Walt Whitman and a Nature Walk

Bellringer: How does Walt Whitman’s statement fit into the transcendental movement?

“I exist as I am, that is enough.”~ Walt Whitman

Recap: We took a closer look at Walt Whitman today to help round out our transcendentalist authors. We began with a mini biography from You Tube, which helped to highlight some of the traits that made him such a well-respected writer. Whitman is more noted for his poetry, so we then examined two parts of his poem "Song of Myself." We picked out the transcendental themes as a class. I want you to become more comfortable going back and analyzing writing. There are many of these themes in Huck Finn, so I want you to be able to look for them when we read it after spring break. 

Below is the analysis we came up with as a class. 

 

Following our analysis we took a walk outside by the pond. This was meant to be technology-free, so you could be more in-tune with your surroundings. You all did SUCH a great job with this! I was worried you wouldn't be able to give up your music or phones, but you ALL did with success! Once outside, you were asked to compose a one-paragraph reflection on how you were feeling while out there, or just an observation of your surroundings. You all did so well, I would love for us to do this again when we read Huck Finn.

EXCELLENT work today! You made me so proud! Have a nice night!

Z

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bellringer: “In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life.” ~ Emerson

Recap: We began our transcendentalism unit with Ralph Waldo Emerson, the pioneer of the movement. His biography is on page 360 in the textbook, and there is also a biography shared with you. The book focuses more on his involvement with the movement, with the shared biography focuses more on Emerson as a person.

We then read "Nature" and "Self-Reliance" in the textbook, focusing on aphorisms. Please refer back to yesterday's notes if you are unsure of what these are.

Nice work today. Have a nice evening!

Z

Transcendentalism

Bellringer: What is transcendentalism?

Recap: We explored the philosophy of transcendentalism today, discussing the overview of the ideals the writers held, and how those ideals changed American writing.

We viewed two Power Points today. The first one was on The Art of the Essay and the Transcendental Movement.

The other Power Point was a lecture from another teacher called Transcendentalism and the New England Renaissance. 

If you missed class today, please be sure to view both lecture. We will be exploring Transcendentalism this week, and the themes and philosophies are highly present within The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. 

Have a nice evening!

Z