The transcendental movement began in America after the Revolutionary war. Many believe it is a response to the newly found independence and freedom of the American people. They now had the opportunity and responsibility to reclaim their identities and begin forming their American culture. Transcendentalism is the idea that thoughts, reasoning, and beliefs greatly outweighed material items. Perhaps this was due to the fact that many Americans were struggling early on. Many had endured a great deal of hardship and families had to abandon almost everything to earn their independence. These people now valued their lives, opinions, values, and beliefs much more than simple material possession. Ralph Waldo Emerson was at the forefront of this movement. He inspired other great writers such as Henry David Thoreau, Maragaret Fuller, and Walt Whitman. Here we will discuss Whitman’s, Leaves of Grass and its connection to transcendentalism.
Leaves of Grass is a collection of poetry by Whitman in which there are several purposes. First, Whitman is on exploration of himself. He is seeking his own identity and purpose. He is attempting to define himself. He also wanted to celebrate the idea of “self” and individualism, ideas unique to the transcendental movement. "I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you," (Whitman, 99). He also sought to discuss the importance of the stages of life; birth, death, and resurrection. Whitman’s additional major purpose with Leaves of Grass was to bring to attention the importance and strength of democracy.
Works Cited
Whitman, Walt. Leaves of Grass. Dover Publications, Cambridge. 1875
