Thursday, October 01, 2009

BLOGGING ABOUT: Transcendentalism in Popular Culture

BLOGGING ABOUT: Transcendentalism in Popular Culture:What examples can you find in comics, music, movies, television shows, etc…?*This assignment is ongoing. Please use the class blog to post examples at least twice throughout the unit. (20 Points)

74 comments:

  1. I was listening to Jack Johnson's "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" today...http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jackjohnson/the3rs.html...with my five year old, Sydney. "If you're going to the market to buy some juice
    You've got to bring your own bags and you learn to reduce your waste
    And if your brother or your sister's got some cool clothes
    You could try them on before you buy some more of those
    Reuse, we've got to learn to reuse." I thought these lyrics echoed what we have learned about Thoreau's philosophy thus far. Mrs. B

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  2. Ken connects Thoureau's poem to Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind":

    Men say they know many things;
    But lo! they have taken wings --
    The arts and sciences,
    And a thousand appliances;
    The wind that blows
    Is all that anybody knows.

    Lyrics:
    Blowin' In The Wind
    How many roads must a man walk down
    Before you call him a man?
    Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
    Before she sleeps in the sand?
    Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
    Before they're forever banned?
    The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
    The answer is blowin' in the wind.

    How many years can a mountain exist
    Before it's washed to the sea?
    Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
    Before they're allowed to be free?
    Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
    Pretending he just doesn't see?
    The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
    The answer is blowin' in the wind.

    How many times must a man look up
    Before he can see the sky?
    Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
    Before he can hear people cry?
    Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
    That too many people have died?
    The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
    The answer is blowin' in the wind.


    http://www.bobdylan.com/#/songs/blowin-wind

    Mrs. B

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  3. I'm a big fan of Stephen Sondheim and one of the songs that he wrote, "If You Can Find Me, I'm Here" reminds me of transcendentalism and Walden especially. The song is from the musical, "Evening Primrose." A quick excerpt is, "What a place to live, What a Place to write!
    I Shall be inspired
    I shall turn out elegies and sonnets,"

    Is it done?
    Are they gone?
    Am i alone?
    I am alone
    It's done
    They're Gone
    I am a genius
    Charles, you are an unadulterated genius
    You are an indisputable extraordinary
    What was that?
    Not a thing
    You're a fool
    You are alone
    And it begins
    Careful Careful
    Mustn't get excited, Mustnt overdo it
    Softly, Tip toe
    You'll get used to it in no time
    Look at it! Beautiful!
    What a place to live, What a Place to write!
    I Shall be inspired
    I shall turn out elegies and sonnets,
    Verses by the tion
    At last i have a home, And nobody will know
    No one in the world
    Nobody will know im here!
    I am free! I am free!
    Goodbye by friends and good riddance
    Pardon while i dissapear
    Come see me soon in my hideaway
    If you can find me im here
    Farewell you blood sucking landlords
    Pouring your threats in my ear
    Good luck forever to you and yours
    If you can find me, Im here
    And I'll stay
    Cozily hiding by day
    During the day I'll resign
    Waiting till you go away
    But at nine
    Masters of all i survey
    Evrything gets to be mine to own
    Mine to use
    Mine to write
    All the poems i choose
    All alone
    Only me and my muse
    and forty pianos and ten thousand shoes
    Farewell Neanderthal neighbours
    Swilling your pretzels and beer
    Fair weather friends will you miss me now?
    If you can find me im here
    Goodbye despoilers of beauty
    Ruin another career
    When you wake up with one genius less
    If you can find me im here
    And i'm free
    Free as a bird in a tree
    Free as the slippers i wear
    Free with a years warantee
    Free as air
    All of these products and me
    All that i ask is a chair that tilts
    Books to read
    Light refreshment before i proceed
    And a blazer or maybe a tweed
    The barest essentials a poet would need
    Live in your barbarous jungle
    screaming for ways to get clear
    When all the screaming has died away
    Come and visit my hide away
    I will be glad to provide a way
    If you can find me
    Im here
    I am here
    I am here
    I am here
    I am here

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tfhjTCpidQ

    Ryan B. Period 5

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  4. After looking for many different ideas of Transcendentalism, I found one comic that made me chuckle a bit. http://www.ic.arizona.edu/~dwo/courses/hume/mempecog.jpg. I also found a link to a movie called "A Serious Man" which also embodies these views.

    Margaret P.5

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  5. I was listening to Corey Smith's "Harmony" just like I always do and I realized today that these lyrics relate to some of Thoreau's ideas.

    Have you ever seen a Georgia sunset?
    Across the cool October sky
    You know it's like a little piece of Heaven
    Hung in between the day and night
    Every shade of red and blue
    Born in the dyin' of the light
    And I'm in the perfect balance
    Eyes bright and opened wide
    And in a moment all my worries fade away
    Oh it all makes sense to me
    That's harmony
    That's harmony

    A Sunday dinner at my grandma's table
    She's been up cookin' since the dawn
    Yeah this family keeps on growing
    Still she makes enough for everyone
    There's my baby boy
    Right now hes the youngest one there is
    Just smilin' in my daddy's lap
    So full of joy and tenderness
    We forget about our troubled yesterdays
    Oh it all makes sense to me
    That's harmony
    That's harmony

    It's hard to understand
    Even harder to explain
    Theres a miracle flowin'
    Like holy water through our veins
    And if you focus you will notice it
    In everything you do
    Oh listen close enough
    And you can hear the harmony in you
    Goin' doo doo do doo do do do

    Daddy bought my first guitar and he said,
    "Boy you were born to play and sing"
    Now I take my pen and capture
    These little bits of everything
    I don't want fame or fortune
    I just want you to listen to my songs
    In a church or this bar room
    I don't care
    They're all the same when the musics on
    Theres no doubt about what I came here to do
    It all makes sense to me
    That's harmony
    That's harmony

    Theres no doubt about what I came here to do
    I'm gonna play and sing for you
    That's harmony
    That's harmony
    That's harmony
    http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/smith-corey/harmony-23688.html

    Maria p.5

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  6. Okay, so I don't mean to sound like a geek, but I was thinking that Star Wars has some transcendentalist ideas in it. I'm not sure if this is a reasonable connection or not. It might be a bit of a stretch. Well, The Force in the Star Wars Saga somewhat creates a spiritual mood. Also, the Jedi Knights are often told to trust their feelings and intuition. The Jedi are not really allowed to own things and be rich. They are more geared toward being humble and selfless. After looking up Transcendentalism, I feel that the "Principles of the Force" demonstrate pretty well the idea of placing the intuivite and spiritual above the material and empirical.

    -Grace H. P:5

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    Replies
    1. GENIUS! thank you so much, helps a lot with my SA

      Delete
  7. I was sitting searching the internet and thinking of some songs that I could relate to transcendentalism.. I saw then this song.. i think it describes the meaning by stating how times changing. In the verses they describe some of Thorea's ways he describes people and how they can't change what time does.

    The Times They Are A-Changin’
    By Bob Dylan
    Come gather 'round people
    Wherever you roam
    And admit that the waters
    Around you have grown
    And accept it that soon
    You'll be drenched to the bone.
    If your time to you Is worth savin'
    Then you better start swimmin'
    Or you'll sink like a stone
    For the times they are a-changin'.

    Come writers and critics
    Who prophesize with your pen
    And keep your eyes wide
    The chance won't come again
    And don't speak too soon
    For the wheel's still in spin
    And there's no tellin' who that it's namin'.
    'Cause the loser now
    Will be later to win
    For the times they are a-changin'.

    Come senators, congressmen
    Please heed the call
    Don't stand in the doorway
    Don't block up the hall
    For he that gets hurt
    Will be he who has stalled
    There’s a battle outside and its ragin'
    It’ll soon shake your windows
    And rattle your walls
    For the times they are a-changin'.

    Come mothers and fathers
    Throughout the land
    And don't criticize
    What you can't understand
    Your sons and your daughters
    Are beyond your command
    Your old road is rapidly agin'.
    Please get out of the new one
    If you can't lend your hand
    For the times they are a-changin'.

    The line it is drawn
    The curse it is cast
    The slow one now
    Will later be fast
    As the present now
    Will later be past
    The order is rapidly fadin'.
    And the first one now
    Will later be last
    For the times they are a-changin'.



