The American Transcendentalists: Essential Writings

by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller

Transcendentalism was the first major intellectual movement in U.S. history, championing the inherent divinity of each individual, as well as the value of collective social action. In the mid-nineteenth century, the movement took off, changing how Americans thought about religion, literature, the natural world, class distinctions, the role of women, and the existence of slavery.
Edited by the eminent scholar Lawrence Buell, this comprehensive anthology contains the essential writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and their fellow visionaries. There are also reflections on the movement by Charles Dickens, Henry James, Walt Whitman, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. This remarkable volume introduces the radical innovations of a brilliant group of thinkers whose impact on religious thought, social reform, philosophy, and literature continues to reverberate in the twenty-first century.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics, Essays, Nonfiction, History, Religion, Anthologies

608 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2006

About the author

Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in Boston in 1803. Educated at Harvard and the Cambridge Divinity School, he became a Unitarian minister in 1826 at the Second Church Unitarian. The congregation, with Christian overtones, issued communion, something Emerson refused to do. "Really, it is beyond my comprehension," Emerson once said, when asked by a seminary professor whether he believed in God. (Quoted in 2,000 Years of Freethought edited by Jim Haught.) By 1832, after the untimely death of his first wife, Emerson cut loose from Unitarianism. During a year-long trip to Europe, Emerson became acquainted with such intelligentsia as British writer Thomas Carlyle, and poets Wordsworth and Coleridge. He returned to the United States in 1833, to a life as poet, writer and lecturer. Emerson inspired Transcendentalism, although never adopting the label himself. He rejected traditional ideas of deity in favor of an "Over-Soul" or "Form of Good," ideas which were considered highly heretical. His books include Nature (1836), The American Scholar (1837), Divinity School Address (1838), Essays, 2 vol. (1841, 1844), Nature, Addresses and Lectures (1849), and three volumes of poetry. Margaret Fuller became one of his "disciples," as did Henry David Thoreau.

The best of Emerson's rather wordy writing survives as epigrams, such as the famous: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines." Other one- (and two-) liners include: "As men's prayers are a disease of the will, so are their creeds a disease of the intellect" (Self-Reliance, 1841). "The most tedious of all discourses are on the subject of the Supreme Being" (Journal, 1836). "The word miracle, as pronounced by Christian churches, gives a false impression; it is a monster. It is not one with the blowing clover and the falling rain" (Address to Harvard Divinity College, July 15, 1838). He demolished the right wing hypocrites of his era in his essay "Worship": ". . . the louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons" (Conduct of Life, 1860). "I hate this shallow Americanism which hopes to get rich by credit, to get knowledge by raps on midnight tables, to learn the economy of the mind by phrenology, or skill without study, or mastery without apprenticeship" (Self-Reliance). "The first and last lesson of religion is, 'The things that are seen are temporal; the things that are not seen are eternal.' It puts an affront upon nature" (English Traits , 1856). "The god of the cannibals will be a cannibal, of the crusaders a crusader, and of the merchants a merchant." (Civilization, 1862). He influenced generations of Americans, from his friend Henry David Thoreau to John Dewey, and in Europe, Friedrich Nietzsche, who takes up such Emersonian themes as power, fate, the uses of poetry and history, and the critique of Christianity. D. 1882.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was his son and Waldo Emerson Forbes, his grandson.

Reviews

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in a comprehensive but detailed overview of American Transcendentalism, then this is your book. Each section looks at Transcendentalism from a different genre: religion, art, literature, nature, and education. Buell provides compelling and interesting introductions to each primary source, and you get exposure to all the thinkers who were associated with this American movement of the mid- nineteenth century. Plus Buell includes writers who originally were with the movement but left. A tremendous resource to experience American Transcendental thought from a wide variety of people who were involved. A++

