Boston transcendentalism school h. D. Thoreau and r. W. Emerson

Conclusion

The Transcendentalist movement has become a significant part of American culture and history. Although Transcendentalists came up with revolutionary new ideas and beliefs which, at their time, were often ridiculed or misunderstood, they have endured to this day and have had significant impact not only in America but around the globe. Transcendentalist ethics and philosophy have inspired significant reformers and movements which built off of their ideas. Moreover, Transcendental philosophy seems to be timeless insofar as we are able to apply its principles in our everyday lives. Even now, we can find a thriving minimalistic lifestyle which no doubt shares the important Transcendentalist principle of materialistic rejection.
Henry David Thoreau was a unique individual. He sacrificed comforts of modern life in order to live differently than the rest of society. By doing so, he lived the meaningful life which he had strived for. His book Walden symbolizes not only a strong relationship with nature but also the essence of spiritual life and even mankind natural ability to distinguish what is moral from what is immoral.
Walden is a book which forces readers to think about the true meaning of life. It challenges our values to this day, forcing us to ask ourselves whether material possessions and modern amenities can truly make us happy.

4. Bibliography

Emerson, Ralph W. Self-Reliance and other Essays. New York: Dover Publications, 2016. Gura, Philip F. American Transcendentalism a History. New York: Hill and Wang, 2007. Millburn, Joshua F., Ryan Nycodemus. Minimalism Essential Essays. Mins Publishing, 2011.
Shi, David E., Holly A. Mayer. For the Record: a Documentary History of America. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2004.
Thoreau, Henry D. Walden. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Walls, Laura D. Henry David Thoreau a Life. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press,2017. Wayne, Tiffany K. Encyclopedia Of Transcendentalism. New York: Facts on File, 2006.