Dead Poets Society
by Khailah White, Junior, iPrep Academy
by Khailah White, Junior, iPrep Academy
I, along with the rest of my peers in Ms. Muller’s English 3 Honors class, watched the movie Dead Poets Society (1989) to learn more about the Transcendentalist Movement. As stated in History.com, Transcendentalism was an ideological belief that the individual is more important than the universe and a self-respect for nature. According to “Transcendental Legacy: Transcendentalist Principles from Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman in the film, The Dead Poets Society” from “transcendentalism.tamu.edu”, “Keating embodies most aspects of Transcendentalism, especially those related to individualism (freethinking, self reliance, non-conformity, revolt against tradition and established institutions…).” Mr. Keating teaches his students to embrace their individualism instead of blending in with their peers.
Taking place at the fictional private all-boys boarding school, Welton Academy, the English teacher, Mr. Keating, is a unique teacher, an alumni of Welton, but also, a supporter of the boys' dreams. In fact, one of the poems that Mr. Keating gave to his students on a book list was “A Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. The themes of this poem are shared with Mr. Keating’s teachings of Carpe Diem. According to “A Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Mr. Keating mentions this exact quote in the movie while encouraging the boys to find their own "path" to walk. |
However centered on poetry and individualism, this film raises a serious discussion on mental health, depression, and suicide. One of the main characters, as he begins to find his path in life and what he wants to do, is restricted by the rules of the school and his parents' expectations: They want him to pursue a practical path in medicine. After this boy learns of his passion and realizes what he wants to do in life, his parents adamantly forbid him from pursuing it any further and pull him out of the school. In his final act of defiance, he takes a gun hidden in his father’s study and commits suicide. According to “Suicide and Dead Poets Society” on “socialjusticesolutions.org” the author of this article writes, “He obviously felt this was his only path as his parents did not support his passion.” This character believed that if he could not pursue his passion in life then the only other option was death.
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Ms. Keller shows this movie to her students as well, and she believes that most students thoroughly enjoy this movie. The juniors and seniors who watch this movie are developmentally and emotionally mature enough to handle the two divergent topics: individuality and the dangers of authoritarian parents. A great discussion always ensues and the movie remains a favorite of teachers and students alike for decades!
WORKS CITED
“All The Poems In 'Dead Poets Society.'” TIMES NIE, 26 September 2018, https://toistudent.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/bookmark/all-the-poems-in-dead-poets-society/37876.html.
Brewster, Victoria. “Suicide and Dead Poets Society • SJS.” Social Justice Solutions, 28 October 2014, https://www.socialjusticesolutions.org/2014/10/28/can-learn-dead-poets-society/.
Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost - Poems | Academy of American Poets.” Poets.org, https://poets.org/poem/road-not-taken.
“Life, Death, and “Carpe Diem” Theme in Dead Poets Society.” LitCharts, https://www.litcharts.com/lit/dead-poets-society/themes/life-death-and-carpe-diem.
“Rebellion and Passion Theme in Dead Poets Society.” LitCharts, https://www.litcharts.com/lit/dead-poets-society/themes/rebellionand-passion.
See, Jessica. “Dead Poets Society Movie Summary.” AntiRomantic.com, https://www.antiromantic.com/summary/.
Townsend, Lucy, and Peter Weir. “The real teachers inspired by Dead Poets Society.” BBC, 13 August 2014, https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28756375.
“Transcendentalism - HISTORY.” History.com, 15 November 2017, https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/transcendentalism.
“Transcendental Legacy: Transcendentalist Principles from Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman in the film, The Dead Poets Society.” American Transcendentalism, https://transcendentalism.tamu.edu/sugg.
“All The Poems In 'Dead Poets Society.'” TIMES NIE, 26 September 2018, https://toistudent.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/bookmark/all-the-poems-in-dead-poets-society/37876.html.
Brewster, Victoria. “Suicide and Dead Poets Society • SJS.” Social Justice Solutions, 28 October 2014, https://www.socialjusticesolutions.org/2014/10/28/can-learn-dead-poets-society/.
Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost - Poems | Academy of American Poets.” Poets.org, https://poets.org/poem/road-not-taken.
“Life, Death, and “Carpe Diem” Theme in Dead Poets Society.” LitCharts, https://www.litcharts.com/lit/dead-poets-society/themes/life-death-and-carpe-diem.
“Rebellion and Passion Theme in Dead Poets Society.” LitCharts, https://www.litcharts.com/lit/dead-poets-society/themes/rebellionand-passion.
See, Jessica. “Dead Poets Society Movie Summary.” AntiRomantic.com, https://www.antiromantic.com/summary/.
Townsend, Lucy, and Peter Weir. “The real teachers inspired by Dead Poets Society.” BBC, 13 August 2014, https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28756375.
“Transcendentalism - HISTORY.” History.com, 15 November 2017, https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/transcendentalism.
“Transcendental Legacy: Transcendentalist Principles from Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman in the film, The Dead Poets Society.” American Transcendentalism, https://transcendentalism.tamu.edu/sugg.