The essential transcendentalists / edited and introduced by Richard G. Geldard.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Geldard, Richard G., 1935-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Transcendentalism (New England).

Transcendentalists (New England).

Physical Description:

265 pages ; 21 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : J.P. Tarcher/Penguin, [2005]

Summary:

Interest abounds in the work of the Transcendentalists, such as Emerson, Thoreau, and Bronson Alcott. But few appreciate the truly mystical and contemplative qualities of the Transcendentalists, and the spiritual movements and figures they have inspired. As Richard G. Geldard-one of today's leading scholars of Emerson-illustrates in The Essential Transcendentalists, Transcendentalism offers the individual seeker a coherent and practical means to guide inner development. Through revealing commentary, historical overview, and substantial selections from classic works, The Essential Transcendentalists provides a distinctive and heretofore neglected examination of the spiritual breadth and depth of Transcendentalism.

Contents:

Introduction to the Primary Texts 3

Sampson Reed 29

Observations on the Growth of the Mind 30

James Marsh 33

Preface to Aids to Reflection 34

Amos Bronson Alcott, Early Journals 38

"Orphic Sayings" 41

Preface to Conversations with Children 45

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature, Introduction 50

Nature, Chapter 1 52

II Individual Voices

Introduction to Individual Voices 59

Ralph Waldo Emerson 103

"The Transcendentalist" 104

"Circles" 125

Frederic Henry Hedge 140

"Questionings" 141

Amos Bronson Alcott, Journal Entries, 1837 143

Margaret Fuller, "Flaxman" 156

"The Sacred Marriage" 157

"The Great Lawsuit" 158

Henry David Thoreau, "Where I Lived, and What I Lived For," from Walden 165

"Civil Disobedience" 198

III The Transcendental Heritage

Introduction to the Transcendental Heritage 231

Movements and Institutions 234

Solitary Voices 237

Walt Whitman 238

Emily Dickinson 241

Wallace Stevens 244

The Nature Writers 251

Loren Eiseley 251

Annie Dillard 254.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 259-260) and index.

ISBN:

158542434X

OCLC:

59224037