    Kayla M. P-5

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  8. This may be a stretch, but I found an Elton John song called 'The Simple Life'. The lyrics are as follows:

    There's a breakdown on the runway
    And the timeless flights are gone
    I'm a year ahead of myself these days
    And I'm locomotive strong
    My city spread like cannon fire
    In a yellow nervous state
    I can't cut the ties that bind me
    To horoscopes and fate
    And I won't break and I won't bend
    But someday soon we'll sail away
    To innocence and the bitter end
    And I won't break and I won't bend
    And with the last breath we ever take
    We're gonna get back to the simple life again
    When we break out of this blindfold
    I'm gonna take you from this place
    Until we're free from this ball and chain
    I'm still hard behind the eight
    My city beats like hammered steel
    On a shallow cruel rock
    If we could walk proud after midnight
    We'd never have to stop

    To me, I think that this song talks about all of the stress from everyday life, or his llife atleast, and how you're basically tied down to it and essentially trapped. He talks about taking a deep breath and going back to the simple life, which reminded me of the way Thoreau got tired of this crazy, nonstop life and went to the woods for a deep breath, a way to clear his mind and find the true meaning of life- the simpler way of life. And the way to find that life is to break away from all of your engagements and take a long break.

    -Alyssa Eraybar period 5

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  9. I found some comics that have to do with transcendentalism in popular culture.
    The first one is:
    http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/properties/fuscobros/home.php

    The seconcd one is:
    http://cchsenglish.pbworks.com/f/Pardon_My_Planet.gif

    I really like these comics because they really show what is wrong with out society today.

    Erica Nicolosi

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  10. Transcendentalism I think, is to go beyond the facts and look at the idealology as well as ideas, even those that may be hidden. A song I believe is a good example of this is "Where is the Love" by the Black Eyed Peas because they go beyond the obvious fact that there is war and hate in the world and draw the conclusion that we should just love each other. Here are the lyrics:

    What's wrong with the world, mama
    People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
    I think the whole world addicted to the drama
    Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
    Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
    But we still got terrorists here livin'
    In the USA, the big CIA
    The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
    But if you only have love for your own race
    Then you only leave space to discriminate
    And to discriminate only generates hate
    And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
    Madness is what you demonstrate
    And that's exactly how anger works and operates
    Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
    Take control of your mind and meditate
    Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

    People killin', people dyin'
    Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
    Can you practice what you preach
    And would you turn the other cheek

    Father, Father, Father help us
    Send some guidance from above
    'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
    Where is the love (Love)

    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love
    The love, the love

    It just ain't the same, always unchanged
    New days are strange, is the world insane
    If love and peace is so strong
    Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
    Nations droppin' bombs
    Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
    With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
    So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
    So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
    In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
    in
    Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
    Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
    A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
    The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
    If you never know truth then you never know love
    Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
    Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
    Where's the love, y'all

    People killin', people dyin'
    Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
    Can you practice what you preach
    And would you turn the other cheek

    Father, Father, Father help us
    Send some guidance from above
    'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
    Where is the love (Love)

    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love, the love, the love?

    I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
    As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
    Most of us only care about money makin'
    Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
    Wrong information always shown by the media
    Negative images is the main criteria
    Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
    Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
    Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
    Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
    Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
    Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
    That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
    That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
    There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
    Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
    Now ask yourself

    Where is the love?
    Where is the love?
    Where is the love?
    Where is the love?

    Father, Father, Father help us
    Send some guidance from above
    'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
    Where is the love?

    Sing wit me y'all:
    One world, one world (We only got)
    One world, one world (That's all we got)
    One world, one world
    And something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
    Something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
    Something's wrong wit the wo-wo-world, yeah
    We only got
    (One world, one world)
    That's all we got
    (One world, one world)

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  11. I've always liked Jack Johnson and I listen to many of his songs. Aside from the song "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" I found another song by Jack Johnson entitled "Gone" and these are the lyrics:
    Well look at all those fancy clothes
    But these could keep us warm
    Just like those.
    And what about your soul
    Is it cold
    Is it straight from the mould
    And ready to be sold.

    And cars and phones and diamond rings
    Bling, bling
    Those are only removable things
    And what about your mind
    Does it shine or
    Are there things that concern you more
    Than your time

    Gone going
    Gone everything
    Gone give a damn
    Gone be the birds when they don’t want to sing
    Gone people
    All awkward with their things
    Gone

    Look at you out to make a deal
    You try to be appealing but you lose your appeal
    And what about those shoes you’re in today
    They’ll do no good
    On the bridges you burnt along the way

    You’re willing to sell anything
    Gone with your herd
    Leave your footprints
    And we’ll shame them with our words

    Gone people
    All careless and consumed
    Gone
    Gone going
    Gone everything
    Gone give a damn
    Gone be the birds if they don’t want to sing
    Gone people
    All awkward with their things
    Gone
    - I think thios song resembles the uselessness of all the material things we have and emphasizes what Thoreau is trying to say.
    -Jerry G P.5

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  12. Some of the ideas presented in the novel, A Picture of Dorian Gray, partially relates to Thoreau’s transcendentalist beliefs. One of the characters in the story, Lord Henry, is depicted as a philosopher who often gives sage advice to others. In one scene he says:

    “The aim of life is self-development. To realize ones nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid of themselves nowadays. They have forgotten the highest of all duties, the duty one owes to one’s self. Of course they are charitable. They feed the hungry and clothe the beggar. But their own souls starve, and are naked.”

    His belief is similar to Thoreau’s in that he feels that “charity” to others has replaced the necessity to help oneself. Thoreau often speaks about how humans are caught up in their lives and fail to sufficiently foster their own development and contemplate various ideas as opposed to just blindly working or doing what is expected of one in society.

    In another scene he is speaking with his wealthy uncle who no longer wishes to write checks for charities because he is “sick of them”, and demurs to the idea that he has “nothing better to do but write checks for…silly fads”. Henry responds by saying, “Philanthropic people lose all sense of humanity. It is their distinguishing characteristic”. His words coincide with Thoreau’s belief that those who have great wealth often to not truly help mankind. Though they may write checks and contribute a small fraction of their paychecks to charities they often do not have a “sense of humanity”.

    Delaram
    Period 5

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  13. A song that I found that relates to Thoreau's ideas of transcendentalism is called, "Simple Gifts." The lyrics relate in many ways to all of the ideas that Thoreau is trying to get across to the reader. This particular song conveys the message that simplicity is all one really needs in order to be satisfied.


    "Tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free, tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, and when we return in the place just right, it will be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained, to bend and to bow we shouldn't be ashamed. To turn and turn will be our delight and by turning, we come out right."

    Isabelle
    Period 5

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  14. Look at all those fancy clothes,
    But these could keep us warm just like those.
    And what about your soul? Is it cold?
    Is it straight from the mold, and ready to be sold?

    And cars and phones and diamond rings,
    Bling, bling, those are only removable things.
    And what about your mind? Does it shine?
    Are there things that concern you, more than your time?

    This is the song Gone Going by Jack Johnson and is also sung by The Black Eyed Peas. I think that it is very ironic that the Black Eyed Peas would sing this song because they are all about being flashy and showing off all of their money. On the other hand it does not surprise me that Jack Johnson sings this song because he is all about staying low key and only getting what you need and using nothing else.

    Grace K. p-5

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  15. The lyrics that I found were from a song by The Black Eyed Peas and Justin Timberlake. It is named, "Where Is The Love". Even though it depicts a lot of modern day things that Thoreau does not talk about I think that it captures the some of the same ideas Thoreau try's to explain.Such as materialism and being self centered.

    "I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
    As I'm getting older y'all people get colder
    Most of us only care about money makin
    Selfishness got us followin the wrong direction
    Wrong information always shown by the media
    Negative images is the main criteria
    Infecting their young minds faster than bacteria
    Kids wanna act like what the see in the cinema
    Whatever happened to the values of humanity
    Whatever happened to the fairness and equality
    Instead of spreading love, we're spreading anomosity
    Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity
    That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling under
    That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling down
    It's no wonder why sometimes I'm feeling under
    I gotta keep my faith alive, until love is found "

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  16. Jessica Period 5 ^sorry I forgot to put my name

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  17. I found a song that generally isnt like Incubus but i felt like it worked. It has a very calming tone and sort of a nature like tone. I believe it shows a person who is looking for their love mate and nature will help in this journey. Floating down a beautiful, calm river can sooth and even heal problems we have in our life. Nature can be a great thing that bands are beginning to show through modern transcendentalism.

