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The works of Henry David Thoreau clearly show his belief in
transcendentalism. The dictionary defines transcendentalism as any system of
philosophy emphasizing the intuitive and spiritual above the empirical and material. "Walden", a story that describes Thoreau's experiences while living on Walden Pond, emphasizes the importance of individuality and self-reliance. Thoreau's essay, "Civil Disobedience", advocates the importance of prioritizing one's principles over the laws of the government. It also criticizes the American social institutions and polices. In both literary works, Thoreau incorporates multiple illustrations of transcendentalism.
The story of "Walden" begins with the narrator explaining that during his two year stay at Walden Pond he was spiritually enriched. Walden Pond provided the narrator with the opportunity to view society from the outside and observe that most men lead
their lives in desperation. Thoreau believed that men wasted their lives by chasing......

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Approximate Word Count: 1058
Approximate Pages: 5 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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