher could achieve in his life.
In general, the notion of the good life, according to Transcendentalism, combines the characteristics mentioned earlier. People who can fulfill their potential in individualism, self-reliance, and anti-materialism could feel satisfaction from life. It reflected the social, economic, and cultural crisis in American society. The faith did not provide people with enough guidance and support, and the market economy changed their views on success and motivation to work (Ross 80). As a result, the ideas of Transcendentalism proposed to people an alternative view of reality and their personalities.
Thoreau uses real-life examples to illustrate the concepts he discusses in his works. As already mentioned, the example of life in the cabin near the pond where other people could not disturb the philosopher was the illustration of the anti-materialistic desires of Thoreau (Ilkin 113). At the same time, it was also the illustration of the self-reliant individual who wants to achieve a good life through spiritual improvement and unification with nature. The image of the individual who contemplates nature in solitude is the most vivid illustration of the main concepts of Transcendentalism.
It is possible to assume that the benefit of pursuing the traits articulated by Thoreau was finding life’s meaning. In the 19th century, most people experienced the crisis of ideology that was evident not only in religion but also in their social and economic lives. Industrialization and the market economy made people understand that they were alienated from the results of their work (“The Market Revolution: Crash Course US History #12”). People understood that another person could easily substitute their work, and their contribution to life in the community was insignificant (“The Market Revolution: Crash Course US History #12”). As a result, many people could not find peace in their souls, and Transcendentalism gave them the meanings they lacked. These problems fit in with Transcendentalism because they define the problems that people of the 19th century experienced, while philosophy gave them possible solutions.
Even though American society reformed actively in the 19th century, and many people participated in the ideological fight for equal rights, Transcendentalism was not the philosophy of social change. It is unlikely that Transcendentalism would fight for abolitionism, women’s rights, and other reform movements. The main reason is the individualistic essence of this view on life and personality that supposed the alienation from society. The reforms required much revolutionary potential from the person, while Transcendentalism emphasized self-reliant improvement through contemplation. In other words, social movements and Transcendentalism were utterly different.
At the same time, Transcendentalists expressed a comparatively active position against the expansion of slavery, the war between the United States and Mexico, and the cruel treatment of Native Americans (“19th Century Reforms: Crash Course US History #15”). It was the reflection of the dissatisfaction with the government and the society that Transcendentalists of the middle of the 19th century shared (“19th Century Reforms: Crash Course US History #15”). Therefore, it is impossible to state that Transcendentalism was the opposite of all reforms and social movements. Even though its followers tried to achieve self-fulfillment, opposed the materialistic world, and emphasized the importance of individual spiritual improvement, they were not entirely outside the social discourse.
Conclusion
Thoreau’s works feature the main ideas of Transcendentalism, among which are the notions of the good life, self-reliance, individuality, and anti-materialism. These concepts reflected the needs of people who lived in the middle of the 19th century and experienced the crisis of spiritual and social life. Dramatic changes that occurred in the American society of that period marked the need to find a new motivation for life, work, and self-fulfillment. The views of Transcendentalism on the reunion with the surrounding nature, self-reliance, individualistic development, and the attempts to achieve a good life corresponded to the needs of that time society.
Works Cited
Bernardini, Craig. “Bringing Thoreau Back to the Woods.” The Thoreau Society Bulletin, no. 301, 2018, pp. 1–2.
Green, John. “19th Century Reforms: Crash Course US History #15” YouTube, uploaded by CrashCourse, 2013, Web.
Green, John. “The Market Revolution: Crash Course US History #12.” YouTube, uploaded by CrashCourse, 2013, Web.
Ilkin, Huseynli. “Thoreau and the Idea of John Brown: The Radicalization of Transcendental Politics.” The Pluralist, vol. 16, no. 3, 2021, pp. 112–125.
Ross, Austin Bernard. “Confucianism, Transcendentalism, and the ‘Dao’ of Henry David Thoreau.” The Concord Saunterer, vol. 26, 2018, pp. 80–124.