    Incubus- Aqueous Transmission

    I'm floating down a river
    Oars freed from their holds long ago
    Lying face up on the floor of my vessel
    I marvel at the stars
    And feel my heart overflow
    Further down the river
    Further down the river
    Further down the river
    Further down the river
    Two weeks without my lover
    I'm in this boat alone
    Floating down a river named emotion
    Will I make it back to shore
    Or drift into the unknown

    Further down the river
    Further down the river
    Further down the river
    Further down the river

    I'm building an antenna
    Transmissions will be sent when I am through
    Maybe we could meet again further down the river
    And share what we both discovered...
    Then revel in the view

    Further down the river
    Further down the river
    Further down the river
    Further down the river

    I'm floating down a river
    I'm floating down a river
    I'm floating down a river
    I'm floating down a river

    Nikin Period 5

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  18. I was listening to the song "Better People" by Xavier Rudd and realized that most of the lyrics can relate to many of Thoreau's ideas...

    "People saving whales
    And giving your thanks to our seas
    My respect to the ones in the forest
    Standing up for our old trees

    Them giving food to the hungry
    Giving hope to the needy
    Giving life to a baby, giving care for free
    'Cause there is freedom around us

    We have everything we need and I will care for you
    'Cause you care for me
    And we all have opinions, some of them get through
    But there's better people with more good to do, good to do

    What I have could be a message
    Or just some words from my heart
    My respect to the ones making changes
    For all the lives they'll give their all

    Like giving food to the hungry
    Giving hope to the needy
    Giving life to a baby, giving care for free
    'Cause there is freedom around us

    We have everything we need and I will care for you
    'Cause you cared for me
    And we all have opinions, some of them get through
    But there's better people with more good to do, good to do

    When our world keeps spinning round and round it goes
    Mother Nature keeps spreading its disease
    And our children keep growing up with
    What they know through what we teach and what they see

    And so only a question of the time we have
    And the lives that our children need
    As they can only keep growing up with
    What they know through what we teach and what they see

    Like giving food to the hungry
    Giving hope to the needy
    Giving life to a baby, giving care for free
    'Cause there is freedom around us

    We have everything we need and I will care for you
    'Cause you care for me
    We all have opinions, some of them get through
    But there's better people with more good to do, good to do
    Oh good to do"

    http://www.mofito.com/lyrics/xavier-rudd/92746117-better-people.htm

    Allie K. p5

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  19. I have been looking around for a while to try and find a song that would fit very well into the theme of transcendentalism and I finally found one. The song I found was "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin and it criticizes materialism just like Thoreau does in Walden. Herer are the lyrics to the song:

    Theres a lady whos sure
    All that glitters is gold
    And shes buying a stairway to heaven.
    When she gets there she knows
    If the stores are all closed
    With a word she can get what she came for.
    Ooh, ooh, and shes buying a stairway to heaven.

    Theres a sign on the wall
    But she wants to be sure
    cause you know sometimes words have two meanings.
    In a tree by the brook
    Theres a songbird who sings,
    Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven.
    Ooh, it makes me wonder,
    Ooh, it makes me wonder.

    Theres a feeling I get
    When I look to the west,
    And my spirit is crying for leaving.
    In my thoughts I have seen
    Rings of smoke through the trees,
    And the voices of those who standing looking.
    Ooh, it makes me wonder,
    Ooh, it really makes me wonder.

    And its whispered that soon
    If we all call the tune
    Then the piper will lead us to reason.
    And a new day will dawn
    For those who stand long
    And the forests will echo with laughter.

    If theres a bustle in your hedgerow
    Dont be alarmed now,
    Its just a spring clean for the may queen.
    Yes, there are two paths you can go by
    But in the long run
    Theres still time to change the road youre on.
    And it makes me wonder.

    Your head is humming and it wont go
    In case you dont know,
    The pipers calling you to join him,
    Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow,
    And did you know
    Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

    And as we wind on down the road
    Our shadows taller than our soul.
    There walks a lady we all know
    Who shines white light and wants to show
    How evrything still turns to gold.
    And if you listen very hard
    The tune will come to you at last.
    When all are one and one is all
    To be a rock and not to roll.

    And shes buying a stairway to heaven.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81eSIwsLcWg

    Jonathan P.5

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  20. With the current trend in society being the whole "green" aspect of life, I can connect the natural aspect of transcendentalism to the revival of thinking about the ecosystem; today, from government to officials to celebrities, many people are taking notice to the importance of nature with renewed awareness of environmental issues and what can be done to stall and repel humankind's adverse effects on Earth. The transcendentalist aspect of nature has emerged in many levels of pop culture; Discovery has premiered numerous widely-acclaimed programs that help to raise awareness of Mother Nature and all she holds.

    -Will, Period 5.

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  21. I think Jack Johnson's song "Never Know" goes along with some of the things that Thoreau says about society, in Walden. The part that most emphasizes this is:
    "never knowing
    shocking but we're nothing
    we're just moments
    we're clever but we're clueless
    we're just human
    amusing, confusing
    but the truth is
    all we got is questions
    we'll never know "
    This goes along with what Thoreau was saying about his fellow humans and how they are living their lives. He talks about how they are not learning the true meaning of life by living the way they are, and that unless they change their ways of life, as Thoreau did, then they will never really know why they are on this earth and how they should be spending the time they are given.

    -Buddy P.5

    ReplyDelete
  22. The following is a famous passage from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and a song from the Musical "Hair." It is just a really beautiful passage, and it also deals with transcendentalism in "The earth Seems to me a sterile promontory"


    What a piece of work is man
    How noble in reason
    How infinite in faculties
    In form and moving
    How express and admirable
    In action how like an angel
    In apprehension how like a god
    The beauty of the world
    The paragon of animals

    I have of late
    But wherefore I know not
    Lost all my mirth
    This goodly frame
    The earth
    Seems to me a sterile promontory
    This most excellent canopy
    The air-- look you!
    This brave o'erhanging firmament
    This majestical roof
    Fretted with golden fire
    Why it appears no other thing to me
    Than a foul and pestilent congregation
    Of vapors

    What a piece of work is man
    How noble in reason

    How dare they try to end this beauty?
    How dare they try to end this beauty?

    Walking in space
    We find the purpose of peace
    The beauty of life
    You can no longer hide

    Our eyes are open

    Ryan B.
    Period 5

    ReplyDelete
  23. I was listening to Xavier Rudd's Let Me Be, and even though it may be some what of a stretch I do believe that it does relate to Thoreau's ideas because all Thoreau wants is to be free from all of the excess things in the world.



    Oh oh, Let me be now
    Hmm hmm, let me because
    I want to be free now
    Oh oh, free to see, yeah well
    Want to walk away, oh oh
    Let me feel my feet
    Let me be, free

    Time and time and time we see these
    Acts against humanity, well,
    Each for each and each will be then
    Shed blood for what they each believe, well
    On and on and on we go well,
    Some will you see and, some won't be
    True for you and truth will lead you
    To a sense of, well now, peace

    Let me be now
    Hmm hmm, let me because
    I want to be free now,
    Oh oh, free to see, yeah well
    Want to walk away, oh oh
    Let me feel my feet
    Let me be, free

    Time and time and time we see these
    Acts against humanity, well
    Each for each and each will be then
    Shed blood for what they each believe, well
    On and on and on we go well
    Some will you see and, some won't be
    True for you and truth will lead you
    To a sense of,well now, peace

    Let me be now

    Hmm hmm, let me because
    I want to be free now
    Oh oh, free to see, yeah well
    Want to walk away, oh oh
    Let me feel my feet
    Let me be, free

    (Solo)

    Wanna be wanna see would you let me go
    Let me be now, hmm hmm, let me be
    Wanna be wanna see would you let me go
    Let me be now, hmm hmm, let me be-cause
    I wanna be free
    Oh, i wanna be free
    Yeah I said, I said, I said, I said
    Free free now, free to see
    Oh, cos I, wanna be free


    Grace K p.5

    ReplyDelete
  24. 2nd Transcendentalist Modern Day Example:
    Blackbird singing in the dead of night
    Take these broken wings and learn to fly
    All your life
    You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

    Blackbird singing in the dead of night
    Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
    All your life
    You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

    Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
    Into the light of the dark black night.

    Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
    Into the light of the dark black night.

    Blackbird singing in the dead of night
    Take these broken wings and learn to fly
    All your life
    You were only waiting for this moment to arise
    You were only waiting for this moment to arise
    You were only waiting for this moment to arise

    Blackbird--The Beatles
    This song somewhat expresses part of the transcendentalist ways. It shows the idea of taking very little, in this case-broken things, and making them sufficient or great. "Take these sunken eyes and learn to see" is a great example of this.
    Another aspect of this how this sense makes people free. "You were only waiting for this moment to be free." I think living in a transcendental manner will lead to spiritual freedom.
    --Grace Hager Period 5

    ReplyDelete
  25. I had a hard time finding a modern example of transcendentalism, so I looked back at my own definition. I thought it related a lot to the trend of being “green” and using the least amount of products. I was watching an episode of “18 and Counting” and the Duggar Family was discussing how they operate their house. They make their own soap and clothes, grow their own food, and even built their house with their own hands. For power, they use solar panels and burn firewood from their own land. This family avoids T.V. as well as using the computer for non-school related subjects. All of these ideas relate back to using less, and avoiding unnecessary things, especially technology which are all a part of transcendentalism. They primarily use what they make with their own hands like Thoreau did by Walden Pond. Even the Duggar’s reasoning behind all these actions is very similar to what Thoreau discussed in his book and the ideas of transcendentalism. The Duggar’s do all of these things to be closer to God and be more spiritual in there daily lives. The Duggar family follows transcendentalism without intending to in my opinion.

    Ella Period 5

    ReplyDelete
  26. "Standing on the bare ground,--my head bathed by the blithe air and uplifted into infinite space,--all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or parcel of God." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

    I think this quote describes what transcendentalism actually is in an easier way to understand. I really like this quote and i think people can learn alot about what transcendtalism is.

    I also think this song, Transcendental by Imago Mortis can help people understand this concept better. This song definitly relates to Thoreau's thinking about transcendentalism.


    What should i do

    To go beyond

    Returning to the place

    Where we belong
    To open the zenith doors

    To live forever

    Out of the cycle

    A passage to eternity
    Love existential, madrigal

    Among the stars

    Nature's embrace

    Entwined with our souls
    To take the past away

    A heavenbound heart

    Reach for the skies

    And soon it begins

    One last closes in
    This is not for heaven

    This is not for me

    It's another way i'm supposed to be

    A mind that will be free
    To breath new air

    Each others air

    Brand new day at dawn

    Age of new life

    A thousand years

    Gone in peace
    Forever seems so short

    All is full of pleasure

    Amidst harmonious waves

    Of life, i end my symphony here
    An evening light

    At a silence beach

    Need no more wings

    Just the wish to fly
    The boat has anchored

    The journey ends
    Now i'm free



    Nicole Carangelo
    Period 3

    ReplyDelete
  27. After watching the movie, Fight Club, i found that, surprisingly, there are quite a few connections between some of the characters and Thoreau. Brad Pitt's character, Tyler Durden, has very similar views to those of Thoreau. Throughout the movie, his whole purpose is to get people to stop leading such complex and unnecessary lives. He convinces Edward Norton's character, Cornelius that physical possessions are useless and that he should focus on the finer things in life. Tyler's goal is to destroy the credit card companies in the city and send everyone back to the stone age, free of debt and money. In the movie, Tyler pulls off another stunt which is very similar to Thoreau's life on Walden Pond. He finds an abandoned mansion in the middle of nowhere, miles from any people, and lives alone there.


    Austin D. per. 3

    ReplyDelete
  28. I was thinking about what Throeau preached, about how he didn't need actual physical possessions to be happy. This made me think about Stevie Wonder's song "Uptight (Everything's Alright)". Stevie Wonder sings things like "My money's low and my suit's out of style, But it's all right if my clothes aren't new, Out of sight because my heart is true." Wonder shares Thoreau's mindset of looking past materialistic gain, and looks to just be happy with life

    Matt, P 3

    ReplyDelete
  29. Okay so the first and second time I wrote this my computer erased it. So this might not be as good as the original but I’ll try. Also I don’t really know what the proper definition is so im just going to go with what I think it is.
    So I think transcendentalism can relate to several religions. One being mormon, in which they don’t feel the need to indulge themselves in unnessary things like soda, certain clothing, and other things, like Thoreau would say, just satisfy yourself, do not over indulge. Another religion, which I do not know the name of but will provide you with the description, is the one, commonly seen in the middle east where the women must cover everything but their eyes. They don’t need to over indulge and other such nonsense. A man should love them for their personality rather than superficial products and clothing.
    Now onto Harry Potter, because EVERYTHING RELATES TO HARRY POTTER!!! In harry potter he has to go through many hard trials. Going from having nothing to being able to grasp it all in matter of a few years, or a flick of the wand :}. Yet he doesn’t, he is rather humble. He always sticks to his true friends, not really caring about the best wand or the best robes, just suriving. Also within the book everything can be anylized to different meanings. Some say Dumbledore was gay, some say he was God, anyone can see it how ever they want. In Thoreau he says “for complaint if a man’s writings admit of more than one interpretation”. Everyone can have their opinions and suck wisdom from what ever they choose to.
    -Christina p3

    ReplyDelete
  30. I agree with Austin’s post comparing certain themes of Fight Club to Walden. The author of Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk, has written another book, Invisible Monsters, which also relates to Walden. In this novel he writes,“we're so trapped in our culture, in the being of being human on this planet with the brains we have, and the same two arms and two legs everybody else has. We're so trapped that in any way we could imagine to escape would be just another part of the trap. Anything we want, we're trained to want." His quote is similar to Thoreau’s idea that we often do things because it is what’s expected of us and not what we really choose to do. Our culture has engulfed us so thoroughly that we fail to distinguish between what we need and the limitless number of things that we just want. We place ourselves in a sort of “mental jail” and confine ourselves only to thoughts that we’ve been exposed to by other sources. We limit ourselves to a certain lifestyle and are often too afraid to explore beyond the outer limits of these walls. Walden speaks of this in the section entitled “Where I Lived”. He writes, “as long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.” He is referring to the human tendency to commit to land or other objects without realizing the futility of our actions.

    Delaram
    Period 5

    ReplyDelete
  31. I know that relating Classical Music to Thoreau and to Transcendentalism may seem farfetched, but one specific piece struck me in a way that really made me think about connections to the piece and Walden. The piece was written by Russian Composer, Igor Stravinsky. It is entitled "The Rite of Spring" or "Le Sacre du Printemps" formally. This piece was originally written as a ballet and was to be performed as such, nowadays it is usually performed as an orchestral work by symphony orchestras. The Rite of Spring was revolutionary, nobody at that time had ever heard of music with such dissonance. It was very much frowned upon by almost every listener. The piece tells a story of the spring time and the awakening of people embracing the nature around them. It is a very tribal-esque piece and is very beautiful. I can easily relate this to Walden just because it has some of Thoreau's concepts right within the piece. Amusingly enough, I can also connect a majority of our reactions to the book to those of the ballet at the premiere. Stravinsky took risks, doing things that most composers of that time would never have done....as did Thoreau with his time period at Walden Pond.

    -The Joffrey Ballet's recreation of the 1913 Nijinsky choreography of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring."-

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjX3oAwv_Fs

    Tom (Period 3)

    ReplyDelete
  32. For my second example, I decided to address the materialism that that transcendentalism opposes and how we simplify our lives today. I thought a lot about Thoreau’s points in the book which led me to recycled clothing. Consignment stores and hand-me-downs really apply to transcendentalism. Today, many people try to minimize all the stuff they accumulate by living. Donating and generally giving away seems to be a popular trend in my opinion. Everyone wants to make room in their lives for various purposes. Transcendentalism promotes using less and reusing what you have. Consignment stores, as well as hand-me-downs, do just that. They allow people to free some of the clutter from their own lives while not allowing the belongings to go to waste because they are being reused. Thoreau said in his book to “simplify” and in my opinion these are popular ways that people do that with their own lives today.

