Dead Poets Society Transcendentalism Analysis

Throughout the movie, Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating teaches his students in an incredibly unorthodox manner which is frowned upon by the Welton Academy faculty. The Welton Academy follows a strict curriculum of teaching in order to prepare the students for college. Instead, Mr. Keating prepares his students for life, teaching them many transcendental ideas and beliefs. He is, at heart, a transcendentalist, because he incorporates several ideas of Thoreau and Emerson into his class, as well as many core, important transcendental values and beliefs.
One of the main themes that Mr. Keating embodies and attempts to impart onto his students is the importance of individuality. In his classes, Mr. Keating always tries to teach students that they
Keating knows is true is that children are most impressionable, and have not yet become conformist because of society, still having the potential to become freethinkers. In Self-Reliance, Emerson said, “Their [children] mind being whole, their eye is as yet unconquered.” Mr. Keating came back to “Hellton” because he knows that it would be the best way to be able to influence children with the ideas of transcendentalism so that they can become freethinkers and individuals.
Brotherhood is also a main transcendental principle that Mr. Keating embodies and attempts to teach to his students. Not only does he know about brotherhood from being in the Dead Poets Society himself, but he also tries to connect with his students, creating a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie between himself and them as well. He does so by engaging the students in several transcendental lessons and activities. His success in this endeavor is shown when all the students carry him off the field over their heads during a game of soccer that they were
Keating’s transcendentalist teaching style and mannerisms are important to the boys because they now feel that they can figure out their purpose in life, express themselves, and live the way that they want to live. Neil Perry figures out what he wants to do in life, which is the opposite of what his dad forces him to do. He finally feels complete when acting in the play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and does so because of all the inspiration that Mr. Keating gives him. Despite his tragic death, he still figured out what his truth was from Mr. Keating’s teaching before dying. Todd Anderson starts as a shy, anti-social boy, but turns into an expressive person by the end of the movie. Several of Mr. Keating’s lessons and classes have had a major influence in finding out who he is and how to express his opinions as well as stand up to authority as an individual. He defies Mr. Nolan and shows how he feels about Mr. Keating all in one fell swoop when Mr. Keating is leaving the school. Knox Overstreet is able to take chances and “seize the day” because of Mr. Keating. Without all his teachings, Knox would never have been able to call Chris or ask her to see the play if Mr. Keating had not taught him to seize the day. Ultimately, Mr. Keating accomplished his goal as a teacher in teaching the boys how to live their lives the transcendental