Transcendentalism In Dead Poets Society, Directed By Henry David Thoreau

Everybody grows at different paces. No two people on this earth will share the exact same opinions as one another. The pressures of society should not rush people through their pursuit of finding themselves. One’s own experiences in life will determine how and when they will grow. As Henry David Thoreau states, “It is not important that he should mature as soon as an apple tree or an oak” (Thoreau). The apple tree and the oak are both beautiful things. Two very different people can both achieve a beautiful life. Society shall not dictate who you shall become and how fast you shall achieve such goals.

Transcendentalists in the 1830s challenged society’s normality. They broke stereotypes and began not depending their actions according to others. Director Peter Weir and Author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote about transcendentalist’s ideals of education to rebel against commonly accepted behavior. Transecdiliasts assured and trusted themselves that the outcome is for the better. Similarly, in the film, Dead Poets Society, Mr. John Keating teaches an English class navigating the class through the uncertainties of life. The boys in Keating's class, discover themselves and begin to live life focusing on their passions. “Self- Reliance,” is an essay about expressing your individualism and overcoming the social expectations in life. Together they both share the fundamental virtues that to a live successful life with no regrets, one must trust their self-identity and carpe diem.

“Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness” (370). In Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson, it is shown that each person must make their own decisions in life and learn to think for themselves. The individual must form his or her own opinions on what is good and bad; following society solely because that is expected is no way to go through life. This idea is an integral aspect of Transcendentalism. Beginning in 1836, Transcendentalism was a movement that emphasized the importance of individuality and nature. There were several main authors who wrote during this movement, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, and Walt Whitman. Although not written during the nineteenth century, another work that demonstrates transcendentalist ideals is the film Dead Poets Society, directed by Peter Weir. The film is set in 1959 at Welton Academy, a strict boarding school for boys centered around the principles of tradition, excellence, honor, and discipline. When a new English teacher, Mr. Keating, arrives, he inspires his students to think for themselves through his lessons on poetry. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s idea of thinking for oneself and reaching one’s own conclusions is a profound theme in Self-Reliance, as well as in Dead Poets Society, best show by Mr. Keating’s

This essay assignment is very similar to some of the ideas discussed in class. All that was talked about for days was the basic principle of individuality and nonconformity, and according to Dead Poets Society, that pretty much sums up what writing consists of. That seems to be why the class is writing this, to complete the whole lesson on uniqueness. In general, transcendentalists seem to be very inspirational toward anyone who ventures to read their work. As in the words of Emerson, “To great is to be misunderstood” (Emerson 370). This quote is the main idea of transcendentalism. After reading many pieces from this movement and watching the movie Dead Poets Society, I have found there to be many occurrences within the movie that

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words describe what many people aspire to be. This idea of nonconformity is one of the main pillars of Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism is one of the main themes in the movie Dead Poets Society directed by Peter Weir. Many characters in the movie display Transcendental ideas. However, it is very difficult with the pressures of society. While Neil’s character in Dead Poets Society initially displays aspects of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Transcendentalist ideas from Self-Reliance, eventually he fails to continue his Transcendental endeavors proving that while Transcendentalism is possible, society ultimately causes many to conform.

“This world is but a canvas for our imagination.” This quote from Henry Thoreau, writer of Walden, is just a glimpse in the possibility of what we can do with our lives. In the Dead Poets Society, many of the students exert certain traits of transcendentalism. Transcendentalism is the progressive ideology that divinity fuses into nature and humanity, and that to progress we need this moral divinity inside ourselves and to find that purity. Dead Poets Society demonstrates Nonconformity, Spark of Divinity, and Respect for Nature, which all are traits of transcendentalism.

Henry David Thoreau was born and lived his life in Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau had always been an intelligent student and eventually began his study at Harvard University and graduated at the top of his class despite having to drop out on several occasions due to his financial struggles. Around the time when Thoreau was graduating,  America had been experiencing an economic depression resulting in the loss of jobs of many and work became harder to find. But because Henry Thoreau was a Harvard graduate, the best fit field for someone like him was teaching. For a short period, he began teaching at a local public school. He along with his brother John, began working in the family pencil making business. Their pencils were considered to be

Pursuing the Dream Blending in is easy. Breaking the mold is the hard part. In Dead Poets’ Society, John Keating, the new teacher, tells the students to read the rules to write poems. When they come back with the poems they’re told to rip the rules out of their notebooks. He tries to show them to find their uniqueness and not to conform to society’s rules.

In the film Dead Poets Society directed by Peter Weir, the young boys go out of their way to use the teachings of Carpe Diem and philosophies of Transcendentalism in their daily lives. Knox Overstreet, brought to life by Josh Charles, builds up confidence as he studies the ideas of Carpe Diem. On one of the very first nights, Knox is sent to pay a visit to his parent’s family friend, the Danburry family. A young, beautiful answers the door to find Knox taken back by her stunning looks.

Transcendentalism, in response to enlightenment, was the redefinition and introduction of the ideas of self-dependence and spiritual guidance. Alongside these points, the complexity of our relationship with nature was explicitly explained, and the importance of stable morals was expounded. Transcendentalists, mainly led by Emerson and Thoreau, who were the literary leaders of that time, introduced a new way of thinking that implored the world around them to get in touch with their core and their sense of right and wrong. These writers, creators, doers, and thinkers knew where they stood, and had no fear of speaking their beliefs. Through their movement, transcendentalists re-wrote the rules of societal submission and worked to change the

Transcendentalism was a literary and philosophical movement in the mid to late 1800s. It was associated with a small but active group of educators, activists, and religious leaders including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, and Henry David Thoreau. The amount of people influenced by transcendentalism today continues to increase. In fact, many of the core values and beliefs of the transcendentist movement still affect American cultural and political views.

Walden was not only a tremendous example of transcendentalism because the author himself was a transcendentalist, but because the entire book was surrounded by the theme of nature; a major topic idea under transcendentalism that studies the ideas of oneself. Walden was a fiction book based on Henry David Thoreau’s trip to Walden Park, where he wanted to experience a real sense of transcendentalism. His transcendentalism was mostly focused on the aspects of nature and how every detail and idea, fact and idea of nature can be applied to oneself.

Dead Poets’ Society is a great film. Not only does it touch a watchers heart, but it is a great film to portray what Transcendentalism is about. The film has many characters and groups with Transcendentalist beliefs that act upon their ideals. The whole film portrays Transcendentalist ideas, belief, and actions. The largest icon of Transcendentalism is Mr. Keating, the English teacher.

Religion and politics are perhaps the most important topics of discussion, and paradoxically, the ones least discussed. Our differences cause us to shy away from such depth in our conversations with others and it is a remarkable human being who can share her opinion honestly on the subjects, and even more so, transcend the current popular opinions of the time. Henry David Thoreau was a man such as this. He spoke out against an unjust society and challenged the comforts and distractions that society has become so accustomed to. He preached simplicity in daily life and peace in protest. His words of wisdom have influenced many great leaders since. Thoreau’s call for social reform, individualistic

Dead poet’s society was filmed through the eyes of transcendentalism using Emerson’s philosophy, as seen in walden. The film deals with a group of young men who attend a very strict boarding school and the english teacher who gives them a new perspective on everything, the damaging effects of conformity, beautiful sense of nature, and emphasis of simplicity and individuality are shown in many elements throughout Dead Poet’s Society and are ultimately highlighted by emerson and thoreau’s philosophies, making the overall concept of transcendentalism understood. _________