Hello readers,
This blog is crafted as part of thinking activity on American literary movement known as "Transcendentalism".
Here are Some Points to Ponder,
1) Transcendentalists talk about the Individual’s relation with Nature. What is Nature for you? Share your views.
What is Transcendentalism?
Simple meaning of transcendentalism is to go above or beyond from normal human experience.
According to Oxford Dictionary, 'Transcendentalism is a idealistic and philosophical movement which arose in New England, around 1836, this movement was the reaction against rationalism'.
Transcendentalism movement was influenced by Romanticism of Europe, Platonism and Kantian philosophy.
According to transcendentalists, an individual is the central figure of this transcendental movement. All the transcendentalists have made emphasis on individual's relationship with transcendental things such as benefit of all natural elements.
According to Margaret Fuller, 'Self interest may triumph where principles have failed'. Thoreau and Emerson emphasized on the transcendentalist idea of human harmony with
nature. They believed that nature can help us improve spiritually and help us connect to the rest of the world.
According to Transcendental ideas, everything is connected, everything is one.
Nature holds a spiritual significance for me. I frequently visit places that bring me a sense of peace. While I may not be deeply religious, I find solace in visiting temples because they provide me with a profound sense of tranquility. There is a temple near my house, surrounded by a beautiful landscape featuring a small pond and numerous geese. I make it a point to visit this place at least once a week to observe and connect with the surroundings. This location provides me with spiritual strength, motivation, and a deep sense of peace. In my view, nature encompasses spiritual dimensions that are personally meaningful to me.
Moreover, Taking morning walks is like a spiritual practice for me. The quiet and fresh air make me feel connected to nature. It's a time to clear my mind, find peace, and start the day with a positive vibe. The simple act of walking becomes a peaceful and grounding experience, bringing a sense of spirituality to my mornings.
2) Transcendentalism is an American philosophy that influenced American literature at length. Can you find any India/regional literature or philosophy that came up with such similar thoughts?
There are philosophical and literary movements that share similarities or have been influenced by similar ideas.
Bengal Renaissance
The Bengal Renaissance was a period in the 19th and early 20th centuries when people in Bengal, India, worked to bring positive changes in art, culture, science, and society. This happened during British rule. The movement aimed to challenge old traditions controlled by upper-class Brahmins, focusing on issues like women's rights, dowry, caste system, and outdated religious practices. Bengal Renaissance sought to improve society by questioning these practices, and it was influenced by interactions between open-minded British officials, missionaries, and the educated Hindu community.
The Bengal Renaissance and British influence led to significant changes in Bengal's educational system in the 19th century. Educational reforms included the creation of institutions like the Asiatic Society (1784), Fort William College (1800), Serampore College (1817), Hindu College (1817), Sanskrit College (1824), and more. These institutions primarily aimed to educate the elite class Bengalis based on European ideas of education, learning, and values.
Main figures of Bengal Renaissance
1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
3. Swami Vivekananda
4. Rabindranath Tagore
5. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
6. Henry Louis Vivian Derozio
The Bengal Renaissance influenced the British to implement changes in the legal framework of the country. These modifications became the foundation of the legal structure in India. The province of Bengal stood out as a region of stability and peace in the Indian Subcontinent during this period. Additionally, it emerged as a major hub for trade and commerce, attracting Europeans. The flourishing trade and commerce in the province led to conflicts between the English and the French, the two dominant European powers.
As the English ascended as the predominant power in the subcontinent, they introduced the concept of Western education in Bengal. This initiative gave rise to a new intellectual class in the province, fostering social changes. The transformation in society brought about significant shifts.
During that era, Indians actively engaged in the legal profession, serving as vakils, indigenous pleaders, or lawyers educated abroad. The majority of legal offices were managed by Indians, and there were no exclusive reservations for British officials in any positions.
