Dead poets society walt whitman. Walt Whitman ‘more important now than ever’ Walt Whitman more important now : News Center 2022-10-30

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 film directed by Peter Weir and starring Robin Williams as John Keating, a charismatic and unconventional English teacher at a prestigious all-boys prep school. The film explores themes of nonconformity, individualism, and the power of literature and poetry to inspire and transform. One poet who plays a significant role in the film is Walt Whitman, whose work is celebrated and revered by Keating and his students.

Whitman was an American poet, journalist, and essayist whose poetry collections, Leaves of Grass and Drum-Taps, are considered some of the greatest works of American literature. Born in 1819 in New York, Whitman was a pioneer of the free verse style of poetry, which rejected traditional poetic forms and meter in favor of a more natural, flowing style. His poetry is known for its celebration of the self and the individual, as well as its depiction of the beauty and diversity of American life.

In Dead Poets Society, Keating introduces his students to Whitman's poetry as a way of encouraging them to think for themselves and to embrace their own unique voices and perspectives. Keating encourages his students to "make your lives extraordinary" and to "seize the day," using Whitman's poetry as a way to inspire them to do so. One of the most memorable scenes in the film is when Keating leads his students in a recitation of Whitman's "Oh Me! Oh Life!" in which they exalt in the beauty and mystery of life.

Whitman's poetry is a perfect fit for the themes of Dead Poets Society, as it encourages readers to embrace their own individuality and to celebrate the wonders of life. His work speaks to the need for nonconformity and the importance of standing up for one's own beliefs, values, and dreams. By introducing his students to Whitman's poetry, Keating hopes to inspire them to live their lives to the fullest and to find their own unique path in the world.

In conclusion, Walt Whitman is an integral part of the Dead Poets Society film, as his poetry speaks to the themes of nonconformity, individualism, and the power of literature to inspire and transform. Through the film's celebration of Whitman's work, viewers are encouraged to embrace their own unique voices and to live their lives to the fullest.