Assignment Paper 108

This blog is part of assignment of Paper 108 : The American Literature .

Table of Contents :

1. Introduction

2. Overview of Transcendentalism

3. Key Thinkers: Emerson and Thoreau

4. Influence on 20th-Century Literature

5. Core Ideas of Transcendentalism

   • Self-Reliance and Individualism

   • Nature as a Source of Truth

   • Rejection of Materialism

   • Civil Disobedience and Moral Resistance

6. Transcendentalist Echoes in 20th-Century Literature

   • Modernist Writers and the Search for Meaning

     • Ernest Hemingway: Self-Reliance in For Whom the Bell Tolls

     • F. Scott Fitzgerald: The American Dream and Self-Creation in The Great Gatsby

   • Existentialist Influence: The Individual vs. Society

     • Albert Camus’ The Stranger: Radical Individualism

     • Richard Wright’s Native Son: Self-Definition and Oppression

7. Nature and Spiritual Reflection in American Literature

   • John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath: Resilience and Nature

   • Jack Kerouac’s On the Road: Nonconformity and Self-Discovery

   • Nature as a Transcendental Bridge to Truth

8. The Over-Soul and Universal Connection

   • Emerson’s Concept of the Over-Soul

   • Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and Collective Struggle

9. Comparison Between Transcendentalist and 20th-Century Literary Themes

   • Similarities: Individualism, Freedom, and Nature

   • Differences: Optimism vs. Existential Ambiguity

10. Conclusion

    • Lasting Influence of Transcendentalist Thought

    • Relevance in Contemporary Literature

11. Reference Sources 

■ Personal Information:

● Name : Nishtha Desai

● Batch: M.A Semester 2 ( 2024-26)

● Enrollment number:5108240024

● E- mail Address: nishthadesai355@gmail.com

Roll number: 19

■ Assignment Details:

Topic: Paper& Subject code: Paper 108: The Influence of Transcendentalist Thought on 20th-Century Literature

Submitted to: SMT. Department of English, Bhavnagar

Date of Submission: 17 April , 2025

Abstract:

Transcendentalism, a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early 19th century, profoundly influenced later literary traditions. Thinkers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau championed self-reliance, nature’s spiritual power, and the primacy of individual conscience over societal norms. These themes persisted into 20th-century literature, influencing writers across different literary movements, including Modernism, Existentialism, and Naturalism. This paper explores the impact of Transcendentalist ideas on 20th-century literature, highlighting how key principles of the movement—self-reliance, a deep connection with nature, and skepticism toward institutions—shaped the works of writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, and Jack Kerouac. It also examines the Over-Soul concept and how Transcendentalist ideas on nature and spiritual awakening influenced 20th-century narratives.

Keywords:

Transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Self-Reliance, Nature, Over-Soul, Individualism, 20th-Century Literature, Modernism, Existentialism, American Literature.

The Influence of Transcendentalist Thought on 20th-Century Literature

Introduction

Transcendentalism, a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early 19th century, profoundly influenced later literary traditions. Thinkers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau championed self-reliance, nature’s spiritual power, and the primacy of individual conscience over societal norms. These themes persisted into 20th-century literature, influencing writers across different literary movements, including Modernism, Existentialism, and Naturalism. This paper explores the impact of Transcendentalist ideas on 20th-century literature, highlighting how key principles of the movement—self-reliance, a deep connection with nature, and skepticism toward institutions—shaped the works of writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, and Jack Kerouac.

Core Ideas of Transcendentalism

Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson laid the foundation for Transcendentalist thought. Their works emphasized several key principles:

Self-Reliance and Individualism:

Emerson’s essay Self-Reliance advocates for personal integrity, nonconformity, and trust in one’s inner voice. According to Emerson, true self-reliance means rejecting societal expectations and seeking truth through one’s intuition and experience. This principle influenced many later writers who depicted protagonists struggling against societal pressures to forge their own paths. In Walden, Thoreau takes this idea further by demonstrating how self-sufficiency in nature allows individuals to cultivate their inner lives without interference from external forces.

Nature as a Source of Truth: 

Thoreau’s Walden illustrates how retreating into nature fosters self-discovery and enlightenment. For Transcendentalists, nature was not just a physical space but a spiritual entity, embodying universal truths and divine presence. Emerson’s essay Nature describes the concept of the “transparent eyeball,” in which an individual dissolves into nature and perceives its deeper truths. This idea influenced later literary works that use nature as a transformative force for characters undergoing personal growth.

