The 1950’s were a time of stifling discipline and tradition, and where non-conformity generally led to ostracism. In this time period, parents expected children to be unwaveringly subordinate, and students faced similar treatment. Society saw individuality as nothing more than a flaw. The film Dead Poets Society, directed by Peter Weir, gives viewers insight of the issues faced by youth during this era. Poetry, as an abstract humanity, juxtaposes the rigid authority present in Welton Academy, the fictional prep school setting. Of all the poems present in the film, Walt Whitman’s “O Me! O Life!” best exemplifies the primary themes of Dead Poets Society.
The setting of Dead Poets Society is a perfect representation of the 1950’s lifestyle, with …show more content…
Oh Life!” is mortality and the purpose of life. Both Mr. Keating and Walt Whitman profess the purpose of life is to stand out from the crowd and leave a legacy. As Keating tells his students, “Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, 'Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.' Don't be resigned to that. Break out!” (Citation help needed). He encourages them to march to the beat of their own drum in the face of a society of conformity. He invites them to, “Seize the day… [and] make your lives extraordinary. Similarly, Walt Whitman declares the purpose of life is to leave a legacy. He writes that the purpose of life is, “That you are here—that life exists and identity, / That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse” (Whitman 10-11). Whitman urges readers to contribute to existence, to leave their mark and prove their life affects all other lives. This is the very thing Keating encourages the boys to do when he tells them to “carpe diem” – he encourages them to be bold and different, and to make an impact on existence. Mr. Keating invites his students to consider their contributions, rhetorically asking them at the end of a lesson, “What will your verse be?” (citation)
The setting of Dead Poets Society is a perfect representation of the 1950’s lifestyle, with …show more content…
Oh Life!” is mortality and the purpose of life. Both Mr. Keating and Walt Whitman profess the purpose of life is to stand out from the crowd and leave a legacy. As Keating tells his students, “Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, 'Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.' Don't be resigned to that. Break out!” (Citation help needed). He encourages them to march to the beat of their own drum in the face of a society of conformity. He invites them to, “Seize the day… [and] make your lives extraordinary. Similarly, Walt Whitman declares the purpose of life is to leave a legacy. He writes that the purpose of life is, “That you are here—that life exists and identity, / That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse” (Whitman 10-11). Whitman urges readers to contribute to existence, to leave their mark and prove their life affects all other lives. This is the very thing Keating encourages the boys to do when he tells them to “carpe diem” – he encourages them to be bold and different, and to make an impact on existence. Mr. Keating invites his students to consider their contributions, rhetorically asking them at the end of a lesson, “What will your verse be?” (citation)