COVE

The Dial was the first public Journal written by the New England transcendentalists from 1840 to 1844. Many famous writers contributed to the succession of this journal such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore Parker, David Thoreau, and Frederic Henry Hedge. At this time those who followed the transcendentalist movement were known as the “Hedge’s Club”, named after Frederic Henry Hedge, since he led many transcendentalist councils when he was in Boston. Members of this club were often considered “earthy” people as they advocated for others to appreciate the natural occurrences of the world. The purpose of The Dial was to introduce the idea that an ideal society does exist if humans unify rather than compete with each other. The transcendentalist movement became widespread because of this simple idea. Americans wanted to live in peace, and writers like Emerson and Thoreau explained how achievable that is through their publications. Emerson was a primary editor of The Dial and often spoke to other scholars about his writings. With this, Emerson announced his meaning behind naming this journal during one of his first interviews following the publication of The Dial, “And so with diligent hands and good intent, we set down our Dial on the earth. We wish it may resemble that instrument in its celebrated happiness, that of measuring no hours but those of sunshine” (Walden).

            The Dial had many publications other than journal entries, such as variations of American poetry, short stories, and scholarly discussions. Among the previously listed editors, Margaret Fuller was also extremely responsible for the popularity of this journal as she gave honest critiques to her colleagues (Mass Moments). At this time Women were still suffering immensely from suffrage and did not possess the same rights that white men had. Fuller’s voice was heard by many and provoked other women to join in on societal conversation.

Works Cited

“The Dial: A Magazine for Literature, Philosophy, and Religion.” The Walden Woods Project, www.walden.org/what-we-do/library/thoreaus-contributions-to-the-dial/. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Howe, Daniel. “Margaret Fuller.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 25 May 2021, plato.stanford.edu/entries/fuller-margaret/#TranPlat.

“Transcendental Club.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Oct. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_Club#:~:text=Originally%2C%20the%20group%20went%20by,and%20not%20by%20its%20participants.

“Transcendentalists Publish the Dial.” Native American Writer Born, 2010, www.massmoments.org/moment-details/transcendentalists-publish-the-dial.html.