Ralph Waldo Emerson is known as the father of Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement based on feelings rather than logic, it is a movement for nonconformists and unique thinkers. The main ideas of transcendentalism are individualism, intuition, imagination, idealism and inspiration. When Emerson created the movement in the nineteenth century he was a well-known writer and is still a prominent figure in American literature today. Christopher McCandless was also a transcendentalist. He left everything he had to go on a great trip to Alaska. Unfortunately during his journey something went wrong and he died of uncertain causes. McCandless is also the protagonist of the nonfiction novel, Into the Wild, which Jon Krakauer wrote about McCandless' life. Emerson and McCandless show similarities with each other such as transcendental thinking, their individuality, and their life goal of seeking their own identity. Emerson is known as the father of transcendentalism because he was the founder of the movement. His writings appealed to both intellectuals and the general public, even though his new ideas were difficult for most of society to understand. Emerson's entire life journey has been transcendental. He constantly thought outside the norms of society. Emerson once said, "He who would be a man must be a nonconformist" (Emerson). Emerson means that to be a real man you cannot conform to what society wants you to be. Society tends to want everyone to think the same and do what they are told to do. A man cannot go around following others and without thinking of himself. McCandless was also a follower of transcendentalism. He read the works of transcendental authors who thought similarly to them. On his Alaskan... in the center of the paper... of Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood” (Emerson). Works Cited Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Self-sufficiency". Ralph Waldo Emerson-Lyrics. Ed. Jones Lewis. Jones Johnson Lewis, 2001. Web. April 22, 2014. Krakauer, Jon. In the wild nature. New York: Anchor, 1997. Print. Stewart, Ruari. “Christopher McCandless aka Alexander Supertramp.” Chris McCandless Now I walk in the wilderness. Np, 2011. Web. April 21, 2014. “Ralph Waldo Emerson.” PB works. Ed. Jenny Sindon. PB Works, 2009. Web. 17 April 2014 “Ralph Waldo Emerson-Quotes”. Quotations by Ralph Waldo Emerson (author of Self-Reliance and Other Essays). Goodreads, 2014. Web. April 16, 2014. “Ralph Waldo Emerson-Quotes.” Ralph Waldo Emerson-Quotes. Ed. Jones J. Lewis. The Transcendentalists. Network. April 15. 2014