Transcendentalism In Dead Poets's Society

Nowadays, people are like robots living in a trapped world, where they follow others opinions rather than their own. However, the greatest decision in life is to trust in their own opinion. [hook should highlight why Transcendentalism is important] Transcendentalism, a theory by Emerson, shows the importance of individualism. Moreover, he believed that it is vital for a person to rely on themselves rather than society. In Dead Poet’s Society, the tenants that is present in the film, is self-reliance, where the characters rely on themselves, and self-confidence, which is not being afraid of sharing thoughts to others. [Briefly explain the tenets of Transcendentalism that appeared in the movie] In addition, each character demonstrated Transcendentalism through their actions, which was standing up for what they believe in. [what behaviors and actions] More specially, it had a positive impact towards Todd and Neil. This is because Todd showed self-confidence while Neil described self-reliance.

In the film Dead Poets Society, there is examples of both transcendentalism and anti-transcendentalism. Mr. Keating’s class and teachings and the Dead Poets Society are both very transcendentalist. The school and the parents of many of the students, especially Neil’s, are anti-transcendentalist. Although transcendentalism and anti-transcendentalism are both present in Dead Poets Society, the film is transcendentalist because the transcendentalists are the protagonists and the main focus of the story.

The act of people conforming is seen every where. Any activity performed by someone that is “in the ordinary” is them conforming to the norm. In the crucible, all the girls conform to the norm, set by Abigail Williams. When Abigail faints, the girls faint, when Abigail screams, the girls scream. They mirror her in her every action due to their fear of what would occur if they did not. Same concept is seen today, for example, when you shower regularly you are conforming to the norm. You shower in fear of judgement if you were not to shower, and you shower in following the actions of others. This common action of following in others footsteps affects us by causing people to become identical and influencing people to ignore their personal morals and follow the mob of society blindly. People force physical change upon themselves due to fear of being that one

In the movie “Dead Poets Society”, the idea of transcendentalism is the predominant theme throughout, with a basic message of self-reliance and individualism. Todd Anderson, the awkward and shy sibling of one of Weldon’s valedictorians, is well-liked by others and highly expected of, but he lacks self-assurance and resorts to social isolation. At the end of the movie though, Todd demonstrates that biggest change in character and his development into a transcendentalist is greater than anyone else’s. His newly found transcendentalism views is most predominant near the end of the movie, where Todd leads most of the class to stand up on their desks in homage to their life-altering teacher, Mr. Keating. After Mr. Keating is fired from his position as the English teacher at Weldon, he returns to collect his belongings during the middle of his previous class. Todd, showing a newly rebellious spirit and

Conformity, it’s something everyone deals with, even if they do not realize it. Although, what happens when conformity takes control over everything? What if the world was stripped of individuality, no citizen has any rights to hold on to, while not being able to think for one’s self. That is an image what it would be like if everyone in the world were to conform to a restricting society. Just think of all of the advances in technology the human race has come up with in the last ten years alone. None of that would have been possible in a society where no one can go above another person's IQ level. This is the world the characters in Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem live in. The reasons that total conformity is dangerous is because individuality is not possible, no family history, and advancement would not be possible.

Transcendentalism is artistic movement that values inspiration and individuality, it focuses on shying away from societal conformity, valuing intuition instead of reason and logic. The Dead Poets Society follows the lives of seven high schoolers and their English teacher, Mr. Keating, while they battle the social conformity expected within their prestigious school, versus expressing their individuality and true feelings. With the help of their teacher, Knox and Neil learn to think differently and for themselves for the first time in their lives. In Peter Weir’s Dead Poet society transcendentalist values are depicted through the thoughts, actions and words of Mr. Keating, Charles Dalton, and Knox Overstreet.

