Neil Perry In Dead Poet's Society

Transcendentalism can be defined as, “a philosophy which says that thought and spiritual things are more real than ordinary human experience and material things”; accordingly, the behaviors of the character Neil Perry, from Dead Poets Society, connects in countless ways. Perhaps the biggest way Neil relates to the tenets of Transcendentalism is in the belief that, “major inspirations included nature and intuition”. For instance, Neil Perry is sent to a top-ranking educational institute by two hard-working parents that hope to give Neil the chance that neither of them had had as young adult. Thus, with Neil’s persistent and stubborn father dictating what his future career should be, Neil always assumed he would become a Physician. However, at this school, Neil is taught that he should not allow others to dictate his future; instead, he should live the life that he dreams of (Dead Poets Society).

And for the first time, I’m gonna do it!” (Dead Poets Society) referring to the fact that he wants to be an actor, not a Physician. A famous poet and Transcendentalist once said, “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string” (Emerson 246) referring to the tenet that inspirations can be found in intuition with no real understanding of why, but a complete understanding of accepting it as fate. While Neil does not know where his desire to act came from, he accepts it without question and performs. Neil Perry relates to Transcendentalism in many ways; the biggest connection being that he accepts his desire to act over his planned future; however, Neil fails to understand the tenet that “the individual is