Post V: Contemporary Example of Transcendentalism

From 1985 to 1995, a comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, became popular across The United States. The fictional comics followed the adventures and documented the unique thoughts of an imaginative young boy named Calvin and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. Calvin and Hobbes presents a modern example of transcendentalism because the comics depict underlying themes of transcendental philosophies such as individuality, intuition, optimism, and a clear appreciation for nature.

In this comic, Calvin describes his reasoning for making a generic snowman, explaining that society has made it easier for him to conform to its standards. This contrasts the ideas of transcendentalism that individuality is important. However, in this strip, Watterson is trying to convey the opposite point, that conformity is dangerous, and thus this strip advocates for individuality. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and other transcendental authors have similar ideas about individuality. Emerson writes, “We but half express ourselves, and we are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents” (Field, 184). In this strip, Calvin is "half expressing himself," and, therefore, the comic provides a similar warning, about the dangers of conformity, to Emerson’s writing.

Calvin and Hobbes also draws attention to the importance of intuition, like many transcendental authors. In this strip, Calvin explains the dangers of excessive knowledge, as it can easily get in the way of one’s intuition. Similarly, Thoreau writes, “Our life is frittered away by detail. An honest man has hardly need to count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes, and lump the rest. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity” (Field, 204). Calvin believes that he already knows how to take action, and he fears that details will obstruct his vision with complexities. Thoreau, furthermore, fears that these complexities will cause his life to be “frittered away by detail.” Overall, the two have similar ideas about the value of intuition and the dangers of complexity in human lives.

Calvin and Hobbes comics often use a sense of optimism to portray youth and draw connections to transcendental philosophies. In this strip, Calvin shows optimism, because he sees treasure in what others would consider junk. To demonstrate a similar perspective, Emerson writes, “All natural objects make a kindred impression when the mind is open to their influence” (Field, 180). In other words, all objects are open to interpretation, and optimism causes a positive outlook on these objects. Calvin has an optimistic perspective on his “treasures,” and therefore, by Emerson and Calvin’s standards, the objects become treasure.

Finally, a major theme in transcendental writings is a great appreciation for the natural world. Calvin and Hobbes comics show a deep love for the outdoors. In this strip, Calvin describes the beauty of the stars and establishes the implication that there is more out there than his own life. This observation is wiser than Calvin’s years, and it implies that the natural world holds more importance than human existence. Emerson makes similar observations, “If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of a city of God which had been shown!” (Field, 180). Both Calvin and Emerson see the underappreciated beauty and importance of the stars among human civilization. This similar attitude carries into other aspects of nature, as Calvin has a similar appreciation for the natural world as many transcendentalists.
Calvin and Hobbes represents transcendental philosophy in a modern setting by promoting the transcendental ideas of individuality, intuition, optimism, and an appreciation of nature. Bill Watterson uses a youthful character to show the youthful and simplistic qualities that many American are missing in their lives, and he draws attention back to transcendentalist ideas. In summary, Calvin and Hobbes represents transcendentalist ideas in modern society.

Works Cited

Field, Nancy. Glencoe Literature American Literature: The Reader's Choice. Place of Publication Not Identified: Glencoe Mcgraw-Hill School, 2003. Print.

Post IV: “Civil Disobedience”

In early 2016, construction began on the Dakota Access Pipeline, a 1,172-mile long pipeline providing transportation for oil from the Bakken Oil Field in North Dakota to an oil refinery in Patoka, Illinois. On its way, the pipeline passes through the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and threatens to contaminate the Missouri River, the longest River in North America which is relied on heavily by the Standing Rock Reservation and much of the United States. As construction began in the reservation, many of the residents began to protest in an effort to protect their rights and promote environmental preservation. This cause is worth civil disobedience because the protesters are objecting actions that already break the law, they are attempting to preserve their culture, and they show a strong desire for the discontinuation of the construction.

Provided that those constructing the Dakota Access Pipeline failed to obtain permission from the Natives at the Standing Rock Reservation to build there, the construction is unethical, “The tribe says, that the project violates federal law and native treaties with the US government”  (Levin). Therefore, the protesters are merely standing up for the law in hopes that it will be followed. However, these protests still represent civil disobedience because the protesters of Standing Rock are putting themselves in danger and opposing those in a position of authority. The protesters are not only standing up for themselves, but they are standing up for the rights of their nation as a whole under the protection of federal law. This makes the cause well-worth civil disobedience.

Moreover, the construction of the pipeline puts cultural traditions that have survived through generations of turmoil in jeopardy, “The tribe said the digging has already disrupted sacred burial grounds and that if the project goes under the river and gets any closer to the reservation, there could be irreversible damage to their land and cultural heritage” (Levin). The constructors of the pipeline have shown little respect for the cultures of the Native Americans, and civil disobedience is needed to draw attention to these unethical actions.
It is clear throughout the reservation that the Native Americans have a strong opposition against the construction, and they are willing to withstand a lot of pressure in order to protest, “Police, who are often armed with large tanks and riot gear, have used pepper spray, tear gas, rubber bullets, tasers and other ‘less-than-lethal’ tools to respond” (Levin). If this group of people is willing to go through this level turmoil to stop the construction, then the cause is worth the consequences that Civil Disobedience may bring.
After months of justified civil disobedience in the form of protests, construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline was brought to a halt, thus preserving the rights of the Native Americans and the environment around the Standing Rock Indian reservation. This cause was worth civil disobedience because the protesters were enforcing federal law, protecting their culture, and demonstrating their strong desire for change.