In fact, this also applies to the situation of understanding what social conformity is. This subject has been around for centuries, forcing many to behave in a certain way that the society expects. The influence of peer pressure is still a topic has an impact to the world, especially the adolescents. The “[s]ocial psychologists have suggested that one core function of compliance and conformity is to maintain group harmony”(“Social Influence and the Brain:Persuasion, Susceptibility to Influence and Retransmission” Cascio,Scholz,Falk) and this applies to many individuals who value public opinions more than their own. They seek to be “good” people and make an effort to follow the trend of the crowd. More often than not, this also relates to the confidence level of an individual, “If those others agree with one’s beliefs, one gains confidence in them; if they disagree, one loses confidence” (“Conformity,” Levine). This is indeed what many people face today from all different phases of life. Daisy, one of the characters in the book The Great Gatsby, is a perfect example of a person soaked into social conformity. From the beginning of her marriage life with Tom to the end of the book, she progresses into immoral stages of life. Day after day she conforms herself into a world filled with corruptions, such as adultery and murder. Although, she is an adult, she is a character that is stuck in a stage that her age group have already

Transcendentalism is an American literary, political and philosophical movement of the early nineteenth century, centered around Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ideologically speaking, the movement is not simply to define since its philosophical and religious ideas are marked with a certain mysticism, which defies concise explanation. As well, the transcendentalism had been approached and interpretated by its followers in different ways and these differences embroil generalizations about the movement as a whole. Along Ralph Waldo Emerson, other important transcententalists were Henry David Thoreau, Frederic Henry Hedge, Amos Bronson Alcott and Margaret Fuller. Regarding the world from a radical perspective, the transcendentalists found their inspiration

time in my whole life I know what I wanna do [...] Whether my father wants

Conformity is a form of social influence, when we conform we act and think like members of our group. Often people even alter or change their personal beliefs to match those around them. When we conform we feel pressured to fit in with others, to be a part of the majority. While we may still have contradicting beliefs towards things, we change our behaviors and actions to match what everybody else is

Often people feel the need to fall in line with society, dress the same, look the same, and think the same. Everyone should step to the beat of their own drum and be an individualist, be different, be out of the ordinary. Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement of the nineteenth century, focuses on religious renewal, literary innovation, and social transformation (encyclopedia.com). Because of their belief that God exists in everyone and nature and that knowledge comes from individual intuition, led to the highlight of individualism, self-reliance, and breaking free from traditions(). In the movie the Dead Poets Society Mr. Keating “[stands] upon his desk to remind [himself] that we must look at life in different ways”().

Nonconformity is the New Conformity Rules restrain people and hold people back from expressing themselves freely. Transcendentalism was a social movement in New England history that encouraged everyone to find themselves and their spirits. In the movie, Dead Poet’s Society, major characters Charlie and Neil show several transcendental traits that stand out from the strict rules of the school they go to. Charlie shows social reform, and Neil displays human potential. Neil, the class over-achiever, was always confined to strict rules under his father.

Although conformity is the easier choice, you sacrifice your ability to grow as an individual. When you choose to live your life conforming to the social norm you will be forever “...harnessed to a pot of dirt.”. You can only grow so much when all the characteristics that define you are confined to the limitations you are putting on yourself. It is not easy to fight against conformity as once you choose that path, it leeches onto you and forces you to stay. When you submit to conformity you get stuck behind an unbreakable stone that will forever hold you back. The speaker of the poem tells us not to be daunted when you are faced with the obstacle of conformity and you must break, “through the surface of stone.”. Once you do this you will be

If one were to follow the transcendentalist philosophy expressed in the following literatures: Nature, Self Reliance, Walden, and Resistance to Civil Government, then one would have an outcome exuberating positive liveliness. Nonconformity for example is a crucial idea followed by transcendentalists, considering it separates one from other ideas. Furthermore, if one were to conform to other ideas, then one wouldn't be a leader, ”but a follower” (Thoreau 843). To be more specific, an individual under the transcendental view should not receive any influence from society, seeing that “Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members” ( Emerson 535). Meaning, society is against one by enforcing certain views on an individual, resulting in one being further away from the truth one finds through transcendentalism. Having said that, by having one conform to only one’s own ideas, one starts to value “the integrity of our own mind” (Emerson 535). This then contributing to an individual developing a better life, since one can finally live on one's own basis, having the mindset of “What I must do, is all that concerns me, not what the people think” ( Emerson 536).

Transcendentalists believe in the goodness of humanity and nature, and also believed that humans are perfectible. In the movie Dead Poet’s Society, there are several characters that have different personalities, but most likely also have different viewpoints on transcendentalists ideas. These different view can be shown through three characters: Mr. Keating, Todd Anderson, and Mr. Perry.