Examples Of Transcendentalism In Dead Poets Society

Numerous examples of Thoreau’s idea of Transcendentalism are demonstrated in the eternally evoked classic, Dead Poets Society. Transcendentalism is a philosophical belief centered around the idea of free thinking. Throughout the years, this idea has been followed by some of the most famous philosophers including: Ralph Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman. In addition to nonconformity, several other beliefs are tied to transcendentalism. For example, transcendentalists believe society and any organized institutions corrupt an individual’s purity. Therefor, an individual is at its best when independent and self- reliant. Transcendentalists come from many background religions, however, they agree spirituality is important for “pure

life”. Although they believe society was wasting the world purity, the writings of the transcendentalists are rather optimistic. Destiny is a large view of this philosophy. It is believed the events that arise during one’s life is purely based on how “good” that certain person is during their time on earth.

For example, a charitable, warm and caring individual is be more likely to have jubilant events take place during their life rather than a mean spirited, grouch. Although very few people call themselves “transcendentalists” today, many transcendental views make their way to the big screen and are important ideas behind many major motion pictures.

Many forever loved films have multiple examples of transcendentalism, including the popular Dead Poets Society. This movie follows the lonely and painfully shy teenager, Todd Anderson, who attends the Welton Academy for boys. This semester, the academy has hired a new english professor, Mr. Keating, who puts many of the transcendental beliefs into actions. His liberal and proactive teaching style does not conform with the traditional Welton professor and is exemplified when Keating asks the boys to tear out several pages of their textbook on the first day of class. When Mr. Keating asks the boys to tear out the pages, he is aware of the consequences the administration would uphold if they found out he was not teaching to their standards. This exemplifies Keating’s desire to be a nonconformist and individuality. Neil Parry’s suicide for

instance illustrates the consequences that can happen when someone’s individual thoughts and feelings are disregarded.

A very important idea behind transcendentalism is free thinking and not letting others dictate how one should live their life. When the boys hear of a secret club, Dead Poet Society, whom Keating was once a part of, they are eager to join. Assembling this club would require the boys to sneak out of the academy late at night, conjoin in a cave and “let [the poems] drip from [their] mouths like honey” (Dead Poets Society). Civil disobedience is one of Thoreau’s major ideologies about transcendentalism. When Knox becomes obsessed with Chris, a girl he has never actually met, he ends up risking his life to win her heart. Disobeying his friends when they tell him to stay away from Chis since she has a boyfriend gets Knox in a great deal of trouble. In addition, transcendentalism also put a large emphasis on experiencing nature first hand and appreciating its true beauty. By gathering in the cave the boys are becoming one with nature and connecting with poetry on a deeper level. When Knox takes his bike ride and flies down the mountain, he closes his eyes and absorbs all of nature

has to offer with its purity and beauty. Furthermore, a classmate of Todd’s, Charlie Dalton, has a rather significant change during the film, giving his new found personality the identity of “Nuwanda”. Breaking free of the common expectations and ideologies of most of those in his school required him to pay a hefty price for his actions in defense of Mr Keating. At heart, he kept to his new identity and the viewers are left with the feeling that he has become a better man from his actions. Like Charlie, Todd also has a realization with himself. He learns that he is far more capable and confident in himself at the end of the film. He doesn’t hide in the over-achieving shadow his Ivy League brother has left for him since leaving Welton. Additionally, one of Thoreau's Transcendentalist belief is human beings must act upon their conscience, even if it comes at the cost of being alone. Mr. Keating is the greatest example of acting on conscience, rather than conforming. When Neil came to Keating looking for advice if he should act in his lead role play after deliberately being told by his father he should not, Keating tells him to continue with the play. If word got out Keating told Neil to disobey his father, he could possibly lose his job. Acting upon conscience is also witnessed when Todd's standing on his desk reciting "O Captain, My Captain" to Mr. Keating over the headmaster's objection.