Emig Emerson/Thoreau Blog

          In Emerson’s “Nature,” we see him lay out the foundation of transcendentalist philosophy. From our class notes, we understand that transcendentalists operate as a mere part of the Oversoul in nature. With religion as a guiding principle, Emerson sees the world as a holistically moral world striving towards a perfectibility that may never be reached. In order to make this perfectibility accomplishable, one must free their minds of worldly concerns and focus on their individuality as a part of the Oversoul that can be found in nature. In “Nature,” Emerson points to the perfectibility of man several times. In Chapter 1, Emerson states, “Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a very superficial seeing. The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child. 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.” In this quote, Emerson parallels the innocence of a child to images seen in nature, such as the sun. This quote, for me, gets at the heart of what transcendentalism is all about. With the sun as the center of nature, it provides the basis of everything we know and enjoy in this life. However, man is tainted by worldly, material concerns, and has little regard for the inherent beauty found in strong images of nature. Man only sees nature as a mere part of life, or as a secondary element with no lasting value to the individual and the individual’s soul. Nature is taken for granted; it has become forgotten and seems to just be, or to exist. However, nature is everything. Emerson demonstrates that man can strike a balance in this life to return to innocence, to beauty, and to morality. If we look at nature as if we are viewing it for the first time, we can truly appreciate its value and truly deep connection to us. Nature is ever changing, yet Emerson wants us to understand nature for what it truly is—a window to the soul, to innocence/purity, and to the very spirit of Man. Nature is innocent, but humanity struggles to remain innocent. However, Emerson believes in an ideal view of humanity; it is what gets Americans through some of the most difficult times in its history on both a national and personal level.

            In Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience,” we come to understand his ideal view of humanity. However, it is interesting to see what brings his thoughts together because he uses criticism and even negativity to explain what ultimately can be changed about American society for the better.  Though “Civil Disobedience” serves as a critique of American government, Thoreau does give some praise for America not being the worst democracy in the world and even lists some positive, admirable notions of U.S. government. At the end of “Civil Disobedience,” Thoreau questions the democratic principles of the United States that are to bore civil rights: “Is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing the rights of man? There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly.” In this quote, Thoreau expresses the need for government to trust that man can be perfected, that man can change and evolve into something better—something ideal. This same principle can be applied to government. Thoreau goes on to explain an ideal state, “A State which bore this kind of fruit, and suffered it to drop off as fast as it ripened, would prepare the way for a still more perfect and glorious State, which I have also imagined, but not yet anywhere seen.” As nature changes, so does society. Though the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will forever be living documents, these, too, must adapt themselves to the changing world. Essentially, Thoreau wants the Constitution amended to include civil rights. Or else, the United States would ultimately perish before our very eyes. Thoreau can imagine his ideal state and ideal humanity, but humanity must be given the tools to become ideal, and as humans move towards idealism, so will the society, or the state, they live in.