What were Emerson and Thoreau's views on nature, the individual and conformity.

These sites will help you with that question.

http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/home/ecotran.html

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/Thoreau-Emerson-and-Transcendentalism-Emerson-s-Nature-Synopsis.id-134,pageNum-39.html

what are 2 examples of don't judge a book by its cover in sonnet 130

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were both influential American writers and thinkers in the 19th century who played significant roles in the transcendentalist movement. While they held similar views on many subjects, including their deep appreciation for nature and emphasis on the importance of the individual, they differed in their attitudes toward conformity. Let's delve into their individual viewpoints in more detail.

Emerson's perspective on nature was rooted in the belief that nature is a manifestation of the divine. He saw it as a source of spiritual and moral inspiration, urging individuals to develop a deep connection with the natural world. According to Emerson, nature's beauty and grandeur could awaken one's spiritual and creative potential, leading to a more fulfilling life.

In terms of the individual, Emerson celebrated self-reliance and independence. He believed that each person possesses a unique and valuable inner essence that should be embraced and expressed fully. Emerson encouraged individuals to trust their own intuition and explore their own truths, rather than conforming to societal expectations. He believed that conformity stifled personal growth and denied people the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Thoreau, heavily influenced by Emerson's ideas, shared a similar reverence for nature. However, Thoreau approached it from a more practical and experiential perspective. He sought a deep connection with nature by living deliberately and simplifying his life. Thoreau famously spent two years, two months, and two days living in a cabin by Walden Pond, where he sought solitude and immersed himself in the rhythms of nature. Thoreau viewed nature as a teacher and sought to learn from its simplicity, honesty, and harmony.

While Thoreau also stressed the importance of the individual, his views on conformity were more confrontational. He believed that conformity was destructive to one's individuality and, by extension, to society as a whole. Thoreau famously wrote in his essay "Civil Disobedience" about the need to resist unjust laws and to not blindly follow a government that went against one's conscience. He saw conformity as a form of submission that allowed oppression and injustice to persist.

In summary, both Emerson and Thoreau shared a profound appreciation for nature and the individual. They believed in the transformative power of nature and encouraged individuals to seek truth and meaning in their own lives. While Emerson emphasized the importance of self-reliance and avoiding conformity, Thoreau took a more confrontational stance against conformity, urging individuals to actively resist societal norms that contradicted their own moral compass. By exploring their writings and ideas further, you can gain a deeper understanding of their nuanced perspectives on nature, the individual, and conformity.