Rejection of Materialism: 

Transcendentalists believed that true fulfillment comes from within, rather than from material wealth. Thoreau’s decision to live simply at Walden Pond was a direct critique of the increasing materialism of his time. He argued that modern society’s obsession with wealth and possessions distracts from more profound spiritual and intellectual pursuits. This critique of materialism can be seen in 20th-century literature, particularly in works that challenge the emptiness of consumer culture.

Civil Disobedience and Moral Resistance: 

Thoreau’s essay Civil Disobedience asserts that individuals must resist unjust governmental policies through peaceful noncompliance. He believed that personal morality should take precedence over societal laws when those laws conflict with ethical principles. This idea later inspired literary and political movements advocating for individual rights and moral resistance against oppression, influencing figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Transcendentalist Echoes in 20th-Century Literature:

The legacy of Transcendentalist thought persisted long after the movement itself declined in the late 19th century. In the 20th century, literature saw significant ideological shifts due to world wars, existential crises, industrialization, and rapid modernization. However, many core principles of Transcendentalism—such as self-reliance, individual authenticity, skepticism toward institutions, and the reverence for nature—remained relevant.

Although Transcendentalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were fundamentally optimistic about human potential, 20th-century literature often presented these ideals within a more complex and sometimes tragic context. This section examines how Transcendentalist ideas were reflected in Modernist, Existentialist, and Naturalist literature, highlighting the works of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Albert Camus, Richard Wright, John Steinbeck, and Jack Kerouac.

1. Modernist Writers and the Search for Meaning

Modernism and the Transcendentalist Spirit

Modernism emerged in the aftermath of World War I as writers sought to redefine truth, meaning, and the role of the individual in a fractured world. Modernist literature often wrestled with alienation, the breakdown of traditional structures, and the search for authenticity—themes that, despite their darker undertones, align with Transcendentalist values.

While Emerson and Thoreau believed in an intrinsic spiritual order, many Modernist writers approached self-reliance and the individual’s quest for meaning from a more skeptical, sometimes existential, perspective. Nonetheless, Modernist heroes often embody a Transcendentalist sense of self-definition and resistance to external conformity.

Ernest Hemingway: The Code Hero as a Transcendentalist Figure

Hemingway’s protagonists, often described as “code heroes,” exhibit qualities of self-reliance, individualism, and resilience in the face of existential challenges—ideas that align with Transcendentalist philosophy.

For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940): Self-Reliance and Individual Duty

In For Whom the Bell Tolls, Robert Jordan, an American fighting in the Spanish Civil War, reflects Thoreau’s belief in personal responsibility and moral clarity.

• Transcendentalist Self-Reliance: Robert Jordan does not adhere to blind patriotism; instead, he follows his own moral compass, much like Thoreau in Civil Disobedience. He understands that his actions should stem from personal convictions rather than societal expectations.

• Nature as a Place of Reflection: Jordan frequently turns to nature for solace and insight, mirroring Thoreau’s retreat to Walden Pond as a means of spiritual renewal. The mountains serve as both a battlefield and a sacred space where he contemplates life and death.

• Rejection of Materialism: Hemingway’s characters often live by a strict, minimalist code, emphasizing experience over material wealth. Jordan’s ultimate sacrifice aligns with Thoreau’s idea that a life of principle is more valuable than one driven by material success.

F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Paradox of the American Dream

While The Great Gatsby (1925) is often read as a critique of the American Dream, its protagonist, Jay Gatsby, paradoxically embodies many Transcendentalist ideals—most notably, the belief in self-creation.

• Gatsby as an Emersonian Figure: Emerson’s Self-Reliance advocates for self-invention and nonconformity. Gatsby, originally James Gatz, reinvents himself entirely, embodying the belief that identity is fluid and self-directed.

• Critique of Materialism: Thoreau argued that society’s obsession with wealth is spiritually hollow. Gatsby’s ultimate tragedy lies in his belief that material success can fulfill an emotional and existential void. His fate illustrates the tension between Transcendentalist self-reliance and the corrupting forces of capitalism.

