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Barbara L. Packer's long essay ""The Transcendentalists"" is widely
acknowledged by scholars of nineteenth-century American literary
history as the best-written, most comprehensive treatment to date
of Transcendentalism. Previously existing only as part of a volume
in the magisterial ""Cambridge History of American Literature"", it
will now be available for the first time in a stand-alone edition.
Packer presents Transcendentalism as a living movement, evolving
out of such origins as New England Unitarianism and finding early
inspiration in European Romanticism. Transcendentalism changed
religious beliefs, philosophical ideas, literary styles, and
political allegiances. In addition, it was a social movement whose
members collaborated on projects and formed close personal ties.
Transcendentalism contains vigorous thought and expression
throughout, says Packer; only a study of the entire movement can
explain its continuing sway over American thought. Through fresh
readings of both the essential Transcendentalist texts and the best
current scholarship, Packer conveys the movement's genuine
expectations that its radical spirituality not only would lead to
personal perfection but also would inspire solutions to such
national problems as slavery and disfranchisement. Here is
Transcendentalism in whole, with Emerson, Thoreau, and Fuller
restored to their place alongside such contemporaries as Bronson
Alcott, George Ripley, Jones Very, Theodore Parker, James Freeman
Clarke, Orestes Brownson, and Frederick Henry Hedge.
The essays in this book, first published in 1860, were developed
from a series of lectures on "The Conduct of Life" delivered by
Emerson during the early 1850s. Some of the original lectures were
dropped and the rest were considerably revised, with new topics
introduced. The published essays, on "Fate," "Power," "Wealth,"
"Culture," "Behavior," "Worship," "Considerations by the Way,"
"Beauty," and "Illusions," show Emerson's interest in many
practical aspects of human life, and reflect his increasing
involvement in politics--chiefly in the antislavery
movement--during the decade before the Civil War. This edition is
based on Emerson's holograph manuscripts and published sources. The
text incorporates Emerson's later corrections and revisions, and
shows us what he actually wrote (or, perhaps in some cases,
intended to write). The historical introduction traces the book's
development and its relation to Emerson's own personal growth and
political awareness. Joseph Slater's explanatory notes help the
modern reader to understand many of Emerson's references and
allusions that may not be readily apparent. Historical Introduction
by Barbara L. Packer Notes by Joseph Slater Text Established and
Textual Introduction and Apparatus by Douglas Emory Wilson
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