    Ella Period 6

    ReplyDelete
  33. Transcendentalism had first began as a protest against society and culture. Most transcendentalists are rebels something they are trying to be different from.
    An example of transcendentalism is shown in the song "Where is the love?" by the Black eyed peas. This song shows the hidden ideas of how much our world has changed.

    Here are the lyrics:

    What's wrong with the world, mama
    People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
    I think the whole world addicted to the drama
    Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
    Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
    But we still got terrorists here livin'
    In the USA, the big CIA
    The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
    But if you only have love for your own race
    Then you only leave space to discriminate
    And to discriminate only generates hate
    And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
    Madness is what you demonstrate
    And that's exactly how anger works and operates
    Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
    Take control of your mind and meditate
    Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

    People killin', people dyin'
    Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
    Can you practice what you preach
    And would you turn the other cheek

    Father, Father, Father help us
    Send some guidance from above
    'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
    Where is the love (Love)

    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love
    The love, the love

    It just ain't the same, always unchanged
    New days are strange, is the world insane
    If love and peace is so strong
    Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
    Nations droppin' bombs
    Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
    With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
    So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
    So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
    In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
    in
    Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
    Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
    A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
    The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
    If you never know truth then you never know love
    Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
    Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
    Where's the love, y'all

    People killin', people dyin'
    Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
    Can you practice what you preach
    And would you turn the other cheek

    Father, Father, Father help us
    Send some guidance from above
    'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
    Where is the love (Love)

    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love, the love, the love?

    I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
    As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
    Most of us only care about money makin'
    Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
    Wrong information always shown by the media
    Negative images is the main criteria
    Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
    Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
    Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
    Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
    Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
    Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
    That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
    That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
    There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
    Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
    Now ask yourself

    Where is the love?
    Where is the love?
    Where is the love?
    Where is the love

    ReplyDelete
  34. Transcendentalism had first began as a protest against society and culture. Most transcendentalists are rebels something they are trying to be different from.
    An example of transcendentalism is shown in the song "Where is the love?" by the Black eyed peas. This song shows the hidden ideas of how much our world has changed.

    Here are the lyrics:

    What's wrong with the world, mama
    People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
    I think the whole world addicted to the drama
    Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
    Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
    But we still got terrorists here livin'
    In the USA, the big CIA
    The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
    But if you only have love for your own race
    Then you only leave space to discriminate
    And to discriminate only generates hate
    And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
    Madness is what you demonstrate
    And that's exactly how anger works and operates
    Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
    Take control of your mind and meditate
    Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

    People killin', people dyin'
    Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
    Can you practice what you preach
    And would you turn the other cheek

    Father, Father, Father help us
    Send some guidance from above
    'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
    Where is the love (Love)

    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love
    The love, the love

    It just ain't the same, always unchanged
    New days are strange, is the world insane
    If love and peace is so strong
    Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
    Nations droppin' bombs
    Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
    With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
    So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
    So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
    In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
    in
    Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
    Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
    A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
    The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
    If you never know truth then you never know love
    Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
    Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
    Where's the love, y'all

    People killin', people dyin'
    Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
    Can you practice what you preach
    And would you turn the other cheek

    Father, Father, Father help us
    Send some guidance from above
    'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
    Where is the love (Love)

    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love (The love)
    Where is the love, the love, the love?

    I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
    As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
    Most of us only care about money makin'
    Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
    Wrong information always shown by the media
    Negative images is the main criteria
    Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
    Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
    Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
    Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
    Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
    Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
    That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
    That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
    There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
    Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
    Now ask yourself

    Where is the love?
    Where is the love?
    Where is the love?
    Where is the love
    ~ Anjali Period 3

    ReplyDelete
  35. For my second example of transcendentalism, an example I found was a movie that we saw in American Character called "The 60's" this movie shows many protests people had during the time and people were more with nature during that time. The definition of transcendentalism tells that it had begun as a protest against society and culture, which is shown in this movie.
    ~ Anjali period 3

    ReplyDelete
  36. I was listening to John Lenon's "Strawberry Fields Forever" today and I realized that these lyrics relate to Thoreau's ideas of transcendentalism.

    Lyrics:

    Let me take you down, cause Im going to
    Strawberry fields
    Nothing is real
    And nothing to get hung about
    Strawberry fields forever

    Living is easy with eyes closed
    Misunderstanding all you see
    Its getting hard to be someone, but it all works out
    It doesnt matter much to me

    Let me take you down, cause Im going to
    Strawberry fields
    Nothing is real
    And nothing to get hung about
    Strawberry fields forever

    No one, I think, is in my tree
    I mean, it must be high or low
    That is, you cant, you know, tune in, but its alright
    That is, I think its not too bad

    Let me take you down, cause Im going to
    Strawberry fields
    Nothing is real
    And nothing to get hung about
    Strawberry fields forever

    Always, no, sometimes, think its me
    But, you know, I know when its a dream
    I think, er, no, I mean, er, yes, but its all wrong
    That is, I think I disagree

    Let me take you down, cause Im going to
    Strawberry fields
    Nothing is real
    And nothing to get hung about
    Strawberry fields forever
    Strawberry fields forever
    Strawberry fields forever

    -Shrija Thapa Per:3

    ReplyDelete
  37. I still really don't understand Transcendentalism but I do see it in the late 60's and early 70's with the Hippie movement. The Hare Krishna's lifestyle was an intense version of communism and they were connected to nature and gave up everything except the complete necessities of life. Sure the Hippies were tripping on some crazy drugs but with the way Thoreau talks about nature I wouldn't put drugs beneath him. Transcendentalism was something many people of that generation sought to achieve.
    R. Baker, Period 3

    ReplyDelete
  38. I was listening to "Pantomime" by Incubus and i noticed that the ideas portrayed in his "fantasy" are very transcendentalist. The lead singer, Brandon Boyd talks about going care free in the world, without having to worry about anything.

    Here are the lyrics

    In my fantasy, Im a Pantomime
    I'll just move my hands and everyone sees what I mean
    Words are too messy, and its way past time
    To end in my mouth paint my face white and tried
    To reinvent the sea, one wave a time
    Speak without my voice and see the world by candlelight
    I aint afraid to let it out
    Im not afraid to take that fall
    But I have found beyond all doubt
    You say more by saying nothing at all
    In my fantasy, no such thing as time
    Minutes bleed into days avant garde and show
    Me your heresies, and Ill show you mine
    We only speak in Pantomimes on this carpet ride
    I aint afraid to let it out
    Im not afraid to take that fall
    But I found beyond all doubt
    You say more by saying nothing at all
    In my fantasy, you look good entwined
    In my hair and skin and spit and sweat and spilled red wine
    Youre my deep secret
    Im your Pantomime
    Ill just move my hands Ill promise youll see what I mean

    Austin D per.3

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow! You are making such amazing connections! Wouldn't it be cool to burn a "transcendentalist" cd of the songs you commented upon? Any volunteers? I'll supply the CD's...Mrs. B

    ReplyDelete
  40. Steve Miller's song "Fly like an Eagle" reminded me of trancendentalism.

    "I want to fly like an eagle
    To the sea
    Fly like an eagle
    Let my spirit carry me
    I want to fly like an eagle
    Till Im free
    Oh, lord, through the revolution"

    The chorus shows the "being yourself" idea, while the rest of the song shows the non-materialistic views of trancendentalism.

    Matt M. P 3

    ReplyDelete
  41. I was reading through the previous posts and found a great point made by Austin. I never realized it until he point it out, but he was comparing Tyler Durtan to Thoreau in that they had similar ideas of simplicity. And Fight Club is such a good movie, and educational, so our class should watch it in one day. ;) But my example of Transendentialism is a song "Ants Marching" by Dave Mattews Band. The song basically tells you to go out and follow your dreams. Be what you want to be and don't let others change this view.