German Romanticism
German Romanticism emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a movement fundamentally rebelling against the advancements of material progress and industrialization. The initial movement within the Romantic current, German Romanticism, primarily stood as a rebellion against a rational world driven by material progress and industrialization. Key figures like Novalis and Goethe championed the unknown, the mysterious, and the supernatural. Prioritizing artistic transgression and emotion over reason and beauty, they significantly influenced contemporary art perspectives. German Romanticism, inherently rebellious, is marked by contradictions and paradoxes, reflecting its tumultuous nature.
What is German Romanticism?
German Romanticism emerged as a prevailing intellectual trend in the German-speaking regions in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It marked the inception of the broader Romantic movements that unfolded across Europe during the 19th century. Consequently, German Romanticism laid the foundation for the key characteristics that would define Romanticism as a whole.
Originating as a rebellion against a society undergoing industrialization, German Romanticism was fueled by the belief that modernity was elevating reason over emotion, leading to a devaluation of traditional values and rural ways of life. During the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a surge in capitalist values emphasizing profit and the exploitation of labor, which the Romanticists viewed with disillusionment and disappointment.
Within Romantic ideology, a significant emphasis is placed on the individual and their emotions. The German Romantic movement advocates for a deep connection with nature, a rediscovery of rural settings, and a quest for a bygone, idealized past. Simultaneously, it rejects economic commerce, industrial progress, and urban life, where individuals are reduced to mere statistics. This positions Romanticism as a form of rebellion against the prevailing societal values of its era.
Connection with Nature
Disillusioned with contemporary times and devoid of optimism for an improved future, German Romanticists discovered solace in seeking humanity in the past. The past they yearned for was not necessarily a historical reality but rather an idealized version when humanity existed in harmony and connection with nature. As this idyllic time might have never truly existed, German Romanticists often yearned for something indefinable. Therefore, a profound longing for an unknown or unattainable essence stands out as a crucial characteristic of German Romanticism.
Nature symbolized calm and tranquility, representing a time when people were not restricted by the pressures of capitalism and its rules. Being in nature allowed one to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, find solitude, and be in harmony with oneself.
The Great Lawsuit: Man vs Man and Woman vs Woman
Margaret Fuller was an American critic, writer and women's right activist, who influenced many of her contemporaries. She was major figure in 19th century American feminism, and the essay The Great Lawsuit which published in July, 1943 made emphasis on the role of women within the society. This work by Fuller stood as epitome in American feminism. Later, this essay was extended in book named 'Women in the Nineteenth Century'. This essay was first published in "The Dial", a philosophical journal launched by transcendentalist. Fuller was also an editor of this journal during 1840 to 1842.
This essay stands for women's right in within the society. This essay contributes not only to women but men also, there are some arguments for men. Fuller emphasized on women's education, ' we must have units before we can have unions'.
At the core of Fuller's thoughts was the refusal to accept society's limited definitions of femininity and masculinity. She delved into the idea of a transcendent blending of male and female characteristics within each person. Fuller argued that individuals, regardless of gender, harbored a range of qualities and abilities. According to her, genuine fulfillment could only be attained by welcoming and harmonizing these varied aspects.
"There is no wholly masculine man, no purely feminine woman"
Core of the Essay
The Great Lawsuit represent humanity's journey through time, with various outcome and struggles. The notion of a continuous and divine revelation, the pursuit of perfection and varying perspective to attain it through life experience, intellect or quite obedience are the central aim of the essay.
In the end, Fuller said it's important for women to be themselves, follow their passions, and be active members of society. She believed that both men and women have valuable qualities, and true happiness comes from embracing and combining these qualities. Fuller's ideas paved the way for future thinking about women's rights and actions to support them.
More about essay,
References
Chakraborty, Aishik, and Rahul Purkayastha. “(PDF) BENGAL RENAISSANCE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE COMMON LAW SYSTEM.” ResearchGate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343932883_BENGAL_RENAISSANCE_AND_ITS_IMPACT_ON_THE_COMMON_LAW_SYSTEM. Accessed 23 January 2024.
Silva, Eva. “German Romanticism: A Revolt Against Capitalism and Progress.” TheCollector, 19 May 2022, https://www.thecollector.com/german-romanticism-revolt-against-capitalism/. Accessed 23 January 2024.
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