Uncover the legacy of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the pioneer of American transcendentalism and the first truly original voice in American literature. This episode dives into his groundbreaking ideas, timeless essays, and lasting impact on U.S. literary identity.
Hi, I’m Christy Shriver, and we’re here to discuss books that have changed the world and have changed us.
And I’m Garry Shriver, and this is the How to Love Lit Podcast. Today we begin our first of two episodes on Ralph Waldo Emerson, arguably America’s first distinctively American literary voice. He extraordinarily influenced and inspired some of the most notable and productive writers this continent has produced. Some were disciples, others totally rejected and sought to dismantle his ideology, but none of his generation ignored him, and some of America’s greatest writing was produced.
The names of his contemporaries are recognizable heavy hitters in the American canon, names like Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Margaret Fuller, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson. American icons were motivated not only by his ideas, but by his enthusiasm and his energy. He had and still has an uncanny ability to imbue his listeners and/or readers with personal confidence, not in him, but in themselves.
And it wasn’t just writers, or even mostly writers, countless Union Soldiers took Emerson’s essays with them as they packed up to fight the Civil War; they were encouraged by Emerson’s words to fight onward for what was morally right. It is said that leaders as far away as Russia kept his essays on tables next to their beds. For some they have had the authority of Biblical text or Oracles. Philosophers like Nietzsche and William James found inspiration in him. Literally millions from all over the world have put his quotes on decorative walls, bathroom mirrors, and calendars. He’s everywhere- Etsy jewelry, Instagram posts, inspirational candles, if a quote can be stuck on it- Emerson’s in the mix. I’ve heard him quoted in numerous graduation addresses. His optimism is contagious even if his philosophy or theology is complicated, difficult to understand at times and even controversial.
Yes, I have found the best way for most of us to read Emerson is not to get mired in trying to understand all of his philosophical musings- he’s not really an accepted philosopher.
No, he isn’t, and this is ironic, Emerson is an alumni of Harvard University, and today, Emerson Hall holds Harvard’s Department of Philosophy. Now what is ironic about that is Emerson is not an accepted philosopher and he is not taught in any class in the building that carries his name, nor on any college campus as a philosopher, not just Harvard’s.
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