Mr. Keating is the new English teacher, who is filled with passion and pride for poetry. In a way, he represents Whitman himself. This is shown on the first day of school when Mr. Keating wants the boys to refer to him as “Captain.” This title comes from one of Whitman’s poems “Oh Captain, My Captain!” Mr. Keating is greatly influenced by Whitman in the film. He wants the boys to view things in a different light as Whitman did. In the play Mr. Keating refers to “Song of Myself”, and tells his students that they must not be kept closed in but view things differently. With that said, Mr. Keating makes his students stand on his desk allowing them to see things in a new light. Another way in which Whitman is greatly used in the film is when Mr. Keating tells the boys to rip out the introduction to their books about poetry. This scene is influenced by Whitman because Whitman was a visual person. He learned things by viewing others and places. Whitman learned by seeing (when he would go into the cities and watch people) and not reading what someone else thought was right. Whitman viewed freedom as an important thing, a way to find one’s self. These same values are what Mr. Keating is trying to teach his students. He wants them to find who they really are in the world and not be subjected by authority such as the administration or their parents.
Whitman greatly influences Neil within the film because just as Whitman found his freedom as a poet, Neil finds his freedom as an actor. Neil is able to learn and take the advice of Mr. Keating (who represents Whitman) and tell his father what makes him happy. Although, resulting in death, Neil is still able to see life in a different light and find his freedom as a person just like Whitman did.
Whitman believed strongly in love. His poems express how he feels about relationships, life, and passion. Whitman is open about the love he shares for others, often referring to them in his poetry. As Whitman is open to love and the expression of it, Knox too soon finds the same courage. At first shy and unsure of himself, Knox keeps the feelings he has for Chris locked inside. As the movie progresses he soon finds the courage to tell her how he really feels and in Whitman’s fashion he tells her through poetry.
Lastly, Whitman influences Todd during the movie. As a poet Whitman at first struggled to find himself. After the failure of “Leaves of Grass,” Whitman began to write in a way that no longer represents who he was as a person. Whitman had to find himself, and in the same way Todd to had to find who he truly is. Todd is shown as a shy boy who deals with internal problems. Through the movie Todd is able to come out as a person and express himself through poetry. An example of this is when Mr. Keating is able to get Todd to make up a poem in front of the class.
The greatest influence that Whitman has on The Dead Poet Society would have to be at the end of the film. When Mr. Keating is blamed for the death of Neil the school administration fires him. Returning to his class to collect his things, Mr. Keating’s students, led by Todd, stand on their desks and refer to him as “Captain.” This action shows Mr. Keating that has done his job. His students have found their freedom and a new light. They have learned a new way of living from Whitman.
The main characters within The Dead Poet Society learn new values and take a new perspective on life based on the teachings of Whitman. Similar to Whitman’s experience, love is exposed, a new light is found, and lastly freedom is discovered. Whitman is able to touch the lives of Mr. Keating, Knox, Todd, and Neil in different yet effective ways.
