Social Reform in Transcendentalism
Social Reform in Transcendentalism
The Transcendentalists weren't just out for religion: they were social and political rebels. They believed that society, as it stood, needed some serious retooling. Treatment of women? Appalling. Slavery? Get rid of it. Conformism? Yep, that's part of the problem too.
Let's get specific: some of the most famous Transcendentalists, like Henry David Thoreau, were committed abolitionists who wrote, lectured, and campaigned against slavery. Way to go, bros.
As for women's rights, this was another big issue the Transcendentalists liked to make noise about. Margaret Fuller, a writer who was also one of the leading Transcendentalists, wrote about the subjugation of women and fought for women's rights. Can't miss, sis.
Chew on This
As we say, Henry David Thoreau was big on social reform. He believed that if our government doesn't act justly, we should disobey it. Most of us have probably heard tell of his whole "Civil Disobedience" schtick.
And oh boy, if you think Henry Davey didn't practice what he preached, think again. Thoreau's beliefs in social reform and civil disobedience landed him in jail because of his protest against slavery. He gets deep on that injustice in quote #3 right here.