Transcendentalism

 

Transcendentalism

This blog is a task given by Megha ma'am. Visiting faculty of department of English M.K.B.U. in this blog I am going to discuss what is Transcendentalism ?, and apply my thoughts on any movie or song which is relatable to Transcendentalism.

What is Transcendentalism

Basically Transcendentalism is a philosophy that began in the mid 19th century and whose founding members are Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. This philosophy  centered around the belief that spirituality cannot be achieved through reason and rationalism, but instead through self-reflection and intuition. In other words, we could say that transcendentalists believe spirituality is not something you can explain but it’s something you feel. A transcendentalist would argue that going for a walk in a beautiful place would be a much more spiritual experience than reading a religious text. 

This movement arose as a result of a reaction to Unitarianism as well as the Age of Reason. Both centered on reason as the main source of knowledge, but transcendentalists rejected that notion. 

Transcendentalist have many views and these all fit into three main values- 

1. Individualism

2. Idealism 

3. The divinity of nature

     Eat,pray, and Love

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia is a 2006 memoir by American author Elizabeth Gilbert. The film version, in which star cast Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, was released in theaters on August 13, 2010.

The movie "Eat, Pray, Love" is a perfect example of how Transcendentalism is portrayed in popular culture. The main character of the movie is  Liz Gilbert, she is embarking on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, seeking to find meaning and happiness in her life. Through her travels to Italy, India, and Bali, she learns to appreciate the simple pleasures of life and the beauty of nature, and comes to a greater understanding of herself and the world around her.

The major themes of this movie are self-discovery, individualism, and the search for spiritual truth are also central to Transcendentalism. Liz's journey reflects the Transcendentalist idea that true happiness and understanding can only be found through individual exploration and introspection, rather than through external sources such as religion or material wealth.

The main character of the movie or we can say the protagonist of the movie Liz Gilbert is a successful journalist. She had an eight-year marriage  life which is sweet and nicely going on but vocationally wayward Stephen  has broken up but he doesn't want to get a divorce. Then Liz begins an affair with David who is  a handsome actor and he  is a devotee of a woman guru in India. Liz feels a mixture of regret and guilt when she examines the unsatisfying dimensions of both relationships. She senses that part of the problem with both men is her controlling nature. Or is it that she too easily lets herself be consumed by a relationship? Liz is like many of us who feel inadequate to the high standards set for a meaningful love relationship. Liz will come across as a whiny and self-absorbed woman.

In conclusion, "Eat, Pray, Love" is a powerful example of the influence of Transcendentalism in popular culture, and the continued relevance of its central ideas in modern society.