Dead Poets Society Transcendentalism

Throughout the 19th century, many writers emerged who strongly urged people to do what they pleased, be individuals, live simply, and experience life to its fullest potential. These writers, including Emerson, Whitman and Thoreau, believed in an enlightened way of life and spiritual being. Many of these writers ideals are presented throughout the film, “Dead Poets Society,” directed by Peter Weir that was produced years after these Transcendentalists lived. This film takes place at Welton Academy, an all boys school that encompasses beliefs revolving around tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence. The plot follows the lives of a group of close friends, Neil Perry, Todd Anderson, Knox Overstreet, Charlie Dalton, Steven Minks, and Richard …show more content…
Keating’s guidance through the concepts of Whitman and Emerson, Todd is able to considerably develop as a character throughout the film. At the beginning of “Dead Poets Society,” Todd is portrayed as a very reserved character who does not talk much. He had major problems when forced to talk to people of authority such as professors at Welton and even his parents. Specifically, answering questions when called on in class was a struggle for him. Until Mr. Keating pushed Todd to find his own voice, like Whitman suggests in his poem “I Hear America Singing,” when he says, “Each singing what belongs to her, and to none else.” In order to encourage Todd to step out of his comfort zone, Mr. Keating provides an assignment for each student in his class to write their own poem to be read aloud to the rest of the class. When Mr. Keating calls on Todd to read his, and Todd says he has not prepared a poem for class, Mr. Keating does not give up on Todd. Instead, he calls him up in front of the class and pushes him to make a poem on the spot about a barbaric madman. At first, Todd is skeptical, but through Mr. Keating’s encouraging words, Todd is able to construct a poem and speak out in front of his classmates. This is the first time in the movie that Mr. Keating is able to help Todd through the use of transcendental ideals. The second time transcendental ideas are used in Todd’s life is after Neil dies when Todd goes out into nature. Considering the fact …show more content…
Keating, he consciously makes an anti transcendental decision that proves Mr. Keating’s lessons were not successful with him. When the film first starts, Neil is perceived by the audience as a boy who is well liked and knows what he wants out in life. When Mr. Keating is assigned to teach at the school, the impact on Neil seems to prevail. Neil brings back a club known as the Dead Poets Society, one that was around when Mr. Keating attended Welton Academy as a young boy. This club was designed to help the boys learn to “suck all the marrow out of life,” a notion Thoreau strongly advocated for. He urged his readers to live life to the fullest and experience as much as possible. When Mr. Keating tells the boys about this club, he is essentially telling them to do the same with their lives, and live every moment with great enthusiasm. Many of the boys, especially Neil, take this to heart and push to bring back the club and mean to live life as the club intended them to, live with passion. Later in the film, when the opportunity to be in the play presents itself, Neil is eager to audition. When his father finds out he got the lead role, he tells Neil he has no other option but to quit the play because he is too busy with other activities and should not take on any more. Neil makes an attempt to stand up for what he wants, but ultimately is overruled