Transcendentalism In Dead Poet's Society

Equality is right to be motivated by curiosity. Yearning for the answers to his constant questions are what motivates his creativity and discovery. The constant curiosity is what leads him to dissect animals, melt metals, mix acids, and rediscover electricity. His individuality motivates him to do what he wants even though it is not allowed by society. He knows that he is quicker minded than the rest of his brothers, “It was not that the learning was too hard….

Mentioning Gandhi, and stating his thought son the best ways peacefully cause change. This is showing the audience that Chavez realizes that these men have proved their methods the best, and he doesn't want to change them just try to use them for the benefit of the people. “ The boycott, as Gandhi taught, is the most nearly perfect instrument of nonviolent change, allowing masses of people to participate actively in a cause”. This quote really does work so well because of the organization that is used by Chavez to convey Gandhi’s message. If Chavez had not eased this very power quotes into is writing, they would not have been hear the same way.

Some people are filled with an insatiable desire to learn. In “Anthem” by Ayn Rand, the main character, Equality 7-2521, wants nothing more than to study the Science of Things and become a Scholar. Although this is forbidden for a Street Sweeper like him, he does research in isolation. He wants to join the Scholars because he is intelligent, inquisitive, and always driven to learn about the way things around him work.

He has a passion for doing the unthinkable and unimaginable driven by an unstoppable force and does not obsess over what others thought of him or his actions. Society today could use more people similar to Equality, but it would have its strengths and weaknesses. Some benefits include more leaders, confident actions,

For example, Neil loved words and acting. Neil quoted poetry and felt poetry was the highest form of creativity. At the beginning of every Dead Poets meeting, Neil would recite the following: “I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life” (Leonard). This quote from Henry David Thoreau, the father of Transcendentalism, was a true testament to the type of person Neil was.

Martin Luther King Jr has stated, “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” This means that people can make a difference without harming anyone and can make a difference without being hurt. Also that nonviolence is more powerful than just brute force, people can stop or “cut” injustice easier. Martin Luther King Jr’s words inspired a generation and allowed these groups and people to use this metaphor as their own strategy of change.

One of the biggest rewards that an individual can gain and appreciate is the reward of learning life lessons as they apply it to their lives to fine other’s opinions of them and make people value them as a whole. Perhaps the biggest expression of this in an individual is Odysseus from Homer’s novel, The Odyssey. Odysseus is a strong minded, independent hero who doesn’t acknowledge the assistance that others can bring which, in turn, jeopardizes others as is clearly evident in his boastful comment, “I say cyclops! If ever any one asks who put out your ugly eye, tell him your blinder was Odysseus, conqueror of Troy, son of Laërtês, whose address is in Ithaca!”(110). In Greek mythology, belief in the gods and their importance became an essential

 Neil went against the will of his father and was willing to be disowned.  Although his plan resulted in much fighting and ultimately Neil’s suicide, he was able to experience his dream that he achieved himself.   "When you read, don 't just consider what the author thinks, consider what you think." says Mr. Keating (Weir, 1989).  

The Jurors were not very open to hearing every detail that Juror Eight gave to prove the boy’s innocence. He had a positive attitude that was not changing at all; he stood up for the boy even if the boy did murder his father. Juror Eight did not wait for others to defend the kid, he stood up and started the process. Bernard Roth, a Stanford professor and author of The Achievement Habit writes, “You can sit around in the dark waiting for the light to come on, or you can get up walk across the room, and flip the switch yourself” (Roth 105). This quote ties in with Twelve Angry Men because Roth is saying that a person can wait for something to happen on its own, or they can get up and do something about it.

Although Piggy has warned the boys of this possible occurrence, they laugh at him and brush off his theory as they commonly do. Piggy’s logical explanations are taught to the boys, but they won’t understand his words because his intellect overpowers the other boys. On the island, Piggy is quite vocal during the meetings, criticizing the boys’ actions. A situation when this occurs is during a meeting and he announces to the boys, “‘That’s what I said! I said about our meetings and things

The United States, it is often thought, was born in rebellion. This is the story reinforced by the Declaration of Independence, and it’s the story promoted by the first elected officials of this country. America has been a nation of protestors -- be it protest against Britain, “savages,” heathens, police, abortion, racism, or taxes -- since its inception. According to the early 19th century Transcendentalists, however, the greatest battle before Americans is the battle for one’s very soul. Dean Grodzins is a Harvard-educated historian, and a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Historical Society specializing in mid-19th century American history.

Ever since its creation, the United States of America has given people the opportunity to speak and practice their own philosophies and religion. As a prime example, transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that gained followers during 1836-1860 that encouraged social reform, self-transformation, and people to rise above their immediate experiences. Developed by Ralph Waldo Emerson and lived by Henry David Thoreau, the essence of transcendentalism was to live life with simplicity and to elevate intuition and imagination over logical reasoning. However in today’s society, true transcendentalism is irrelevant and cannot be practiced.

Acceptance and originality are keys to prosperity. In the novel O Pioneers! by Willa Cather, the protagonist Alexandra thrives in what seems to be a hopeless situation due to her strong beliefs. Alexandra has the beliefs of a transcendentalist. Transcendentalists rely on intuition.