Works Cited

Field, Nancy. Glencoe Literature American Literature: The Reader's Choice. Place of Publication Not Identified: Glencoe Mcgraw-Hill School, 2003. Print.

Levin, Sam. "Dakota Access Pipeline: The Who, What and Why of the Standing Rock Protests." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 03 Nov. 2016. Web. 17 Dec. 2016.

Post III: Thoreau 1

The writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau develop the ideals of transcendentalism and build off of one another. In many ways, Thoreau is a student of Emerson’s philosophy because he uses Emerson’s ideas and puts them into practice. In this way, Emerson develops his own transcendental philosophies. A great parallel between the two authors is the fact that Emerson advises his readers to go into solitude, and Thoreau practices this suggestion in an effort to publish his findings. Emerson writes, “To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society” (Field, 180). Thoreau, thus, escapes society and lives in the woods for over two years.  When describing the reasons for his undertaking, Thoreau explains, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived” (Field, 204). These reasons for Thoreau’s withdrawal from society mirror Emerson’s reasons for the initial proposal. This strongly suggests that Thoreau adopted much of his ideas from Emerson’s writing.

Many of the perspectives that Thoreau grew to accept during his withdrawal from society were similar to those already presented in Emerson’s texts. Emerson states, “The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood” (Field, 180). Emerson praises the knowledge of children because this knowledge is more in tune with nature. Thoreau develops similar ideas, “I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born” (Field, 205). This provides another example of Thoreau’s philosophy stemming from Emerson’s, then growing to form something greater and more developed.

In some cases, Thoreau changes his ideas to contest with Emerson’s within the limits of transcendental philosophy. Emerson writes, “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion. It is easy in solitude to live after our own” (Field, 184). Thus, Emerson implies that in order for one to develop a strong connection with nature and achieve self-reliance, he must secede from society. However, after escaping from society himself, Thoreau expands the definition of solitude to be more general and unique to the individual, “In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude” (Field, 208). Thoreau states that by simplifying one’s life, solitude can be reached even in the midst of society. This contradicts Emerson's philosophy, but still shows a strong parallel between the two writers that suggests that Thoreau was a student of Emerson’s philosophy.

Works Cited

Field, Nancy. Glencoe Literature American Literature: The Reader's Choice. Place of Publication Not Identified: Glencoe Mcgraw-Hill School, 2003. Print.

Post II: Emerson

Transcendental philosophy has strong connections with individualism, the concept of being independent and unique based on one’s personality. Ralph Waldo Emerson highlights individualism in transcendental thought, “There is a time on every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide” (Field, 183). In this quote, Emerson depicts the dangers of denying one's individuality in society. He compares it to suicide, thus implying conformity is self-inflicted and deadly. Emerson, thus strongly promotes individuality as a component of transcendental literature.

Optimism is heavily represented in the transcendental era of literature to convey a feeling of gratitude and enjoyment of the natural world. When describing the stars, Emerson writes, “How great they are! . . . every night come out there envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their astonishing smile” (Field, 180). This excerpt from Emerson’s writing shows a great enthusiasm for the stars, as he tries to instill a similar feeling of appreciation for natural wonders on those who take them for granted. By promoting a feeling of appreciation, Emerson spreads the transcendental ideal of optimism to his readers.

Emerson uses his writing to portray his transcendental philosophies of self-reliance, and he, therefore, focuses on the importance of independence and the dangers of dependence on others. Emerson advises readers, “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates the that iron string. Accept the place the divine Providence has found for you” (Field, 184). In this writing, Emerson tells of the importance of trust in one’s self and in the divine power of God, as it is the key to a pure self-reliance without the aid of others, who ultimately obstruct individuality.

In his writings, Emerson conveys the importance of a focus on one’s intuition, an immediate knowledge based on personal instinct, as a means to reach individuality and purity in an impure society. Emerson explains, “A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought because it is his” (Field, 183). Emerson explains the common problem in society that people are learning to suppress their intuitive thought because it is not accepted. Emerson’s revolutionary ideas to contradict this belief fall into the nonconformist philosophies of transcendentalism.

Works Cited

Field, Nancy. Glencoe Literature American Literature: The Reader's Choice. Place of Publication Not Identified: Glencoe Mcgraw-Hill School, 2003. Print.

Post I: Transcendentalism Overview

Transcendentalism was a literary movement occurring in New England around 1836 based on the philosophies of optimism, individuality, intuition, and idealism. The doctrine is defined primarily by the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau and was inspired by European philosophers and eastern religions. Emerson demonstrates significant transcendental philosophies, “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think” (Field, 184). Emerson explains his ideas concerning individuality and self-reliance as it relates to transcendental thought. Another revolutionary writer contributing to this movement is Thoreau, who displays ideas similar to those of Emerson, “I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion” (Field, 214). Transcendentalism focuses on the idea that people must exceed the limits of society, challenge traditional teachings, become one with nature, and collect knowledge based entirely on experience. Thoreau put these ideas into practice, “I wanted to live deep and suck all of the marrow out of life” (Field, 204). Thoreau depicts his desire to live by the transcendental ideal of optimism and exceeded the limits placed on him. He then summarizes his transcendental ideas in his writing, “I learned . . . that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours” (Field, 208). In summary, transcendentalism focuses on the possibilities of the world and one’s efforts exceed the limits placed on him.

Works Cited

Field, Nancy. Glencoe Literature American Literature: The Reader's Choice. Place of Publication Not Identified: Glencoe Mcgraw-Hill School, 2003. Print.