• Nature and the Green Light: The green light at Daisy’s dock represents an unattainable ideal, much like the Transcendentalist pursuit of higher truth. Gatsby’s longing mirrors Emerson’s notion that truth always exists just beyond one’s grasp, compelling the individual to continue searching.

• 2. Existentialism and the Transcendentalist Individual

Existentialist literature, which emerged in the mid-20th century, shares fundamental similarities with Transcendentalist philosophy. Both movements prioritize individual agency and question societal norms. However, while Transcendentalists believed in an inherently meaningful universe, Existentialists such as Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre argued that individuals must create their own meaning in an indifferent world.

Albert Camus: Meursault as an Anti-Transcendentalist Hero

Camus’ The Stranger (1942) presents a protagonist, Meursault, who resists societal expectations in a way that echoes Emerson’s call for radical individualism—though with a distinctly existentialist conclusion.

• Radical Nonconformity: Like Thoreau, Meursault refuses to live according to social conventions. His indifference to events such as his mother’s funeral defies traditional morality, much like Emerson’s insistence that true self-reliance means ignoring societal pressures.

• Rejection of Institutional Authority: Just as Thoreau rejected government authority in Civil Disobedience, Meursault passively rejects the legal and religious institutions that seek to control him.

• The Absurd vs. Transcendentalist Optimism: While Transcendentalists believed in the spiritual unity of all things, Camus introduces the Absurd, suggesting that the universe is indifferent to human existence. Meursault ultimately finds peace in accepting this reality, much like Thoreau found peace in nature’s cycles.

Richard Wright: Native Son and the Struggle for Self-Definition

• Bigger Thomas’ Search for Identity: Like a Transcendentalist hero, Bigger Thomas in Native Son (1940) seeks self-definition in a society that seeks to control him.

• Resistance to Oppression: Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience called for resistance against unjust systems. Wright’s protagonist, though acting in desperation, represents the struggle of the oppressed individual against systemic forces.

• 3. Nature and Spiritual Reflection in American Literature

Nature remains central to Transcendentalist thought, acting as both a teacher and a refuge. Many 20th-century American writers continued to use nature as a source of spiritual and existential reflection.

John Steinbeck: Nature and the Over-Soul in The Grapes of Wrath

Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath (1939) echoes Emerson’s belief in a shared human spirit (the Over-Soul).

• Communal Struggle and Transcendentalist Brotherhood: The novel emphasizes the interconnectedness of human beings, aligning with Emerson’s idea that all individuals share a divine essence.

• Nature as a Spiritual Guide: Like Thoreau’s Walden, Steinbeck’s depiction of the Dust Bowl reinforces the power of nature to both challenge and sustain human beings.

Jack Kerouac: The Beat Generation and Transcendentalist Wanderlust

Kerouac’s On the Road (1957) embodies the Transcendentalist spirit of rebellion and self-exploration.

• The Open Road as Walden Pond: Just as Thoreau retreated into the wilderness, Kerouac’s characters seek meaning through movement and escape from societal constraints.

• Spontaneity as Spiritual Discovery: The Beat philosophy of kicks—finding meaning through lived experience—mirrors Emerson’s call to trust one's instincts and live authentically.

Conclusion :

The themes of Transcendentalism continued to resonate throughout 20th-century literature, shaping narratives of self-reliance, spiritual exploration, and resistance to societal norms. Whether in Hemingway’s heroes, Steinbeck’s depiction of human perseverance, or Kerouac’s quest for meaning, Transcendentalist ideals remain deeply embedded in literary discourse. Even today, the movement’s principles influence contemporary literature, proving that the search for individual truth and connection with nature is timeless.

Reference Sources :

Myerson, Joel. "American Transcendentalism: A History and The Transcendentalists [Review]." ResearchGate,https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249907124_American_Transcendentalism_A_History_and_The_Transcendentalists_review..

Robinson, David M. "Henry David Thoreau: Literary Transcendentalism." ResearchGate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267841399_Henry_David_Thoreau_Literary_Transcendentalism..

Selvi, T. "An Analysis of Transcendentalist Principles in Literature." International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Studies, https://www.ijhsss.com/files/44.-T.-Selvi.pdf..

"Transcendentalism: Impact on American Literature." Study.com, https://study.com/academy/lesson/transcendentalism-impact-on-american-literature.html..

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