Post by melissas2 on May 18, 2008 23:59:19 GMT -5
Transcendentalism has many aspects but it is, in essence, a desire to find meaning in one’s existence and then with that deeper knowledge, have the ability to live with purpose. Learning the significance of one’s life, according to Emerson and Thoreau, comes from achieving an original relationship with the “self”, Nature, and God. Emerson believed that the people of his time were prevented from achieving a deeper understanding by the pollution of society. In his essay “Self Reliance” Emerson claims that society makes you lose the “integrity of your own mind” because it forces the individual to conform to external standards and ignore the internal needs of the self (21). Society, with its traditions and habits, stops the individual from forming original experiences and making decisions based on first hand knowledge. Emerson felt that within all humans there is an “oversoul” that is part of a “Universal Soul” which encompasses humanity, Nature, and God. Our individual oversoul connects us with the Universe, and we must tap into it in order to live complete, fulfilling lives. This is done by entering Nature in solitude, and learning from Nature. Thoreau did this; he entered the woods in order “to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life…to learn what it had to teach” (172). He developed an intimate relationship with Nature, and thus learned of his place within the surrounding world. He was able to discern his true desires and live purposefully according to his self’s intentions.
“Twilight in the Wilderness” by Frederic Edwin Church is a depiction of a sunset that is so beautiful it is intimidating. The painting is immediately striking, with a broad sweeping image of a sky in twilight: vibrant orange and red clouds spread out against a deep, darkening blue. The breathtaking image stirs deep emotions within the viewer because although beautiful, it is frighteningly so, and the overwhelming sight is hard to take in. It seems like Church experienced this sunset and tried to be a “transparent eyeball.” He wished to absorb the view into himself, but it was too powerful, so he captured it in a painting. Church painted his emotions upon seeing the sunset, rather than just a picture, in order to convey to others the true affect of his experience. The sight is so awe-inspiring, it leaves the viewer in wonder, feeling that there is something greater than the individual. And although it is a humbling feeling, the viewer is comforted that he is a small part of some grander scheme. This is a very Transcendental concept, because the painting forces the viewer to transcend his own limitations as one distinct person, and almost diffuse into his surroundings. By doing this, the viewer is learning about how he fits into the Universe, and thus he gains an understanding of his existence. The scene relates to Thoreau’s discovery when he looked under the surface of an ice covered pond and found life. He realized that “Heaven is under out feet as well as over our heads” (314). The painting, similarly, reveals that Heaven is all around us, in our everyday life. Additionally, the vague title suggests that beauty can be found in all Nature, and should be discovered in every wilderness, not just one particular mountain. A beautiful sun set and the trees and river of a wilderness all exist on earth and should be enjoyed in the present. In this way, Church learns from Nature and by appreciating its beauty, is able to find meaning in his existence.
“Twilight in the Wilderness” by Frederic Edwin Church is a depiction of a sunset that is so beautiful it is intimidating. The painting is immediately striking, with a broad sweeping image of a sky in twilight: vibrant orange and red clouds spread out against a deep, darkening blue. The breathtaking image stirs deep emotions within the viewer because although beautiful, it is frighteningly so, and the overwhelming sight is hard to take in. It seems like Church experienced this sunset and tried to be a “transparent eyeball.” He wished to absorb the view into himself, but it was too powerful, so he captured it in a painting. Church painted his emotions upon seeing the sunset, rather than just a picture, in order to convey to others the true affect of his experience. The sight is so awe-inspiring, it leaves the viewer in wonder, feeling that there is something greater than the individual. And although it is a humbling feeling, the viewer is comforted that he is a small part of some grander scheme. This is a very Transcendental concept, because the painting forces the viewer to transcend his own limitations as one distinct person, and almost diffuse into his surroundings. By doing this, the viewer is learning about how he fits into the Universe, and thus he gains an understanding of his existence. The scene relates to Thoreau’s discovery when he looked under the surface of an ice covered pond and found life. He realized that “Heaven is under out feet as well as over our heads” (314). The painting, similarly, reveals that Heaven is all around us, in our everyday life. Additionally, the vague title suggests that beauty can be found in all Nature, and should be discovered in every wilderness, not just one particular mountain. A beautiful sun set and the trees and river of a wilderness all exist on earth and should be enjoyed in the present. In this way, Church learns from Nature and by appreciating its beauty, is able to find meaning in his existence.