Transcendentalism and Romanticism are two literary and philosophical movements that emerged in the 19th century in response to the rationalism and empiricism of the Enlightenment. Both movements share some common themes, such as the importance of individualism, emotion, imagination, nature, and spirituality. However, they also differ in some aspects, such as their views on God, society, and human potential. In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between Transcendentalism and Romanticism, and how they influenced American culture and literature.
Contents
What is Transcendentalism?
Transcendentalism is a term that refers to a group of writers, thinkers, and activists who were based in New England in the 1830s and 1840s. The most prominent figures of this movement were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and Walt Whitman. Transcendentalists believed that there is a higher reality beyond the physical world that can be accessed through intuition, self-reliance, and spiritual insight. They rejected the authority of established institutions, such as organized religion, government, and tradition, and advocated for social reform, civil disobedience, and human rights.
According to The Oxford Handbook of Transcendentalism, Transcendentalism was influenced by various sources, such as the Romantic literature of Europe, the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, the mysticism of Eastern religions, and the natural sciences. Transcendentalists valued nature as a source of inspiration, beauty, and divine revelation. They also celebrated the individual as a unique and creative being who can transcend the limitations of society and material existence.
Some of the most famous works of Transcendentalism are Emerson’s essays Nature (1836) and Self-Reliance (1841), Thoreau’s books Walden (1854) and Civil Disobedience (1849), Fuller’s book Woman in the Nineteenth Century (1845), and Whitman’s poetry collection Leaves of Grass (1855).
What is Romanticism?
Romanticism is a broader term that encompasses a variety of artistic, literary, and intellectual movements that originated in Europe in the late 18th century and spread to other parts of the world in the 19th century. Romanticism was a reaction against the rationalism, industrialization, and social conformity of the Enlightenment era. Romanticists emphasized emotion, imagination, originality, individuality, and freedom as essential aspects of human experience. They also expressed a fascination with nature, the supernatural, the exotic, and the sublime.
According to The First Amendment Encyclopedia, some of the most influential Romantic writers were William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, Victor Hugo, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Edgar Allan Poe. Romanticism had a significant impact on various genres of literature, such as poetry, novels, drama, and essays. Romanticism also influenced other forms of art, such as painting, music, sculpture, and architecture.
How are Transcendentalism and Romanticism Related?
Transcendentalism and Romanticism are related in several ways. First of all, they both emerged as a response to the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and science as the only sources of knowledge and truth. They both challenged the status quo and questioned the authority of established institutions. They both valued individualism and self-expression over conformity and tradition. They both celebrated nature as a manifestation of beauty and spirituality. They both explored the role of emotion and imagination in human life.
However, Transcendentalism and Romanticism also had some differences. For instance,
- Transcendentalism was more focused on America than Europe. It was influenced by the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and the ideals of democracy and equality. It also addressed specific social issues that were relevant to America at that time, such as slavery, women’s rights, and Native American rights.
- Transcendentalism was more optimistic than Romanticism. It believed that human beings have an innate potential for goodness, wisdom, and creativity that can be realized through self-reliance and spiritual growth. It also believed that society can be improved through peaceful reform and civil disobedience. Romanticism, on the other hand, was more pessimistic than Transcendentalism. It often portrayed human beings as flawed, tragic, and doomed by fate or society. It also expressed a sense of disillusionment and alienation from modern civilization.
- Transcendentalism was more religious than Romanticism. It had a strong sense of transcendence and divinity that pervades all things. It considered God as an immanent presence within nature and within each individual. It also drew inspiration from various religious traditions, such as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Romanticism, on the contrary, was more secular than Transcendentalism. It had a more ambiguous and diverse view of God and religion. Some Romanticists were deists, who believed in a distant and impersonal God who created the world but does not intervene in it. Some were atheists, who denied the existence of God altogether. Some were pantheists, who identified God with nature or the universe. Some were agnostics, who were uncertain or skeptical about the existence or nature of God.
Conclusion
Transcendentalism and Romanticism are two movements that have shaped American culture and literature in profound ways. They both reflect a spirit of rebellion, innovation, and diversity that characterizes the American identity. They both offer insights into the human condition, the role of nature, and the meaning of life. They both have influenced generations of writers, artists, thinkers, and activists who have followed their footsteps. They both have contributed to the development of the First Amendment and the protection of freedom of expression. They both have enriched the world with their works of beauty and wisdom.
