Meghan Harriman
American Lit. Before 1865
Mrs. Gailey
16 October 2012

The Influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson is a man who is widely known to have influenced and changed American literature. From the beginning Emerson separated himself from other authors is his diverse style of writing that is seen in his book Nature and other essays and poems. Many believe that Emerson was the most inspirational figure that made his essays also made with the most optimism and confidence that draws in American’s support and Europe’s. I believe that he shaped American literature into what it is today. Without him and his influences on Transcendentalism and American literature I do not think that individualism would have taken place. I believe that he did transform the 19th century for the better. Before the 19th century American literature was some say to be bland and boring. Not many authors were well known because they did not intrigue their readers. Before the 19th there was Unitarianism which is the belief in one God and not three, it also is not Christian. Transcendentalism took over Unitarianism and that was when Emerson came into play. Emerson believed in individualism, non-conformity, and the harmony between man and nature. He never intended to be known as a philosopher but emerged as one though his most popular writing. Nature is about Emerson describing his Transcendental philosophy. Transcendentalism, being focused on nature, god in nature, and belief of the over-soul is the main beliefs. “To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society. I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me. But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds, will separate between him and what he touches. One might think the atmosphere was made transparent with