Part 1: Analyze the views of nature expressed by Emerson and Thoreau in this week’s readings. Then compare and contrast them to one another. You might also want to apply these themes of nature to overall thought of the Transcendentalists as a genre or discipline.

INSTRUCTIONS: Each initial post should be approximately 300 words in length. Both Part 1 and Part 2 should be posted in the same response. It MUST include MLA citations – both in-text and end citations from the attached readings.

Please read each of the following selections:

A. Ralph Waldo Emerson: Author bio p.250-252 “Ode to Beauty” p. 253- 255, and “Waldeinsamkeit” p. 256-257  
B. Henry David Thoreau: Author bio p. 270-271, ” Walden Visitors” and “Walden Former Inhabitants” p. 272- 279, “Winter Visitors” p. 272-279, and the very influential and inspiring “Civil Disobedience” p. 289-303

Part 1: Analyze the views of nature expressed by Emerson and Thoreau in this week’s readings. Then compare and contrast them to one another. You might also want to apply these themes of nature to overall thought of the Transcendentalists as a genre or discipline.

Part 2: What does Thoreau think of his contemporaries in “Civil Disobedience”? What in particular bothers him about them? Is there any societal expectation, convention, or behavior that you feel you would like to rebel against? Why?