106 Transcendentalism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the United States in the early 19th century. It emphasizes the idea of the individual's inherent goodness and connection to nature, and encourages self-reliance, intuition, and the pursuit of truth and beauty.

If you're studying transcendentalism in your literature or philosophy class, or if you're just interested in exploring its ideas further, you may be looking for essay topics to help you delve deeper into this fascinating movement. To help you get started, here are 106 transcendentalism essay topic ideas and examples.

1. Compare and contrast the beliefs of transcendentalism with those of traditional religious teachings.

2. Analyze the role of nature in the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

3. Discuss how the concept of self-reliance is portrayed in Henry David Thoreau's "Walden."

4. Explore the influence of transcendentalism on the Civil Rights Movement.

5. Examine the relationship between transcendentalism and environmentalism.

6. Discuss the impact of transcendentalism on American literature.

7. Compare and contrast the ideas of transcendentalism and Romanticism.

8. Analyze the role of intuition in transcendentalist philosophy.

9. Discuss the importance of individualism in transcendentalist thought.

10. Explore the concept of the "oversoul" in the writings of Emerson and Thoreau.

11. Discuss the influence of Eastern philosophy on transcendentalism.

12. Analyze the role of women in transcendentalist literature.

13. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the Transcendental Club.

14. Discuss the role of the individual in society according to transcendentalist beliefs.

15. Analyze the influence of transcendentalism on modern-day self-help movements.

16. Explore the concept of "divine spark" in transcendentalist philosophy.

17. Discuss the importance of simplicity in transcendentalist thought.

18. Analyze the role of the individual's relationship to society in the writings of Emerson and Thoreau.

19. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on the Beat Generation.

20. Explore the role of nonconformity in transcendentalist philosophy.

21. Analyze the impact of transcendentalism on American politics.

22. Discuss the concept of the "transparent eyeball" in Emerson's writing.

23. Explore the influence of transcendentalism on the feminist movement.

24. Discuss the relationship between transcendentalism and the concept of the sublime.

25. Analyze the role of solitude in the writings of Thoreau.

26. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on the counterculture movement of the 1960s.

27. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of the "hero's journey."

28. Analyze the role of intuition in decision-making according to transcendentalist philosophy.

29. Discuss the importance of nature in the writings of Margaret Fuller.

30. Explore the influence of transcendentalism on modern-day environmental activism.

31. Analyze the role of the individual in shaping society according to transcendentalist beliefs.

32. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American education.

33. Explore the concept of "soul-making" in transcendentalist philosophy.

34. Analyze the role of the artist in society according to transcendentalist thought.

35. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American architecture.

36. Explore the role of the unconscious in transcendentalist philosophy.

37. Analyze the influence of transcendentalism on American music.

38. Discuss the concept of the "divine within" in transcendentalist philosophy.

39. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of the "journey of self-discovery."

40. Analyze the role of simplicity in the writings of Emerson and Thoreau.

41. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American spirituality.

42. Explore the concept of "cosmic consciousness" in transcendentalist philosophy.

43. Analyze the role of the individual in shaping history according to transcendentalist beliefs.

44. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American art.

45. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of "flow."

46. Analyze the role of creativity in transcendentalist philosophy.

47. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American architecture.

48. Explore the concept of "soul-making" in transcendentalist philosophy.

49. Analyze the role of the artist in society according to transcendentalist thought.

50. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American music.

51. Analyze the role of the unconscious in transcendentalist philosophy.

52. Discuss the concept of the "divine within" in transcendentalist philosophy.

53. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of the "journey of self-discovery."

54. Analyze the role of simplicity in the writings of Emerson and Thoreau.

55. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American spirituality.

56. Explore the concept of "cosmic consciousness" in transcendentalist philosophy.

57. Analyze the role of the individual in shaping history according to transcendentalist beliefs.

58. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American art.

59. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of "flow."

60. Analyze the role of creativity in transcendentalist philosophy.

61. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American architecture.

62. Explore the concept of "soul-making" in transcendentalist philosophy.

63. Analyze the role of the artist in society according to transcendentalist thought.

64. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American music.

65. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of the "divine spark."

66. Analyze the role of the unconscious in transcendentalist philosophy.

67. Discuss the concept of the "divine within" in transcendentalist philosophy.

68. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of the "hero's journey."

69. Analyze the role of simplicity in the writings of Emerson and Thoreau.

70. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American spirituality.

71. Explore the concept of "cosmic consciousness" in transcendentalist philosophy.

72. Analyze the role of the individual in shaping history according to transcendentalist beliefs.

73. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American art.

74. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of "flow."

75. Analyze the role of creativity in transcendentalist philosophy.

76. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American architecture.

77. Explore the concept of "soul-making" in transcendentalist philosophy.

78. Analyze the role of the artist in society according to transcendentalist thought.

79. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American music.

80. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of the "divine spark."

81. Analyze the role of the unconscious in transcendentalist philosophy.

82. Discuss the concept of the "divine within" in transcendentalist philosophy.

83. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of the "journey of self-discovery."

84. Analyze the role of simplicity in the writings of Emerson and Thoreau.

85. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American spirituality.

86. Explore the concept of "cosmic consciousness" in transcendentalist philosophy.

87. Analyze the role of the individual in shaping history according to transcendentalist beliefs.

88. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American art.

89. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of "flow."

90. Analyze the role of creativity in transcendentalist philosophy.

91. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American architecture.

92. Explore the concept of "soul-making" in transcendentalist philosophy.

93. Analyze the role of the artist in society according to transcendentalist thought.

94. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American music.

95. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of the "hero's journey."

96. Analyze the role of the unconscious in transcendentalist philosophy.

97. Discuss the concept of the "divine within" in transcendentalist philosophy.

98. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of the "divine spark."

99. Analyze the role of simplicity in the writings of Emerson and Thoreau.

100. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American spirituality.

101. Explore the concept of "cosmic consciousness" in transcendentalist philosophy.

102. Analyze the role of the individual in shaping history according to transcendentalist beliefs.

103. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American art.

104. Explore the connection between transcendentalism and the concept of "flow."

105. Analyze the role of creativity in transcendentalist philosophy.

106. Discuss the influence of transcendentalism on American architecture.

In conclusion, transcendentalism is a rich and complex philosophical and literary movement that has had a profound impact on American culture and thought. By exploring these transcendentalism essay topics and examples, you can deepen your understanding of this fascinating movement and its relevance to contemporary issues and ideas. Whether you're writing a paper for school or simply interested in learning more about transcendentalism, these topics can help guide your exploration and analysis.