Transcendentalism in Walden

It is no coincidence that this movement took off just as the American literary tradition was beginning to blossom. Transcendentalism, though inspired by German and British Romanticism, was a distinctly American movement in that it was tied into notions of American individualism. In addition to the theme of American democracy, transcendentalist literature also promotes the idea of nature as divine and the human soul as inherently wise. Transcendentalism also had a political dimension, and writers such as Thoreau put their transcendentalist beliefs into action through acts of civil disobedience to the government. The nineteenth century was a volatile one, beginning with the hope and promise of democracy and the development of an American identity and moving towards mass devastation and division by the middle of the century. Slavery and the Civil War, women's rights, growing industrialism and class division, all of these events were influential and each had a role to play in the transcendentalist movement.

Henry David Thoreau is unquestionably one of the prominent writers in transcendentalism. Along with Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thoreau helps to promote the philosophy spreading across America and changes American way of thinking forever. Living solitarily on the shores of Walden Pond for two years, Thoreau elaborates his firm beliefs of transcendentalism in his philosophical work Walden, especially his opinions on the wisdom and divinity of nature and the significance of self-reliance in the individual.

On one hand, Thoreau believes that man can fulfill his search for knowledge of the world and of himself the moment when he communicates with nature. Transcendentalism explains that nature will teach truth and wisdom to those who listen and respect her. To learn of the world, man must respect nature rather than encroach upon her. Thoreau explains that "Nature has no human inhabitant who appreciates her...she flourishes most along far from the towns where they reside" (166). He also stresses that man must study nature and become one with it in order to discover himself. Thoreau achieves this union with nature during the course of his stay at Walden Pond. He says "I come and go with a strange liberty in nature, a part of herself" (107). Transcendentalism also teaches that every part of nature contains a piece of the divine in it. To show this, during one of his thoughtful strolls among the woods, Thoreau declares that "Every little pine needle expanded and swelled with sympathy and befriended me. I was so distinctly made aware of the presence of something kindred to me..." (109). In Walden, Thoreau has emphasized his belief that man can fulfill his search for knowledge of the world and of himself through the wisdom and divinity of nature.

On another hand, Thoreau affirms that the essence of one's individual could be better understood and therefore becoming self-reliant on condition that one discards the want for material belongings. Transcendentalism considers that it helps one become self-reliant to free individual from the restrictions of material longings. Material aims obscure the beauty of the true self by conforming one's wants to the desires of others. Thoreau claims that "Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind" (12). The importance of self-reliance lies in the idea of celebrating the individual's thoughts instead of relying on society for one's opinions. He writes that "The head monkey at Paris puts on a traveler's cap, and all the monkeys in America do the same" (21). Thoreau greatly condemns this practice of fashion because it does not allow for an individual to express his own style. Transcendentalism teaches that nonconformity allows one to find his own identity. Thoreau suggests that "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer" (269). He thinks that in discarding material desires, one might become self-reliant and that possessing this character leads to nonconformity and the celebration of the individual.

From these analyses above, we could reach a conclusion that Thoreau is truly a transcendentalist. As a great believer in this philosophy, he stresses the divinity and wisdom of nature and the significance of self-reliance. He focuses on the individual and the relationship with himself, nature, and God. He considers living simply and plainly would free him to gain a greater understanding of the world around him. Understanding of the world around you could only come after gaining a greater understanding of yourself. Once people break away from the constraints of material desires are they free to begin to explore themselves and the world.