Numerous consequences will take place for the characters in the Dead Poet’s Society if they decide to follow non-conformist ideals.Mr. Keating, the teacher, runs his English class in an unconventional, effective way.He is trying to break free from the stagnant methods used at the private school.One day, he takes his class outside for some fresh air and to “prove a point” in a lesson.The boys, of course, love it.The headmaster, Mr. Nolan, does not approve.He approaches Mr. Keating, and tells him to conform to the original teaching methods, thinking he has had a negative effect on the boys.Mr. Keating, trying to defend his style, pronounces “I always thought the idea of education was to learn to think for yourself.”The stern headmaster responds “At these boys age, not on your life” (Schulman).In other words, if Mr. Keating dares to be non-conformist and teach the boys to do the same, he will get fired.This clearly demonstrates the cost of diversity in “The Dead Poets Society”.
The headmaster calls the whole school into the auditorium to discuss the existence Dead Poets Society.He wants the club to disperse immediately.One of the boys pretends to answer a call, and declares it is God telling the headmaster to accept girls to the school.This boy gets taken into his office, and before receiving a brutal paddling, Mr. Nolan says, “…you think you’re the first person to try to get thrown out of this school, think again. Others have had similar notions and have failed just as surely as you will fail” (Schulman). Surely, by this, he means that any attempt to change school policy will get him kicked out.The price of non-conformism for boys in this very strict institution is expulsion.
Decorating and wearing the "transcendentalist" shirt was an interesting experience. Throughout the day, I recieved comments such as "what are you doing?" and most frequently, "what are you wearing?". I responded with "It's who I am", and then went on to explain the assignment. Some loved the idea: a few people even said "That's what I would have put!", referring to my love of vegetables, old movies, or yoga. Through these comments, I realized I am not completely alone in my hobbies or intertests. Others, though, cast me strange looks when I told them about the purpose of it. Though I did get mixed responses, my peers generally reacted positively to the shirt. Overall, I thought it was fun and shed some light on who is more open-minded at South and who isn't. More importantly, though, I definitely felt comfortable in my own skin while sporting my "transcendentalist" attire!
P.S. I will add a picture of my shirt when it comes out of the wash
My mom is undoubtedly a transcendentalist.I could go on for pages and list all the ways she adheres to the philosophies promoted by Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.She is a definite individual!
My mother is one of the only people I know who truly does not care what others think.At Maire Elementary, where she teaches kindergarten, she is infamous for her winter coat.When wearing this, she acquires the name “Nanook.”My mom does resemble an Eskimo.Full length, dull brown, with a fake suede western style top, this coat is possibly one of the ugliest items of clothing I’ve ever seen.Even when it was purchased in 1987 (not exactly the height of fashion), it was considered unstylish.Nevertheless, she proudly sports this item of winter wear on the brutally cold days when she is unlucky enough to have recess duty.It makes her happy by keeping her warm, and to her, that’s all that matters.This is an example of her doing things for herself, and ignoring other’s opinions. I’m sure she would wear it in public too- if only I let her.
Transcendentalists, such as Thoreau and Emerson, strongly advocated the idea of being a nonconformist.They thought people should adhere to their personal beliefs, and not let external forces influence them.My mom definitely marches to the beat of her own drum.She has had the same cell phone since 2003.Despite my constant efforts to convince her to be more “hip” and “modern” and invest in a new device, she refuses.This is not because she is stuck in her ways, but simply because she feels her phone suits her personal needs.My mom wants to be able to communicate efficiently, and nothing else.She respects and admires the recent technological advances made, but knows fancy gadgets just aren’t for her.Despite the abundance of commercials, billboard, newspaper, and magazine adds advertising sleek and shiny new phones, she does not give in to societal pressures for the mere sake of fitting in.By doing this, she is staying true to herself:the very essence of transcendentalism.
Henry David Thoreau, in 1845, wanted to delve deeper into the meaning of life and focus on his writing.To do this, he retreated to a remote location: a humble cottage nestled in a forest, called Walden Pond.During this time, he evaluated himself, others, and society.In his book, Walden, he discusses some important aspects of human nature, and what people should strive for in their life. He learned the importance of conscious living, in which one makes enlightened, well thought out decisions. These kinds of decisions would be easier to make if one embraced simplicity.People’s lives are overly-complicated due to too many engagements and a surplus of material things. He learned at Walden Pond that living with the bare minimum results in a clearer head.Thoreau’s time spent at Walden Pond proved to be valuable in many ways.It taught the importance of intentional living and living simply.
In the chapter “Where I lived, and What I Lived for”, Thoreau focuses on a variety of themes.One of the main ones, though, is the idea of intentional living.“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor” (Thoreau 490).In this quote, Thoreau exhibits optimism about human nature.He is acknowledging the ability of a person to, thorough good deeds, improve their life.Thoreau stresses, though, that this must be done mindfully, meaning people must be in touch with themselves.Thoreau had many purposes for retreating to Walden Pond, one of them being that he wanted to free himself from the influence of others, so he could gain greater knowledge of himself.At the Pond, he concluded that when one makes thoughtful decisions free of external forces, good things usually come.He recognizes that mankind can undoubtedly do this, but must live with intention.Though Thoreau believed this should be done by spiritually, in modern-day context, it could mean simply paying close attention to oneself and one’s life.When a person does that, they will be more aware and do the right thing, thus bettering themself.Conscious living, which Thoreau practices extensively at Walden, should be applied by everyone.He also states it is easier to live this way when one’s life is not cluttered with excess stuff.
The significance of simplicity is a reoccurring idea in Thoreau’s Walden.In trying to prove its importance, he writes, “Our life is like a German Confederacy, made up of petty states, with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that even a German cannot tell you how it is bounded at any moment” (Thoreau 491).At the time of Thoreau’s Walden, the German Confederacy was constantly in flux, with its borders unclear.In this simile, he is comparing people’s lives to that.The Confederacy, in the mid 19th century, was divided up into 39 states.Thoreau believed that people’s lives, like the Confederacy, are too complex.Over ambition causes people to take on too many tasks.Frazzled and overworked, they become disconnected and divided within themselves.In the remote woods, his concerns were few.He walked, cooked, and wrote.Living at Walden, Thoreau realized that clarity comes with living an uncomplicated life.In his book, Walden, he wasn’t really suggesting that everyone should live in the woods.He was simply encouraging people to free themselves from unimportant distractions.This is especially relevant in this day and age, when society is attached to technology like never before. Today, the application of his ideas formed at Walden Pond could prove beneficial.Limiting commitments and use of technology would allow people to be more in touch with themselves.
Walden Pond offers insight into the nature of mankind: Thoreau assesses the value of living simply and consciously. Therefore, the two years he spent there was worthwhile. His ideas discovered at Walden Pond applied to people back then, and definitely pertains to today as well. More than ever, society is obsessed with stimulation.Whether acquired from material things such as phones and computers or an overflowing schedule, it causes stress. Limiting these in one’s life would result in a more calm and balanced being, which would lead to better choices.All around, Henry David Thoreau’s Walden gives information for people on how to improve their way of life.
