Transcendentalists like Thoreau and Emerson realized the need to directly experience life in order to achieve a fulfilled life. Focusing on optimism, non-conformity and passive civil disobedience Thoreau and Emerson set a universal example for many generations after them. Many people take after them in non-conformity, optimism and passive civil disobedience as the way to really live a fulfilled original life that is not conformed to societies universal beliefs or traditions. It is obvious that their influence was a great one seeing as how the three examples above are among the many examples of people today exercising the transcendental belief. And as Thoreau said, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer”. Perhaps this is true. If living our own lives shouldn’t we all hear different drummers? ...