    "He wakes up in the morning
    Does his teeth bite to eat and hes rolling
    Never changes a thing
    The week ends the week begins
    She thinks, we look at each other
    Wondering what the other is thinking
    But we never say a thing
    And these crimes between us grow deeper

    Take these chances
    Place them in a box until a quieter time
    Lights down, you up and die

    Goes to visit his mommy
    She feeds him well his concerns he forgets them
    And remembers being small
    Playing under the table and dreaming

    Driving along on this highway
    All these cars and upon the sidewalk
    People in every direction
    No words exchanged, no time to exchange and when
    All the little ants are marching
    Red and black antennae waving
    They all do it the same
    They all do it the same way

    Candyman tempting the thoughts of a
    Sweet tooth tortured by weit loss
    Program cutting the corners
    Loose end, loose end cut cut
    On the fence, not to offend
    Cut cut cut cut

    Take these chances
    Place them in a box until a quieter time
    Lights down you up and die
    Lights down you up and die"

    Jonathan C p.5

    ReplyDelete
  42. I started to think about different groups of people who attempt to live simpler and the Amish religion is similar. They are best known for their simple living, plain dress and resistance to the adoption of many modern conveniences. Thourea would have approved of the Amish group.

    Nikin P. 5

    ReplyDelete
  43. As i went to some of the websites and read different definitions of transcendentalism i was able to bring it all together and make up my own definition. I think that transcendentalism is a way life that a person chooses to follow. Transcendentalism is when you are not living materialistic but living simply. Also when following transcendentalism you should spend time alone and with nature to figure out who you really are and who you want to be. When following this way of life you should make your own path and do not follow somebody else. All of these factors tie together to make up transcendentalism.

    I found a song by Steve Earle called Transcendental Blues.

    In the darkest hour of the longest night
    If it was in my power I'd step into the light
    Candles on the alter, penny in your shoe
    Walk upon the water ¡Âº transcendental blues

    Happy ever after 'til the day you die
    Careful what you ask for, you don't know 'til you try
    Hands are in your pockets, starin' at your shoes
    Wishin' you could stop it ¡Âº transcendental blues

    If I had it my way, everything would change
    Out here on this highway the rules are still the same
    Back roads never carry you where you want 'em to
    They leave you standin' there with them ol' transcendental blues

    Nicole Carangelo
    Period 3

    ReplyDelete
  44. I was listening to "Simple Man"Lynyrd Skynyrd and I noticed the obvoius implications of transdentialism through out the song and especially in the chorus.

    Mama told me when I was young
    Come sit beside me, my only son
    And listen closely to what I say.
    And if you do this
    It will help you some sunny day.
    Take your time... Don't live too fast,
    Troubles will come and they will pass.
    Go find a woman and you'll find love,
    And don't forget son,
    There is someone up above.

    (Chorus)
    And be a simple kind of man.
    Be something you love and understand.
    Be a simple kind of man.
    Won't you do this for me son,
    If you can?

    Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
    All that you need is in your soul,
    And you can do this if you try.
    All that I want for you my son,
    Is to be satisfied.

    (Chorus)

    Boy, don't you worry... you'll find yourself.
    Follow you heart and nothing else.
    And you can do this if you try.
    All I want for you my son,
    Is to be satisfied.

    (Chorus)

    Billy C. Per. 3

    ReplyDelete
  45. the movie last holiday with queen latifa in it reminds me of transend.... kind of. Because he doesnt really like travel and indulging in food which is kind of what she does. When she finds out shes going to die she goes to france and enjoys all the food and clothing and lifestyles she hasnt let herself have. But i think she is enjoying nature by seeing the beauty of france. And she is enjoying relationships with people from different places and trying new things.. So i think what she does reflects the veiws expressed by transend....
    -christina p3

    ReplyDelete
  46. The movie called " Perfect Storm" reminds me of transcendentalism because in the movie the men perceive a reality through a contact with nature. They face with the danger of the sea and, through this experience, they come to a higher knowledge.
    ~Shrija Thapa Per:3~

    ReplyDelete
  47. when looking at the song gone, going, i found some very trancendentalistic verses.

    one of the verses that really stuck out was:
    "He a star now, but he ain't singing it from the heart
    Sooner or later it's just gonna fall apart
    Coz his fans can't relate to his new found art
    He ain't doing what he did from the start
    And that's puttin' in some feeling and thought
    He decided to live his life shallow
    Cash in his love for material."
    In this song, a man set out to become rich and famous, which he accoplishes. however, along the way, the man begins performing for profit, instead of performing for what he originally was doing it for: himself. the artist go on to question what happened to him and whether he was really happy, now that he has aquired all these material things and given up the feeling that he used to show in his performances.

    Kevin Per.5

    ReplyDelete
  48. The song "Pig" by Dave Matthews Band in my opinion expresses some of the views of transcendentalism.

    Isn't it strange
    How we move our lives for another day
    Like skipping a beat
    What if a great wave should wash us all away
    Just thinking out loud
    Don't mean to dwell on this dying thing
    But looking at blood
    It's alive right now
    Deep and sweet within
    Pouring through our veins
    Intoxicate moving wine to tears
    Drinking it deep
    Then an evening spent dancing
    It's you and me
    This love will open our world
    From the dark side we can see a glow of something bright
    There's much more than we see here
    Don't burn the day away
    Is this not enough
    This blessed sip of life
    Is it not enough
    Staring down at the ground
    Oh then complain and pray more from above
    Greedy little pig
    Stop just watch your world trickle away
    Oh it's your problem now
    It'll all be dead and gone in a few short years
    Just love will open our eyes
    Just love will put the hope in our minds
    Much more than we could ever know
    Don't burn the day away
    Come sister my brother
    Shake up your bones shake up your feet
    I'm saying open up
    And let the rain come pouring in
    Wash out this tired notion
    That the best is yet to come
    But while you're dancing on the ground
    Don't think of when you're gone
    Love love what more is there
    We need the light of love in here
    Don't beat your head
    Dry your eyes
    Let the love in there
    There are bad times
    But that's ok
    Just look for love in it
    Don't burn the day away
    Look
    Here are we
    On this starry night staring into space
    And I must say
    I feel as small as dust
    Lying down here
    What point could there be troubling
    Head down wondering what will become of me
    Why concern we cannot see
    But no reason to abandon it
    Time is short but that's all right
    Maybe I'll go in the middle of the night
    Take your hands from your eyes, my love
    Everything must end some time
    Don't burn the day away
    Come sister my brother
    Shake up your bones shake up your feet
    I'm saying open up
    And let the rain come flooding in
    Wash out this tired notion
    That the best is yet to come
    But while you're dancing on the ground
    Don't think of when you're gone
    Love love what more is there
    We need the light of love in here
    Don't beat your head
    Dry your eyes
    Let the love in there
    There are bad times
    But that's ok
    Just look for love in it

    These lyrics essentially say live in the day you are living and be open to express your emotions, in this case, love. These ideas can be seen throughout all of Walden. My favorite verse of this song is "What point could there be troubling
    Head down wondering what will become of me
    Why concern we cannot see
    But no reason to abandon it
    Time is short but that's all right
    Maybe I'll go in the middle of the night"
    It really addresses the issues we have in today's society where everyone, myself included, gets so caught up in what we will become instead of what we are today as a person and how we get so driven by goals that in the end, wont matter if you were true to yourself, your passions and your instincts.

    Margaret P.5

    ReplyDelete
  49. *weren't true to yourself*
    Margaret P.5

    ReplyDelete
  50. Here is a little cartoon on transcendentalism.

    http://www.funnytimes.com/cartoons.php?cotw_id=20080430

    This cartoon portrays transcendentalism as "hide and seek" being a way to find your inner self. They show it as counting down from 60 and seeing if you have found yourself. Just like Walden did in "Life in the Woods" except in Walden's case it took him two years to find his inner self whereas this monk portrayed in the cartoon only takes 60 seconds.

    - Just a bit of transcendentalism humor

    Alex A.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I was listening to this song the other day that came on the radio and was thinking that it really had to do with transcendentalism. The songs name is Don't Answer Me by Alan Parsons. He talks about not talking or answering and keeping your silence which is exactly as Walden does in "Life in the Woods."

