Beginning of Essay
is the belief that man should reject the material world and concentrate on the simple things in life. expresses the idea that man should be his own person. The basic principles of are individualism and self-reliance. also inspired a back to nature movement ....

Middle of Essay
.... not what is popular, but what really matters to himself. Thoreau asserts that, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions - perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer” (Thoreau). Thoreau is saying that just because a man does not conform to society, it does not mean he is weird; he is an individual. Transcendentalism emphasizes the fact that man should be his own individual and rely only on himself. Emerson states, “Society every where is in conspiracy against the manhood of everyone of its members” (Emerson). This maxim means that society tries to conform man, taking away his ability to be his own individual and to think f ....