Walt Whitman’s Influence in Dead Poets Society

Walt Whitman plays an obvious role in Dead Poets Society. Professor Keating quotes Whitman often to convey his ideas, Whitman’s version of free-thinking is taught by Keating and then used by the boys in Keating’s class at Welton Academy, and Whitman’s knowledge is passed along through the characters. Elements of Whitman’s writing are also displayed through the boys.

Keating’s consistent quoting of Walt Whitman inspire the actions of the boys. Whitman was a romantic, a rebel, a man who found his own course in life; all these qualities are displayed through the boys. Romanticism through Knox Overstreet’s infatuation over Chris, rebelliousness through Charlie Dalton, who goes against Welton’s uptight demeanor and even changes his name to “Nuanda,” and Neil Perry, whose life was planned out for him by his father, follows his own dream and becomes an actor.

Whitman’s influence in Dead Poets Society goes beyond the specifics of the boys in Keating’s class. Whitman wanted an entire generation and future of people to open up their minds and see things for more than just what they appeared to be. In Dead Poets Society Professor Keating has the boys in his class do ordinary things, such as taking a stroll in the courtyard, to “illustrate a point.” The point is something quite Whitman-esque: everyone falls in line eventually, and that you should keep your own “stride” and do what you want to do, not fall into place among everyone else.

Keating acts as a parallel of Walt Whitman as well in Dead Poets Society. Whitman wrote to inspire, and for other reasons, just as Keating taught to inspire his students. When Keating tells everyone in the class to write an original poem, and he knows very well that Todd Anderson is too afraid to speak in front of the class, Keating brings him to the front of the class room and has him create a poem on the spot. Keating helps, or mostly forces, Todd to get over his shyness and his fear of being judged by his classmates and friends. Keating empowers all his students to follow their dreams, be original, to make something of themselves, and, of course, “Carpe diem”, “Seize the day”.

Walt Whitman has influenced literature during and after his lifetime, as well as Dead Poets Society. Whitman’s aesthetics in his writing are transferred to the film and make it a parallel to Whitman’s work.