    (Eric Woolfson - Lead Vocal)

    If you believe in the power magic,
    I can change your mind
    And if you need to believe in someone,
    Turn and look behind
    When we were living in a dream world,
    Clouds got in the way
    We gave it up in a moment of madness
    And threw it all away

    Don't answer me, don't break the silence
    Don't let me win
    Don't answer me, stay on your island
    Don't let me in

    Run away and hide from everyone
    Can you change the things we've said and done?

    If you believe in the power of magic,
    It's all a fantasy
    So if you need to believe in someone,
    Just pretend it's me
    It ain't enough that we meet as strangers
    I can't set you free
    So will you turn your back forever on what you mean to me?

    Don't answer me, don't break the silence
    Don't let me win
    Don't answer me, stay on your island
    Don't let me in

    Run away and hide from everyone
    Can you change the things we've said and done?

    Alex A.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Mrs. Baker, I'm sorry for the late response, but this completely slipped my mind.
    Anyway, Jack Johnson's song, Banana Pancakes reminded me of transcendentalism. The goal of this song, as he pretty much says in his lyrics, is to keep you from doing the things you are supposed to do. Thoreau's goal was simplicity and it seams that this song tries to make you slow down your life and not do everything that you are scheduled to do.

    Can't you see that it's just rainin'
    There ain't no need to go outside

    But baby, you hardly even notice
    When I try to show you
    this song It's meant to keep you
    From doin' what you're supposed to
    Like wakin' up too early
    Maybe we could sleep in
    I'll make you banana pancakes
    Pretend like it's the weekend now

    And we could pretend it all the time
    Can't you see that it's just rainin'
    There ain't no need to go outside

    But just maybe, like an ukulele
    Mama made a baby
    I really don't mind to practice
    Because you're my little lady
    Lady, lady love me
    Because I love to lay here lazy
    We could close the curtains
    Pretend like there's no world outside
    And we could pretend that all the time

    Can't you see that it's just raining
    There ain't no need to go outside

    Ain't no need, ain't no need
    Can't you see, can't you see

    Rain all day and I don't mind

    The telephone singing, ringing, it's too early
    Don't pick it up
    We don't need to
    We got everything we need right here
    And everything we need is enough
    It's just so easy
    When the whole world fits inside of your arms

    Do we really need to pay attention to the alarm
    Wake up slow, wake up slow

    But baby, you hardly even notice
    When I try to show you this song
    It's meant to keep you
    From doin' what your supposed to
    Like wakin' up too early
    Maybe we could sleep in
    I'll make you banana pancakes
    Pretend like it's the weekend now
    And we could pretend it all the time

    Can't you see that it's just rainin'
    There ain't no need to go outside

    Ain't no need, ain't no need
    Rain all day and I really, really, really don't mind
    Can't you see, can't you see

    We've got to wake up slow
    Jeff Warner Period 3

    ReplyDelete
  53. I remember an episode of Man vs Wild where Bear Grylls is in the Sahara. He roams the desert for a few days. During these days, 3 of his crew who videotape him were taken away with heat stroke. At the end of this episode, he was taken in by a tribe who lives near a water spring. He explains how he respects the nature around him and the people who live in such harsh places. He says this in many of his episodes, but when his life was truly in danger from the hot sun, he appreciated it that much more. He explains that when you are out in the wild, you are not on top of the food chain so you must respect everything around you. I believe he has reached a state of transcendentalism through being in so many places to survive. He is, in many ways, like Thoreau.
    Jeff Warner Period 3

    ReplyDelete
  54. I was researching transcendentalism in comics and this comic came up. It is an example of Emerson’s belief that, “Envy is ignorance and imitation is suicide.”

    http://cchsenglish.pbworks.com/f/Pardon_My_Planet.gif

    Maria p.5

    ReplyDelete
  55. Mrs. Baker,
    I went to look for all of my blogposts i could not find one of the posts i posted a while ago. So i did a new post....
    Nicole Carangelo
    Period 3

    This is a poem written by Emily Dickinson about Transcendentalism.

    Selected "Transcendental" Poems of Emily Dickinson
    J. 303, "The Soul Selects her own Society"

    The Soul selects her own Society
    Then shuts the Door
    To her divine Majority
    Present no more

    Unmoved she notes the Chariots pausing
    At her low Gate
    Unmoved an Emperor be kneeling
    Upon her Mat

    I've known her from an ample nation
    Choose One
    Then close the Valves of her attention
    Like Stone


    This is a quote by Thoreau about transcendentalism:

    Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.

    I agree with this quote, we do laugh and make fun of how our parents or grandparents use to dress. Then we follow the newest fashion designs today like it is our religion, meaning we follow it so closley and do not have our own taste of style.

    Another quote Thoreau said that i also agree with is....


    Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

    I also agree with this quote Thoreau said. I believe that everyone should follow their own dreams and not somebody elses dreams. Do not let anybody tell you you cannot do anything or be anything you want to be. Be confident in yourself and in your dreams.

    Another quote Thoreau said:

    "Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it."

    This quote is motivational in many ways. It helps athletes realize they have to work hard for what they want and they will achieve their goals. Just saying you want to win a game will not automatically win it, you have to work hard for it. You have to want to do something inside yourself, other people cannot make you want something, you must want it.

    http://www.jjjwebdevelopment.com/306sites/transcendentalism/trans_quotes.shtml

    This website has many great quotes.

    Nicole Carangelo
    Period 3

    ReplyDelete
  56. John lennon's "Imagine" is another good example of transdentalism in pop culture. The song proposes peace and simplicity for everyone to follow:

    Imagine there's no heaven
    It's easy if you try
    No hell below us
    Above us only sky
    Imagine all the people
    Living for today...

    Imagine there's no countries
    It isn't hard to do
    Nothing to kill or die for
    And no religion too
    Imagine all the people
    Living life in peace...

    You may say I'm a dreamer
    But I'm not the only one
    I hope someday you'll join us
    And the world will be as one

    Imagine no possessions
    I wonder if you can
    No need for greed or hunger
    A brotherhood of man
    Imagine all the people
    Sharing all the world...

    You may say I'm a dreamer
    But I'm not the only one
    I hope someday you'll join us
    And the world will live as one

    Billy C. per. 3

    ReplyDelete
  57. One TV show that has a very transcendentalist theme is called Clean Sweep. In this show, people come to your house and help you get rid of things that you dont need. In doing this, a participant on the show gets rid of things that aren't necessary, just as Thoreau suggests we should do. At the end of the show, when the participant sees the rooms that they uncluttered, they are always happier than they were when they had so many extra possesions.

    Kevin G, Per. 5

    ReplyDelete
  58. I was thinking about transcendentalism today and i realized the movie Wall-E relates to many of Emerson's and Thoreau's ideas. In this movie, Earth has become uninhabitable due to the amount of waste humans have created. The only thing left on the planet is a little robot, Wall-E. One day, he finds a small plant and discovers that there is hope for new life afterall. He quickly transports the plant to the humans' new home in outer space, only to find that they all have become lazy and obese slobs. All they do is sit around in chairs that bring them wherever they want to go so they do not even have to walk. Wall-E shows them the error of their new ways and teaches them how to live again. This movie shows that there are much more important things in life than just conforming to the norm, which is what Emerson and Thoreau both believed in.