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting collection of important works from the main Transcendentalist thinkers of 1830-1850. The Transcendentalists were the first intellectual group to be truly American. While some of their ideas were influenced by the German Philosophers, these Americans adapted and expanded them to be their own. As a movement it did not survive the mid-nineteenth century, but even today its lofty ideas are in the American psyche. Walden pond was one of the first pieces of land to be conserved. The championing of nature led to the development of national parks and influenced people like John Muir. The Transcendalists cared about a variety of issues, they were abolitionists, cared about education reform and the need for women to be educated, religious reform, centered mostly on the idea of the individual as divine. This collection does a wonderful job on showing the many different views and subjects within the movement and the surprising collection of women writers and thinkers. Bronson Alcott tried to found a commune that was only semi-successful, but this idea trickled down to the Hippies of the 1960s and 70s. The compilation focuses a lot on Emerson since he played such a pivotle role in the movement. But it also gives us writings by him as an older man who rejected his previous beliefs, it helps put into context the movement as a whole. The book also contains responses to the movement by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry James and Charles Dickens, all who were critical but impressed by the movenment. This is a great collection for those who have an interest in the movement and can help direct someone to do a deeper study of the subject. What I found lacking in the book was the absence of footnotes. The mini essays at the beginning of each section were interesting, but there could have been a stronger editor presence.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A excellent collection, skillfully selected and edited. It includes both major and minor writers, and both major and minor works. It even includes briefer excerpts from a few of the Transcendentalists' critics (most notably Andrews Norton) and a chapter of retrospectives from late in the century. This collection isn't really suitable for research, but it would be an excellent reader for any undergraduate class and for many graduate courses.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Modern American Library is another of this country's eminently laudable efforts to preserve significant texts of American writers for future generations, even when the "reader demand" for them is less overwhelming and/or when their writing style has long gone out of favor.

This 530 plus page edition of significant writings of the Transcendentalists is an excellent example.

The Transcendentalists were quite a varied group of writers, thinkers, and activists -- many of them combined all three qualities, actually -- who, beginning in the 1830s and, in the persons of people like Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, continued to be active throughout the rest of the 19th century -- have contributed much in the way of "new thinking" and, indeed, new forms of activism.

The most famous of these are likely Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, but there were many, many others, too, including a number of notable female thinkers and activists.

While Emerson is undoubtedly the most justly known for giving voice to the wide-ranging sentiments of these folks, they collectively came to influence significant reforms in education, became among the most fervent of supporters of abolitionism and the attainment of equal rights for women, and were definitely among the first to advance environmental awareness and concerns.

While their spiritual thinking came very close to a kind of pantheism, in which God or the Eternal Being was omnipresent in and of all things, they also -- in their disdain for and resistance to both "mass America" and "commercial mankind" -- advanced an evolved sense of individualism that, for me at least, while having definite positive impact also contributed to the kind of "me-first-think" that regularly appears to poison republican democracy.

This latter was not their intent, however. Rather, they were pushing back against the kind of mental programming embodied in such thoughts and practices as "woman's place was in the home" and that the "best" education for young men was preparing for them to compete in the economic sphere. Inevitably, however, their paeans to the virtues of individuals striving to attain their own unique, exalted destiny also complicated the social connections to, and interactions with, the larger communities of which they were a part.

For persons interested in Transcendentalism, I would recommend the excellent DVD lecture series from the Teaching Company's Great Courses entitled, "Emerson, Thoreau, and the Transcendentalists." It is not only a superb introduction to the entire movement, if such it can be called, but also to most of the more significant players, including again several eminent women.

THIS book is a superb resource, more to be dipped into, I think, then read through (the latter is what I attempted). It is a sampling -- at times, with quite extensive and multi-page expositions -- of the many key figures and of their numerous interests.

And, while I continue to respect much (not all) of Emerson's key thoughts, I have to admit that I have certainly met my match in "loquaciousness." Long-time friends have often accused me -- not always jokingly -- of being too wordy, especially in what I write. However, Emerson never passes up a chance to say what he could in ONE word by substituting instead FIFTEEN or TWENTY words. My God!

Of course, those were the days when people sat through -- indeed, often expected -- addresses of two or three hours. A few of Emerson's most notable speeches are reprinted here in GREAT length, and I often found myself getting "lost" in his effluence of words! I truly believe even the most important ideas are best expressed clearly and BRIEFLY.

In summary, if you are just mildly interested in Transcendentalism, then this is probably NOT the book for you. For more serious students, or for those who want a chance to sample a wide variety of thought by various figures, this would be a superb companion.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

My friend and I read selections from this book. It was not at all what we were hoping that it would be- it was quite dry and boring. We were hoping for more of a general overview and more biographical information.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read selections of this with a friend. It’s not it all what we were expecting it to be. It ended up being quite dry and boring.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so much more than what I was expecting. I think it has writings from every transcendentalists, some I did not know about. This is a must for someone interested in the spirit of America.

