HIST 1100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Henry David Thoreau, Ann Lee, John Humphrey Noyes
16 May 2016
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Second wave of reformers emerged during 1830s and 1840s, more intent on liberating people from archaic customs and encouraging them to devise new lifestlyes: individualism. Alexis de tocqueville coined the word individualism to describe the social world of native-born white americans: ralph waldo emerson and transcendentalism. Transcendentalism an intellectual movement rooted in the religious soil of. Unitarians believed in single god, not holy trinity. Emerson celebrated individuals who rejected traditional social restraints but retained both self-discipline and civic responsibility: emerson"s literary influence. Encouraged writers to celebrate democracy and individual freedom: henry david thoreau and margaret fuller. Henry david thoreau heeded emerson"s call by turning to the american environment for inspiration. Walden has become an inspiration to those who reject the dictates of society: walt whitman. Influential for democratic party: darker visions: nathaniel hawthorne and herman melville. Hawthorne the scarlet letter (1850) explored excessive individualism. Melville explored limits of individualism: brook farm. Brook farm- 1841- outside boston economic failure.
