Unique Perspective to Teaching Dead Poets Society Essay

In Dead Poets Society, John Keating becomes the new English teacher at Welton Academy, an esteemed school rooted in tradition, after attending as a student years ago. He teaches using an unconventional style which is different from the traditional English curriculum, and in the process, he exposes the students to a new perspective on the subject and principles for living life. Keating encourages free-thinking and condemns the textbook which prevents the students from thinking for themselves. Other individuals, including the principal, Mr. Nolan, disagree with his unconventional method of teaching and prefer that he follow a traditional method of teaching through an English textbook. The lessons that Mr. Keating presents the students†¦show more content†¦English was taught using the textbooks for many years at Welton Academy and ripping the pages from the book represents a rejection of conformity. Keating teaches without the textbook which was a central part of the original curriculum and instead attempts to teach the students to become free thinkers. An important part of becoming a free thinker is to not be influenced by another individual which in this case is Dr. Pritchard. Regarding poetry, the student must have a chance to think for themselves and not have the thoughts of others shoved down their throats by a professor. Keating’s insistence on the students ripping out the pages is reflective of Emerson’s principle that â€Å"Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind†. When Keating has Todd Anderson compose a poem in front of the class, he reveals, to the students, Emerson’s principle that people have limitless potential. After assigning the class to write a poem, Todd comes in the following day without a completed poem. When Mr. Keating calls Todd to let out a barbaric â€Å"YAWP†, he attempts to have Todd channel his inner emotions and feelings before having his compose a poem. The words that begin to spew out of his mouth when Keating tells him to speak about the picture of Walt Whitman on the wall form a poem. Emerson, in â€Å"Self-reliance†, says that â€Å"The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do,Show MoreRelated Critique of Keatings Teaching Methods in Dead Poets Society521 Words   |  3 Pages In the movie, Dead Poets Society, the basic idea of expression is being taught by Keating. Keating is a very unique instructor who uses many different methods of teaching to get the students involved, but he shows them ways to have fun also. That in itself is very unique. Keating is trying to release the emotions these students have within themselves. 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