Transcendentalist Project

Grade 11
Dear learners,

You are kindly requested to complete one of the two assignments on transcendentalism and submit it on January
9, 2023.

Assignment 1:

Transcendentalist beliefs did not end in the 1800’s. Over the years, many social and political leaders have been
influenced by these fundamental beliefs. In particular, the music industry has been known for producing works
that were inspired by the teachings of Emerson and Thoreau. Musicians of both past and present have produced
numerous songs reflective of the Transcendentalists’ ways of thinking. Students have identified artists and
songs as being reflective of Transcendentalist thinking. Some of those are listed here:

11. Otis Redding – “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” 1. Dido – “My Life”
12. Louis Armstrong – “What a Wonderful World” 2. Jewel – “Hands”
13. Frank Sinatra – “My Way” 3. Bon Jovi – “It’s My Life”
14. Bob Marley – “Get Up, Stand Up” 4. R. Kelly – “I Believe I Can Fly”
15. Three Dog Night – “Joy to the World” 5. Destiny’s Child – “Survivor”
16. Madonna – “Respect Yourself” 6. Desiree – “You Gotta Be”
17. Mariah Carey – “Hero” 7. Jennifer Lopez – “I’m Real”
18. U2 – “Beautiful Day” 8. En Vogue – “Free Your Mind”
19. Van Halen – “Dreams” 9. Dixie Chicks – “Wide Open Spaces”
20. Creed – “Higher” 10. Lee Ann Womack – “I Hope You Dance”

For this assignment, you are to apply what you have learned about Transcendentalism to these songs. Select a
song from the list. Analyze the lyrics, create a powerpoint presentation, and present it all to the class. Follow
the steps below:

Step 1: Pick a song and obtain a copy of the lyrics. Include the lyrics in one slide.

Step 2: Analyze how the song reflects Transcendentalist thinking. Identify specific traits of Transcendentalism
present in the song and cite specific examples from the lyrics as support. Dedicate one slide for each of the
traits identified in the song.

Step 3: Include visuals. The visuals must depict some aspects of Transcendentalism present in the song.
Include specific lyrics that you are illustrating.

Step 4: Present your work/findings to the class.

Assignment 2: “A Song of Myself” in the style of Walt Whitman

You are to write a free verse poem like Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself in which you declare who you are,
what you believe in and how you see your connection with the larger world. Your poem should be the
following:

 About yourself
 Follow free verse rules
 Include, at least, 4 sections
 They may vary in length, and in style, suitably according to their content
 You may include a “list” stanza.
 You might tell a story in at least one stanza.
 Include some geography.
 You might include some physical features, an autobiographical portrait.
 You might explore some riddles, some questions.
 Provide a title for your poem.

Features of Free Verse

 Free verse poems have no regular meter and rhythm.
 They do not follow a proper rhyme scheme as such; these poems do not have any set rules.
 This type of poem is based on normal pauses and natural rhythmical phrases as compared to the artificial
constraints of normal poetry