[jaidan · Rating 4 out of 5]

literally disgusting. hippies.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic introduction and survey of transcendentalism. Buell's introductions are more than summaries of the various sections, but thoughtful and historical snapshots of the times. This book covers the multifaceted aspects of the transcendentalists, from their take on religion, their own spiritual practices, their attempts at social change, their social activism, and their poetry. This book's a keeper.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, probably my greatest memory associated with this reader is my close reading of Channing's theological critiques of Calvinism juxtaposed against the 50-Shadesesque-porn being read by the person next to me on an airplane. Never had I thought of "schism" in a sexual context before. It was...really weird.

The anthology itself was very good. Well edited. The introductory essay and notes prior to each text were very helpful.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great selection that highlighted both the well-known, as well as the polemic transcendentalist viewpoints of the time. While the editor, Lawrence Buell has an obvious love for Emerson that gets in the way of his introducing other authors, this book is still a winner with carefully chosen essays that show the varied opinions of transcendentalists.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting an in depth perspective on Transcendentalist writing. I think the editor seems to have a fixation on certain writers, but that being said, I did enjoy the collection. I took my time with it, sometimes re-reading passages that I thought were especially succinct. It is a good collection to start at if you're looking for an introduction to Transcendentalism.

[Adam Oyster-Sands · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of the Transcendentalists, especially Emerson and we read a lot of Emerson...

[Sarah J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the two Margaret Fuller essays: Recollection of Mystical Experiences (1840) and American Literature (1846). I really like the both of them because she has a way to weave him her feminity into the essay. Rather than let the patriarchy dominate her, she didn't lose herself and instead, preached and wrote about her ideas. Despite acknowledging how as a women in this time period she wouldn't be able to make significant change, she is ok with it and instead, thinks of it as prepping the road for the future generation. I also really like how she uses her personal experiences as a women to explain her beliefs. Not only this, I think it is very smart of her to constantly refer to the child and role of a women because she uses this to strengthen her point, rather than let this restrict her. Compared to Thoreau and Emerson, I think the part where she widely differentiates is her focus on women. She imagines a society with not only women, but also minority as she recognizes their struggles as well. In addition, this leads her to see a future of American culture that is free and unqiue from the constraints of European traditions. However, she thinks that we can use it as a foundation, just we should build something great from it, similar to how Thoreau thinks except Thoreau doesn't think we should chase fame or materialistic things but rather this higher intelluctual self.

[Loren Picard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great survey of American Transcendentalism. Don't come to this topic with pre-conceived notions. Keep in mind the historical context of the times and don't forget the educational backgrounds (some back to the late 1700's) of the early Transcentalist figures. I found a lot to appreciate as well as a lot to take issue with. My issues come from knowing the 200 years of intervening history since the Transcentalist ideas took root; this makes the book a good history book as well as a book of insights.

[Rusteen Salehi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I did not read all of the writings, I thoroughly enjoyed many of the ones that I did. In particular, I loved "Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau. All of the writings, although difficult to understand because of the complicated sentence structure, prompted deep thinking. I highly suggest anyone who values their independent thinking to read a few writings, at least one from Thoreau, one from Emerson, and one from Fuller.

[222 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I read for English (Transcendentalism) that I really really enjoyed. I thought it was a very interesting collection of writings / essays that were well put together, and I especially appreciated the forwards / intros that came before the pieces. I did not read all (only the ones I was assigned) but I really liked learning about this academic movement.

[Gena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always wanted to know just a little bit about Emerson and the Transcendentalists who lived just down the road in Concord, MA and were the neighbors and friends Louisa May Alcott grew up with. Now I've read this book (and a biography of LMA) and I'm done.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really wasn't my cup of tea, but I had to read it for a class.

[Arabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was extremely helpful for my research project and it was easy to navigate. I really recommend it as a good reference book

[Anaïs Nin's Blk Sis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the most boring thing except for the poems they were better then the essays 😌

[Ole · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting, repetitive

[charlotte ❀⑅*⳾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

blah

[Yan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really spiritual actually!

[Oleana · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting, repetitive

[ػᶈᶏϾӗ]

Some fun stuff in here. Buell has done scholars a service with this collection.