Whitman’s sensibilities, values, and message, which he battles to make known to the larger public influence the movie, Dead Poets Society. The group of boys embodies Whitman’s ideals, fighting the control and suppression of individuality. They each embody something of Whitman, but in some of the characters they have a greater showing of a single trait.

Knox Overstreet is head over heels for the younger Mr. Danberry’s girlfriend. She is everything he ever wanted and knows she is perfect at first glance. He celebrates his love for her by telling any who will listen. Knox was dripping with love and appreciative of its strong power. He struggles to tell her how he feels, but his expression is lost in his soul until he is released from his shackles. Walt Whitman encourages the love of all and the love of the one self through his poetry. It is Knox who is a direct connection to the love of all things to Whitman.

Newanda is subjected to impulse and righteousness. He lives how he wants near the end of the story, defying the consequences. He refuses to be controls. Charlie Dalton appreciates love of the flesh and the more wild side to life. He is connected to Whitman’s more hidden aspects such as his in the shadow activities that defy convention. Whitman gave into impulses, unashamed of what he was and what he liked, just like Charlie.

The theme of the film is about self-discovery. Defining who you are in a place that is in charge of stamping it out. And in the single moment, where they rip the first page out of their books, their lives will irrevocably change. They are inspired to be themselves by their new English teacher, Mr. Keating, through the lyrics of poetry. He is like Whitman to them. He encourages them to live and be free of the flesh and conformity. His symbolic presence is the driving force behind the boys, even if they make their own choice. Whitman’s lines are a bright beacon to many of the boys, helping them find themselves. They push away convention and live how they wish.

There must always be a sacrifice for others to gain. Neil Perry come a live on stage and his father is taking away the water he needs. He dies without it, but allows the others to be set free and love life. Whitman’s influence is visible in almost every aspect of this movie and made it so most modern literature and film have some sort of connection with him. He is the voice of the American people. The voice is still resonating and inspiring years later. The Dead Poet’s Society is a spectacular movie about self-discovery. It encourages, like Whitman, to be yourself and ignore the mandate of society. They want the viewers to brake free of the mold and if not, at least gain courage that when their time comes, they can.

John Proctor is a man of complex quality. He is like many mortals, but he was made immortal at the end of the movie and play, The Crucible. He is a man that was caught in the struggles against good and evil. He questions what he is taught with his actions and his words. He is a good man in the sense that he loves, lives, and tried to live a righteous life in a time filled with lies and revenge.

Proctor is like any man with his faults and virtues. He strives to live with God and rear his children to be good men. As a citizen of Salem, John is a respected member of the community. He holds weight with many citizens who respected his judgment. He is known as a wise man and fair of judgment. Proctor is “a kind man—powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led—who cannot refuse support to partisans without drawing their deepest resentment. In Proctor’s presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly.” (pg. 175) He is in all appearance, a specimen of man many would try to live up too.

As a friend, John is invaluable. He will not accuse any of witchery. He will “speak [his] own sins; [he] cannot judge another… [he] have no tongue for it.” (pg. 239) He does not wish for any harm to befall the people of Salem because they testified that their wives, his own, Giles Corey’s wife, and Mr. Nurse’s wife, are all good women of the church. Proctor tries never to lie and keeps a moral character but on every road, there are bumps and ditches that pose hazards to the travelers.

John and Elizabeth Proctor do not have a peaceful marriage. John claimed that Elizabeth’s “justice would freeze beer.” (pg. 194) John is “a good man,…only somewhat bewildered.” (pg. 194) He struggles with the “needs” of men and a longing to be a faithful man. He struggles with his lust for Abigail Williams. He carries the burden of committing adultery with him and it burns his soul with his hate for himself. He has sinned against “the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct” as well. (pg. 175) In the position of a husband, John is not as good at or struggles more with this than the other aspects of his life such as citizen, man, and friend.

John Proctor struggles with who he is as a man and his own beliefs until his demise at the noose. He loves Elizabeth, and cannot stand what he has done to her, but he had integrity. The integrity drew people to him and gave him the courage necessary to try and free his friends. He is not a saint, not any where near perfection, but he wants to be a good person. In the end, He achieves it, even though he lost everything, he came to terms with who he is. And that was no liar.

Hello, I’m Ellen (obviously).

This is for my English class (hence most of my posts will be about english things), its kinda like an online portfolio for all our work this year.

I love to write and read (as most people know). I love to laugh (example: HAHAHA) and I like chocolate or peanut butter cup ice cream (the best is when its both. lol.) I love winter and autumn, and I love all kindas of music (except folk and things like that). I love the smell of burning wood and the sound of a crackling fire (crackle, crackle ). I perfer cats over dogs, but love both.

I think that covers the basics. (basics are simple for those that don’t know what they are. It’s like one. lol.)

E out!