Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82) Life history & famous works
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82)
Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended Boston Latin School and Harvard College before pursuing a career as a Unitarian minister. In 1829, he married Ellen Tucker, who was the great love of his life. However, her death a year and a half later had a profound impact on him and led to a loss of religious faith.
Emerson’s ideas were characterized by a personal and conversational style that captured the optimistic mood of America. He believed that Americans should be independent thinkers and not look to Europe for models. He advocated for the self-culture movement, asserting that individuals have access to eternal truths through their connection with nature. He believed that truth could be grasped intuitively rather than through rational means. He emphasized the concept of the Oversoul, seeing himself as part and parcel of God. He encouraged individuals to speak their own minds and rely on their own experiences rather than relying solely on books.
One of Emerson’s significant works is “Nature” (1836), a long prose essay divided into an introduction and eight chapters. In this work, he expressed his belief in the primacy of spirit and human understanding over nature. He lamented the tendency to rely on past knowledge and traditions rather than experiencing God and nature directly in the present. Emerson saw nature as both an expression of the divine and a means of understanding it. He argued that solitude in nature was necessary to fully comprehend its offerings. He also discussed the four uses of nature: commodity, beauty, language, and discipline. Through these ideas, Emerson developed the concept of the Oversoul or Universal Mind.
Emerson’s poem “The Transparent Eyeball“ introduced the metaphor of the self being a part and parcel of God, acting as a lens to draw out the form of Transcendentalism in nature.
In addition to “Nature,” Emerson wrote various other poems and essays that explored his philosophy of individualism and the pursuit of self-reliance. Some notable works include “The American Scholar” (1837), “Self-Reliance” (1841), and “The Over Soul” (1841). His collection of lectures titled “Representative Men” (1850) discussed the role of great men in society, while “The Conduct of Life” (1860) explored the question of how one should live.
Emerson’s ideas had a significant impact on writers and thinkers of his time and continue to influence philosophical and literary discourse.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) believed in the profound connection between nature and spirituality.
Emerson identified four “uses” or aspects of nature:
– Commodity: Nature provides material resources that fulfill human needs.
– Beauty: Nature possesses aesthetic qualities that inspire and uplift the human spirit.
– Language: Nature is symbolic and conveys transcendental meanings that can be understood by those in tune with its messages.
– Discipline: Nature serves as an educator, teaching both reason and understanding. From this, Emerson developed the concept of the “Oversoul” or “Universal Mind.“
In his essay “Nature,” Emerson introduced the metaphor of the “Transparent Eyeball,” representing the idea that the self is a part of God and can perceive the essence of Transcendentalism in nature.
Influenced by Hindu philosophy, Emerson wrote “Brahma” in 1856, contemplating the subtle ways of existence and the interconnectedness of life and death.
Emerson’s other notable poems include “Concord Hymn,” which he recited at the completion of the monument commemorating the Battle of Concord, “The Rhodora,” expressing the beauty of the flower while incorporating deep philosophical thoughts on nature, “Uriel,” discussing the Archangel Uriel and espousing Emerson’s philosophies, and “Snow Storm.”
In his essay “The American Scholar,” delivered as a lecture to the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Emerson criticized the soul-destroying effects of a mechanized manufacturing culture. He emphasized the importance of intellectual life rooted in individual thinkers who learn from nature, history, and life as action. Emerson advocated for self-reliant individualism, rejecting conformity and promoting creative human potential.
In “Self-Reliance,” considered Emerson’s definitive statement on individualism, he encouraged individuals to trust themselves and follow their own instincts and ideas, despite public disapproval.
“The Over Soul” explored the relationship between the soul and ego, embracing the spirit of individualism and Vedantism.
In “Politics,” Emerson discussed democracy and believed in the power of moral force and creativity to elevate civilization.
“Representative Men” compiled Emerson’s lectures, examining the role of great individuals such as Plato, Swedenborg, Montaigne, Shakespeare, Napoleon, and Goethe in society.
“The Conduct of Life,” a collection of essays, raised the central question of how one should live. It influenced several writers, including Friedrich Nietzsche.
Emerson’s philosophy emphasized the importance of individualism, self-reliance, and a deep connection with nature and the spiritual realm. His works continue to inspire readers and contribute to American literature and philosophical thought.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was a nonconformist and idealist known for his unorthodox manners and irreverent views.