Romanticism In Dead Poets Society

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Recommended: Walden, Henry David Thoreau, critical analysis

Nature and Nurture The art of living simply, being one with yourself and nature- romanticism. In the reading, “Walden”, by Thoreau, he describes how he lived in nature for two years. In “Self Reliance” Emerson mentions the importance of your life and the thoughts you think. Dead Poets Society, directed by Peter Weir, is a combination of all of the romantic philosophies. Mr. Keating is a believer of the romantic state of mind. Keating and Emerson both had the romantic philosophy of celebrating the spirit of the individual. In “Self Reliance”, Emerson writes, “No law can be sacred to me than that of my own nature” (Emerson 21). In this simple phrase, he is saying that no matter what, he will continue to stay true to himself. Emerson is a believer …show more content…

Keating both show the romantic philosophy of a value of emotions. Thoreau writes in “Walden”, “Love your life, poor as it may be” (Thoreau 200). What Thoreau meant by that was whatever you have, you should enjoy it. Even though it might not be everything, you still had what you need, and that is the point of romanticism. In Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating wanted the boys to dig deep when they were in his class- in life even (Weir). Again, Keating did not want the boys to be average. In his class they were able to express themselves without judgement most of the time. Mr. Keating made that an important factor in his class since they were looking into themselves for answers. Another time that Mr. Keating showed a value of emotions in his class is when Todd was put on the spot, making a poem from scratch. Todd was terrified because he thought that he would make himself look less than. Keating made Todd pull out a response even though he did not want to in the first place. He had Todd make this thing- this figure up and it ended up being some of his fears. Mr. Keating wanted Todd’s emotions to be heard even though he was a quiet student. Mr. Keating valued his students’ emotions in his

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