by Josh Peffer

Created on: December 16, 2009

“I celebrate myself and sing myself,” (Whitman, 332).  In this quote by Walt Whitman, he shows himself to be a transcendentalist by using self-reliance.  Transcendentalism is an idea that came about in the early 19th century.  Thoreau, Emerson, and Fuller are considered some of the very first supporters of these ideals.  In poem one of “Song of Myself,” we see Whitman is a transcendentalist by his examples of self-reliance, nature, simplicity, and optimism.

            By using self-reliance, Whitman advocates transcendentalist ideals in “Song of Myself.”  “And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”  Whitman shows that “I” and “Me” are the most significant parts of life, through this quote. “Hoping to cease not to death” Whitman shows his desire to live and not die.  He desires to live life to its fullest extent.

            Likewise, Whitman says, “Creeds and schools in abeyance” showing his likeness of simplicity.  Abeyance, meaning temporarily inactive, of creeds and schools, exemplifies the idea of simplicity and self-reliance.  Being temporarily inactive of the cares or “creeds” of life is a very transcendentalist ideal.

            Nature, as a conduit of higher trust, is an essential part of transcendentalism.  In “Song of Myself’ Whitman uses nature as a springboard for meditation.  He “invites his soul” or contemplates life by “observing a spear of summer grass.” Such a simple action is not meaningless, for as Emerson writes, through observing nature, “the currents of the universal circulate through me.”  Whitman’s need to use a product of nature to further know his soul is truly a transcendentalist idea.

            Similarly, Whitman declares that he still puts his “creeds and schools” in the background of his consciousness, in order to let nature, “Speak at every hazard,” with “original energy.”  The rejection of rationalism, or “creeds and schools” is a fundamental part of transcendentalism.  Furthermore, Whitman chooses to listen to nature speaking as part of his desire to “invite his soul.” Clearly, Whitman’s writings are influenced by the philosophy of Emerson and Thoreau.

            In addition to the ideas of nature, simplicity, and self-reliance, Whitman shows he is a true supporter of transcendentalist ideals by reflecting optimism.  Optimism, according to the transcendentalist view, is the belief in the common man or looking for the good in humanity.  In Whitman’s search for meaning, he chooses to “harbor for good” the message he intimates from nature.  The fact that he sees the “good” shows his optimistic nature. 

            Furthermore, the ideals of a true transcendentalist include self-reliance, nature, optimism, and simplicity.  Whitman shows his true self in his poem “Song of Myself” by showing all of these in much detail. “Celebrate myself” exemplifies this.    Whitman truly is a transcendentalist.

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