Poets

Transcendental Themes 

Use the following chart to track the variety of themes found in Emerson’s Transcendentalism  writing. Feel free to add rows to the chart when necessary. You will be submitting this chart at  the completion of this Unit. 

Title of the  work 

  Example: “Nature”   

Author 

  Themes found in the work  **Include quotations to help you  recall evidence of these  themes.**    Theme: Finding ourselves by losing ourselves in nature.  Support: “Standing on the bare ground, -- my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space, -- all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God.” Explanation: In this passage Emerson explains how letting himself ‘disappear’ in nature helps him to better understand who he really is and how he fits in with the world around him.   Theme:Patriotism   Support: “Spirit, that made those heroes dare; To die, and leave their children free, Bid time and nature gently spare; The shaft we raise to them and thee.” Explanation:  The people of Concord are praising God for his

Ralph Waldo Emerson   

Concord Hymn     

Ralph Waldo Emerson  

protection over the people in the battle. Emerson wanted the reader to understand that we wouldn’t be free without these men.   Self Reliance      Ralph Waldo Emerson    Theme:Trust your own inner voice   Support: “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.” Explanation:  Emerson is saying that no man shall become envious, because that is pure ignorance. He believes that you should believe in yourself and not be afraid to stand out, when it comes to your individual thoughts and ideas. Don’t be afraid to be  misunderstood, because you  can become the next great  person.    Theme:     Support:  Explanation:           

The Rhodora   

Ralph Waldo Emerson