Transcendentalism - Bringing Our Ideas Together

Our unit on Transcendentalism is coming to a close.  You may be wondering what that word means, since we haven't really talked about it.  What we wave been working with for the past four weeks (or so) is a look at a range of texts:

• Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance"
• Henry David Thoreau's Walden
• Henry David Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience"
• Into the Wild (d. Sean Penn, 2007)

Along with that, we've worked with ideas from these texts in a wide range of formats, including:

• Individual work in packets, including focused attention on specific chapters ("Higher Laws" and "Conclusion" - both returned to you)
• Personal writing while spending time in nature (you kept this packet)
• Group work on sections of Walden (posted on the blog)
• Small group projects connecting ideas from "Civil Disobedience" to examples of similar actions across history and around the world, as well as right here in the USA (submitted to me - posted in the classroom today)
• Mini-speeches making personal connections to Thoreau's principles (you received feedback on yours)
• Individual writing about "Self-Reliance" in connection with an articulation of our own values (on Google Drive)
• Fishbowl discussions about Walden 
• Notebook pass written discussion about "Self-Reliance"

We will start today with a discussion about the film, based around questions you raise and these:

• What can you learn about yourself when you are away from distractions and alone? Do you look for opportunities to get away?
  
• Christopher got rid of all savings and destroyed his IDs. What are some of the implications of doing this?
  
• What are some material items in your life you could definitely do without?
  
• Chris carved into the wood, “No longer to be poisoned by civilization, he flees and walks along the land to become lost
  in the wild.” Do you ever feel that civilization “poisons” you?
  
• If so, what ways does civilization “poison” us?
  
• Christopher gave himself a new name, Alexander Supertramp. Have you ever wanted to change your name and if so, why?
  
• What are some decisions you saw Christopher make which you could consider unsafe?
  
• What was the best way you saw Christopher use an unlikely resource in this movie?
  
• We find out Christopher’s father had a child from a previous marriage, along with other family issues he kept from his family. How do family secrets like this hurt children?
• Do you have anyone in your family who seems to view the world much differently than you do? What do your interactions with them look like?
• Do you ever feel like you are the person in your family who is different than everyone else? What is hard about being in that position?
  
• Throughout Christopher’s journey, he met and befriended several people. How would you react if someone like
  Christopher appeared in your life out of nowhere? Would you welcome him? What questions would you ask him?

• Do you ever wish your life was drastically different than it currently is? Why or why not? How far would you go to change it?
  
• What influence does society/your peers have on how you live your life?
  
• Christopher appreciates the beauty of the wilderness and nature throughout his journey. When was the last time you did the same? What was it like to get away from your normal surroundings and experience something different?
  
• What are some societal things currently going on in our world that frustrate you?
  
• Christopher kills and cleans a large moose for food. Have you ever been hunting? If so, was it exciting to hunt an animal? What was the worst part?
  
• What lessons does Christopher learn from the older gentleman (Mr. Franz) who he befriends? What does Mr. Franz learn from Christopher?
• Christopher meets people along the way which teach him many life lessons. Who is someone you randomly met
  that unexpectedly taught you something about life?
  
• He was very persistent with his goal of reaching Alaska. Have you ever had a goal everyone said you wouldn’t be
  able to accomplish? Did you accomplish it? How did it feel?
  
• Was he prepared for the Alaskan wilderness? How could have he been better prepared?
  
• When Chris discovers he’s eaten the wrong plant, what went through his mind?
• After evaluating what you’ve seen, would you consider Christopher wise, stupid, or both? Why? 
• ** In what ways do Chris's thoughts and actions align with the idea of Thoreau and Emerson?  In what ways does he go against them?

Here is a link to the full assignment: Transcendentalism In-Class Essay