1. (Due Tuesday, March 29) Transcendental Group HW–Create something (art, poetry, music, etc.) inspired by the themes and major insights from the Transcendental poetry you read in class Wednesday. Include a brief artist’s statement to verbalize the intended meaning behind your work; this does not have to be longer than half a page. For example: If you choose to create a piece of artwork, explain the meaning behind color choices, subject matter, etc. Everything you create should be intentional and symbolic of the themes of Transcendental thought.
2. (Due Tuesday, March 29) Please bring Letters to a Young Poet to class this week. And print, read, and annotate the following poems by Rilke:
Love Song
Duino Elegies (print the first three elegies but read only The First Elegy for Monday)
3. (Due Thursday, March 31) Transcendental Poem–As for all poetry, be aware of how you are using words to create image/meaning. Thematically, you should weave characteristics of Transcendental poetry into your poem. One final (and very important) requirement: In the spirit of The Rhodora your poem should be inspired by and focused on a specific aspect of the natural world.
Characteristics of Transcendentalism
1. Believed in living closer to nature (Thoreau)
2. Believed in the dignity of manual labor (Thoreau)
3. Saw the need for intellectual companions and interests
4. Emphasized the need for spiritual living
5. Considered man’s relationship to God a personal matter established directly by the individual himself
6. Posited the essential divinity of man (versus Calvinism’s tenet of innate depravity)
7. Urged one great brotherhood (the Oversoul, the unity of all things)
8. Proposed self-trust and self-reliance
9. Believed in democracy and individualism
10. Encouraged reform (to awaken and regenerate the spirit)
11. Insisted on a complete break with tradition and custom
12. Know through intuition
