Description
High School English2. “I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion” declares Henry David Thoreau in his essay Civil Disobedience. The statement captures not only Transcendentalist values but also the spirit of independence that fueled the colonists and became a deeply ingrained part of American culture. Explore the implications of these instilled values. How does this mindset work in practice rather than in theory? Using at least one piece of early or modern American poetry, prose, or fiction, consider what happens when characters or individuals follow this advice. Does going against the grain in this way turn out to be worthwhile? Are there additional factors about who that person/character is or who/what they are rebelling against that further complicate following this recommendation or the success he/she is met with?
Though your research paper may use the quotes provided, it need not do so. However, your paper must include at least one text from the list below and at least 3 additional valid scholarly sources. Your paper must be 4 pages in length (excluding the mandatory Works Cited page). You must use MLA format. The scholarly articles must be found in JURN.org or Gale.com.
List of primary sources. You must use at least one of the following:
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery
Lois Lowry’s Gathering Blue
William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation”
Mary Rowlandson’s “The Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson”
Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
Anne Bradstreet’s poetry
Henry David Thoreau’s Walden
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment”
William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”
Susan Glaspell’s Trifles
Explanation & Answer
View attached explanation and answer. Let me know if you have any questions.
View attached explanation and answer. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Transcendentalism
The philosophical ideology of transcendentalism erupted around the nineteenth century as
a force to go against the ideologies of utilitarianism. Its founders were Ralph Emerson and David
Thoreau. As a philosophical ideology and school of thought, transcendentalist values are centered
around spirituality but not literal. This means that transcendentalists believe that anything that
makes an individual feel intuition as they reflect on themselves can be explained as spirituality.
Thus, the whole concept of spirituality cannot be described or explained rationally or by applying
reason (Thoreau 4). Aside from the ideals of spirituality, the school of thought also looks like an
individual being self-reliant and independent rather than dependent on organized politics, religion,
and acclaimed social norms as they corrupt a person's mind. Therefore, people should always strive
to be their authority and rely more on what they feel and their intuition rather than the voice of
reason and intellect. Also, transcendentalists believe that nature is inherently good and divine.
Explore the implications of these instilled values. How does this mindset work in practice
rather than in theory?
In looking at Henry Thoreau's essay, it's clear that he brings forth his arguments against
the government in a rather theoretical manner. In his essay on "civil obedience," he explicitly states
his refusal to follow and even obey any form of government. However, h...
