Transcendentalism In Dead Poets Society

In Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating, the English teacher, begins to teach in ways that involve the beliefs of Transcendentalism like “spontaneity over planning” or “individual over society”. One particular student connects to these concepts exceptionally well and begins to change his life to match what he believes to be the tenets of Transcendentalism. While the student, Neil Perry, does understand the concept of inspirations coming from unknown sources like for instance his desire to be an actor. He fails to realize that an individual’s desires should have more of an influence than the people around them. But perhaps the biggest lesson that should be taken from the idea of Transcendentalism is the reality that the individual always has complete