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 After the failure of “Leaves of Grass,” Whitman began to write in a way that no longer represents who he was as a person.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.

The second major concept that made up The Crucible is apology. Apology plays a huge role in The Crucible because nearly every character apologized in front of the court. Due to the period of time the play is written in the villagers had no other choice but to believe the accused were truly witches. The accused therefore are left with no other choice but to admit their wrongs, state their return to God, and name who they saw with Satan. If this is not done, then the accused are put to death. Within the play, once accused of witchery the people of the town feel like they have no other choice but to falsely confess their wrongs and apologize returning back to God. An example of a character who performs this act is Tituba when she says, “ I do believe somebody else be witchin’ these children… Aye sir a good Christian women… eternal glory. Bless Him – bless God.” Tituba is forgiven after apologizing and stating her return back to God. Within the Crucible to apologize meant a character was on their way to freedom.

The last major concept is forgiveness. Forgiveness within the play meant freedom. Once an accused is forgiven they are free. Many characters within The Crucible lie in order to get forgiveness, because that is their only way out of death. The three major concepts of identity, apology, and forgiveness make up The Crucible because a character’s identity is what keeps one safe, apology is what an accused needs to do, and lastly forgiveness is what an accused needs to be granted. Identity is what keeps one safe because the people who Abigail and the girls did not like are who they blame for committing witch craft, for example Goody Osburn, Sarah Good, and Goody Proctor. Determined by the girls these people’s identities are said to be conspiring with the devil. In the play, apology and forgiveness are related. A character’s apology is what determines if the court would grant the accused forgiveness, which also means freedom. An example of this is when Proctor confesses his works with the devil, and apologizes for his wrongs. The actions he took after his apology leads the court to no longer grant him forgiveness, and in the end Proctor is condemned to death. These three concepts of identity, apology, and forgiveness make up The Crucible. All three concepts are related to each other, and in a way determine ones life.

* Basketball is my love

* Hanging out with friends is what i like to do

* Music is my life

* Ice cream is my favorite thing

“Everyone sees who i appear to be

But only a few know the real me

You can only see what i choose to show

But there’s so much more you dont know…

This is me”