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Henry David Thoreau and Individualism Although Romanticism varied from one group or individual to another, certain characteristics were common to most aspects of the movement. Some of these common characteristics were individualism, rejection of rules of art forms, emotional expression, imagination rather than reason, and expression of the sublime or peaceful aspects of nature. Additional commonalities were some of the things Romanticists opposed such as empiricism, mechanization, mathematical thinking, dehumanization, and increased materialism. Individualism is …

…to pay a poll-tax to a government with which he viewed as corrupt are examples of his fierce independence and individuality. Thoreau is a stellar example of what individuality can produce. A worthy goal is to make the effort to devote oneself to thought and work, to in fact nurture ones own individuality, rather than becoming lost in the mainstream of life. This will allow greater individuality and diversity to complement our current day society.