Question

"I went to the woods to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach." - Henry David Thoreau. In a paragraph, explain the ideals of Transcendentalism evident in this quote.

Answer 1

Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement developed in the USA in the 1820s, which focuses on the kindness of people and nature, as well as on people's independence and ability to depend on oneself. It was born in opposition to the intellectualism and spirituality of the time. Consequently, Thoreau's quote reflects his conscious and intentional decision to move to the forest in order to discover the meaning of life and his own independent self.