Examples Of Transcendentalism In Dead Poets Society

The movie, Dead Poet Society, was a very well made movie. The film was about teenage boys that are inspired by their teacher, Mr. Keating, who makes them think for themselves, and find their own way in society. This film has many different ideals of transcendentalism including non-conformity, excelling, and open mindedness. One of the most prominent aspects of transcendentalism in Dead Poet Society is non-conformity. In “Self-reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, whom is a transcendentalist author, he converses about conformity. According to Emerson, conformity takes away a person's individualism. This quote from Emerson’s “Self Reliance” explains his thoughts on conformity, “Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members…. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs” (Emerson Self-Reliance). This quote reveals that according to Emerson, conforming is the worst thing about society because it takes
In the words of Emerson “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds…. [you should] [s]peak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day. — 'Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood.' — Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood?” This means that have your opinion and back it up, but do not be stubborn and not change your mind when the facts show that you are wrong. Todd Anderson is a great example of open-mindedness. He was in the Dead Poet Society even though he was shy. He accepted the ideals and the way they did things even though he was not sure at first. At the beginning of the movie Todd did not have a poem to give in front of class but by the end he was the strong and open one who stood up for Mr. Keating