Individualism and Dead Poets Society

Richard Lemerise
Honors English III
Ms. Bazinet
Dead Poets Society and Walt Whitman

Individualism is a great thing and should be celebrated by all.  Walt Whitman’s masterpiece Leaves of Grass changed the style of American literature.  His world renowned anthology of poems changed the way people think.  Whitman’s values and messages greatly influenced the film Dead Poets Society.  Throughout his life, he produced one major work, Leaves of Grass.  Throughout all of his poems, particularly “Song of Myself”, he honors and celebrates the individual.  In the film Dead Poet Society, Mr. Keating, a new teacher at Welton Academy, brings to the school the messages given by Whitman in Leaves of Grass.
“Song of Myself”, a poem in Leaves of Grass, focuses particularly on the individual.  Through repetition, Whitman portrays many scenes of many different lives.  “The conductor beats time for the band and all the performers follow him, The child is baptized — the convert is making the first professions,” (Whitman)  He says that he represents and writes for each individual.
On the first day at school, Mr. Keating tells his students to be powerful individuals.  Individualism was lacking at Welton Academy.  All students were conformists.  Mr. Nolan did not encourage individualism.  Not even the teachers would defy his authority.  That is why problems come about when Mr. Keating, a non-conformist individual, began to teach and spread his ideas.
Neil Perry, a student at Welton Academy, has a passion for acting.  He is, however, too afraid of going against his father’s wishes.  When aware of his conformist behavior, Mr. Keating tells him to be himself and join the play.  Mr. Keating encourages him to honor himself as an individual.
Mr. Keating also brings to the school the idea of the Dead Poets Society.  The Dead Poets Society is a secret club where poetry is recited by club members.  This club, however, is forbidden at Welton Academy.  The boys decide to act as non-conformists and defy the authority.  They sneak out often to have club meetings.
Walt Whitman’s only work throughout his entire life, Leaves of Grass, revolved around the idea of individualism.  He encouraged people to honor and celebrate each individual.  This idea greatly influenced the film Dead Poets Society.  Mr. Keating brings Whitman’s ideas to Welton Academy’s conformist students.  All in all, Whitman’s ideas played a great role in Dead Poets Society.

John Proctor – The epitome of a husband, a citizen, a friend, and a man

John Proctor is different compared to the average citizen of Salem.  Salem’s community revolved around religion for the most part.  John Proctor, however, is not a fully committed Christian.  He seldom practices religion.  When the witchcraft fiasco came about in Salem, a nonpracticing Christian would be a prime suspect.  John Proctor’s weaknesses and strengths serve as both pros and cons throughout the play “The Crucible.”
John Proctor is thought of as an honest man in Salem.  Even though he may not be as religiously involved as his neighbors, Proctor is a “respected and even feared” man in Salem.  “He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct.”  Proctor’s lack of religious concern is a great downfall.  Fortunately, how the people of Salem feel about him leads to the great amount of support that he receives during the witch hunt and trials.
As a husband, Proctor plays his role well.  When given the opportunity to confess, he takes it.  Given he is an honest man, he does have trouble deciding what to do.  He feels the need to discuss it with his wife.  When agreeing on a false confession to save his life, he feels guilty.  “My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man.”
John Proctor is very true to himself.  After signing the confession, he refuses to let it be placed on the church door.  He does not want his reputation in Salem ruined.  “Because it is my name!  Because I cannot have another in my life… How may I live without my name?  I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
John Proctor, being an honest man and a dedicated husband, also served as a trustworthy friend.  When he is asked to give his friends’ names to the court, he refuses.  “I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another… I have no tongue for it.”  Unlike the others who were tried and confessed, Proctor is loyal.  He refused to give away the names of people involved in witchery.
John Proctor is the epitome of a husband, a citizen, a friend, and a man.  One would know him as the honest and respectable man in town.  He cares for his family.  His family was put before his pride.  He retained his dignity when tried for witchcraft.  John Proctor is an iconic character in American literature.

My Life In a Nutshell

Firstly, my name is Richard.  The most important thing to me is French.  I have juvenile diabetes.  I am very picky with movies.  I am gay.

Since I’ve started learning French, I’ve been obsessed.  I think in French.  The music that I jam to… is French.  I watch movies in French.  The majority of the books in my room are French.  peut-être je l’adore. juste un peu:)

I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes last year.  It sucked.  It completely changed my life, however.

I am gay.  Because of this, I am severely pestered by religion and close-minded people.  liberals ftw:)

I really don’t like movies.  I think that most movies today are beyond cliché, predictable, and poorly directed.  My favorite movie is Brideshead Revisited.

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