Transcendentalism What would Henry David Thoreau, a transcendentalist in the 19th century, think if he were to visit our society today? I think Mr. Thoreau would be very disappointed at the lack of simplicity like there was in the 1800's, the lack of bonding with nature, and the fast paced speed at which everything has advanced to. With simplicity being the main transcendentalist idea, Thoreau would greatly criticize such advanced things as, the television or the computer. A transcendentalist would believe in the preservance of earth and to take life slow also. Since the 19th century, society has c