    -Allie K. p5

    ReplyDelete
  59. Bones are sinking like stones
    All that we fall for
    Homes places we've grown
    All of us are done for

    And we live in a beautiful world (yeah we do yeah we do)
    We live in a beautiful world


    This is a song that coldplay sings and I believe that it relates to transcendentalism because it is talking about how we live in a beautiful world but if we don't take care of it then there will be nothing left of it one day. In the song when it says " homes places we've grown, all of us are done for," meaning we have built up this world and we are knocking it down by being reckless and not careing. - Kaitlin Pelazza

    ReplyDelete
  60. I think that through the new idea of being ecinomically friendly we have introduced transcendentialism into our modern society. with the new aspect of recyling everything you can we have embraced the nature idea of transcendentialism. Lately there have been many PSA for hybrid cars, conserving electricity and recycling. Thoureau may not have approved of cars or even electricity but for todays society we can't possibly confine our selves to all the rules of that lifestyle so maybe being evironmentally friendly is in some ways a modern version of transcendentialism.
    R.baker period 3

    ReplyDelete
  61. Blog #2:
    Another song i listen to alot is "fly like an eagle" by Steve Miller Band. I believe this sond presents ideas of transcendentalism because it is about being free and every body being equal. It's also about feeding the hungry and clothing the homeless.
    -Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
    Into the future
    Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
    Into the future

    I want to fly like an eagle
    To the sea
    Fly like an eagle
    Let my spirit carry me
    I want to fly like an eagle
    Till I'm free
    Oh, Lord, through the revolution

    Feed the babies
    Who don't have enough to eat
    Shoe the children
    With no shoes on their feet
    House the people
    Livin' in the street
    Oh, oh, there's a solution

    I want to fly like an eagle
    To the sea
    Fly like an eagle
    Let my spirit carry me
    I want to fly like an eagle
    Till I'm free
    Fly through the revolution

    Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
    Into the future
    Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
    Into the future
    Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
    Into the future
    Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
    Into the future

    I want to fly like an eagle
    To the sea
    Fly like an eagle
    Let my spirit carry me
    I want to fly like an eagle
    Till I'm free
    Fly through the revolution
    Jerry p.5

    ReplyDelete
  62. Paved Paradise

    Something you should know about They Paved Paradise Lyrics

    Title: Counting Crows - They Paved Paradise lyrics

    Artist: Counting Crows Lyrics

    Visitors: 59917 visitors have hited They Paved Paradise Lyrics since May 27, 2008.






    They paved paradise and put up a parkin' lot
    With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot
    Don't it always seem to go
    That you don't know what you got till it's gone
    They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

    They took all the trees, and put em in a tree museum
    And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them
    Don't it always seem to go
    That you don't know what you got till it's gone
    They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot

    Hey farmer, farmer, put away your DDT
    I don't care about spots on my apples,
    LEAVE me the birds and the bees please
    Don't it always seem to go
    That you don't know what you got till it's gone
    They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
    Hey now, they paved paradise to put up a parking lot


    i thought this was interesting because its talking about how everyone is getting away from nature and just moving on to the biggest and better things. Walden would have been very upset if he had someone come to his pond and take down those trees and build something "useless" in its place. He would say that the world was getting away from the important things and wasting time when they should be self reflecting and "sucking the marrow out of life"

    Emily P.3

    ReplyDelete
  63. >ONDCP has several slick television commercials on the subject. One shows
    >dramatic auto accidents and two crash test dummies passing a joint while a
    >serious voice says, "In a recent study, one in three reckless drivers
    >tested positive for marijuana." Note the careful phrasing. The idea is to
    >make viewers think that marijuana caused the reckless driving, without
    >really saying that it did.

    >Why would ONDCP be so coy? The answer lies in the actual data regarding
    >marijuana's effects on driving,

    >I study the effects of drugs and teach classes in the science of illicit
    >substances, so I know this field. The plain fact is that marijuana does not
    >cause reckless driving. Large studies of accidents show that drivers who
    >test positive for marijuana (and ONLY marijuana -- i.e., people who haven't
    >also been drinking or taking other intoxicating drugs) cause fewer crashes
    >than people who haven't had any drugs at all.

    >That's right, people "high" on marijuana cause fewer crashes than those who
    >are completely sober. The findings seemed impossible to explain. It was a
    >puzzle that made no sense.

    >A bright and talented researcher in the Netherlands named Robbe recently
    >solved that puzzle. He got experienced marijuana users stoned and had them
    >drive around the streets of Holland. But these guys were no dummies. They
    >drove slower, increased the distance between their cars and the cars in
    >front of them, and never tried to pass other cars. Folks who smoked a
    >placebo (a non-intoxicating substance made to look and smell like
    >marijuana) drove as they usually did. Alcohol, alone or in combination with
    >marijuana, wrecked driving completely.

    >Robbe's results helped explain the accident studies. People who used
    >marijuana and only marijuana were compensating for the drug's effects by
    >driving more carefully. Nobody should drive high, but we can all take a
    >lesson from these people who did: slow down, leave space between your car
    >and the next, and don't try to pass. Unlike alcohol, which makes people
    >behave recklessly, marijuana users tend to be aware that they are impaired
    >and compensate with some success.

    >But what about the ONDCP's claim that one in three reckless drivers tested
    >positive for marijuana?

    >It's not quite a lie, but it's deliberately misleading. The Drug Czar's no
    >dummy. He wants to scare people, and he knows the complete facts won't do
    >it. Instead he throws out scary but incomplete and misleading statistics --
    >and hopes people won't question them. Yes, one in three reckless drivers
    >tested positive for marijuana in a urine screen, but we don't know how many
    >of them had alcohol, antihistamines, cocaine, or any number of other drugs
    >in their systems.

    >Legislators need to ask for the complete facts behind the scare stories
    >before they start passing new laws based on misinformation.

    >There are cheaper, easier ways to get impaired drivers off the road.
    >Roadside sobriety tests are reliable, inexpensive, and valid indicators of
    >impaired driving. Law-enforcement officers can learn to administer these
    >tests quickly and easily. Unlike expensive blood tests, which can only
    >identify a few drugs, roadside sobriety tests can detect any kind of drug
    >impairment that might hurt driving. People who've had too many
    >antihistamines can't drive well. Roadside sobriety tests would keep them
    >off the road. A blood test would let them drive on by.

    >Don't be a dummy. Insist on roadside sobriety tests instead of expensive,
    >misleading blood tests.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Chan Marshall was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Marshall's father, Charlie, is a blues musician and itinerant pianist.[1] Her childhood involved much upheaval, with Marshall living throughout the Southern United States (Greensboro, North Carolina; Bartlett, Tennessee; and Georgia and South Carolina), back and forth between parents and her grandmother. In interviews she has openly discussed her childhood and stated that the constant traveling prepared her for the touring life of a professional musician.

    ReplyDelete
  65. http://dagobah.net/flash/in1997.swf

    ReplyDelete
  66. Come to decide that the things that I tried
    Were in my life just to get high on
    When I sit alone come get a little known
    But I need more than myself this time

    Step from the road to the sea to the sky
    And I do believe it, we rely on
    When I lay it on come get to play it on
    All my life to sacrifice

    Refrain:
    Hey oh, listen what I say, oh
    I got your hey oh, now listen what I say, oh

    When will I know that I really can't go
    To the well once more time to decide on
    When it's killing me, when will I really see
    All that I need to look inside

    Come to believe that I better not leave
    Before I get my chance to ride
    When it's killing me, what do I really need
    All that I need to look inside

    Refrain:
    Hey oh, listen what I say, oh
    Come back and hey oh, look at what I say, oh

    Stick:
    The more I see, the less I know
    The more I like to let it go
    Hey oh, whoa

    Deep beneath the cover of another perfect wonder
    Where it's so white as snow
    Privately divided by a world so undecided
    And there's nowhere to go

    In between the cover of another perfect wonder
    And it's so white as snow
    Running to the field where all my tracks will be concealed
    And there's nowhere to go

    When to descend to amend for a friend
    All the channels that have broken down
    Now you bring it up, I'm gonna ring it up
    Just to hear you sing it out

    Step from the road to the sea to the sky
    And I do believe what we rely on
    When I lay it on, come get to play it on
    All my life to sacrifice

    Refrain:
    Hey oh, listen what I say, oh
    I got your hey oh, listen what I say, oh

    Stick:
    The more I see, the less I know
    The more I like to let it go
    Hey oh, whoa

    Deep beneath the cover of another perfect wonder
    Where it's so white as snow
    Privately divided by a world so undecided
    And there's nowhere to go

    In between the cover of another perfect wonder
    Where it's so white as snow
    Running through the field where all my tracks will be concealed
    And there's nowhere to go

    I said hey, hey yeah, oh yeah, tell my Love now
    Hey, hey yeah, oh yeah, tell my Love now
    Deep beneath the cover of another perfect wonder
    Where it's so white as snow

    Privately divided by a world so undecided
    And there's nowhere to go
    Deep beneath the cover of another perfect wonder
    Where it's so white as snow

    Running through the field where all my tracks will be concealed
    And there's nowhere to go
    I said hey, oh yeah, oh yeah, tell my love now
    Hey, hey yeah, oh yeah

    ReplyDelete
  67. i think the song Firework by Katy perry shows this.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
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