Mr. Keating's Use Of Transcendental Values In Dead Poets Society

In the film Dead Poets Society, the pillars at Welton Academy reflect more conservative values compared to the nonconformity values represented by transcendentalism; they not only discourage singularity, but make it a crime for any student to exercise an individualistic form of consciousness. With his encouragement throughout each lesson, the students are able to “think for [them]selves again,” as they take the road less traveled by, finding their own direction (Dead Poets Society). In the film, Mr. Keating, with his individualistic teaching style, encourages his students to put into practice the overall transcendentalistic way of thinking but most importantly an individualistic way of looking at life. While Keating is not their savior, he does enable his students to undergo a journey of self discovery. Keating allows the students to find the savior within themselves and thereby be free from the acquiescence that society has created through transcendental values of individualism and nonconformity.

With this impending question on their minds, the process of fulfillment of the true meaning of carpe diem begins, for although it means to seize the day, who is one to say it does not also mean it is their day to seize, to make the most of that day? The impact of his lesson is prevalent throughout the film, as the boys undergo character development and embrace the individualistic meaning of carpe diem. This is most notably in Neil’s “carpe diem” moment where he tries out for the play even against his father’s wishes (Dead Poets