The film “Dead Poets Society” showcased many of Walt Whitman’s characteristics. Whitman was a man who was sensitive to everyone’s feelings around him. He portrayed his self-image as everyone’s self-image through his writings. The values Whitman carried were of value to everyone and not valued by everyone. The message he sent out to the world was to take him as is, to accept him, and if not, then so be it. Aside from Whitman’s personality, his writings were intriguing and realistic. Comparing people, describing people, and stories of different people from all aspects of life made Walt Whitman an incredibly talented writer. Although he was not accepted in his time, he did impact society in ways that promoted understanding, love, passion; but above all, love.

Whitman was shadowed in the film with metaphors that he had touched upon in his “Leaves of Grass.” Carpe diam being such a bold statement was the main message in the “Dead Poets Society.” Whitman’s actions were just as bold as Neil’s rebellious behavior against his father’s wishes to chase down his dream. To seize the day, Whitman lived by every man, woman, and child. He explored their lives and consumed their beings in his own. By publishing the different literature book “Leaves of Grass” that talked of equality, sex, homosexual relations, and other characters in society, Whitman seized the day. Neil Perry knew his father would not accept his actions just as Whitman knew many would not accept his works. Yet both men pushed aside the negative influences and proceeded to construct their foundation as a person and find themselves. Both made their lives worth living and they made it fun instead of lulling in the shadows of others.

Whitman looms large in the “Dead Poets Society” in many aspects of the film. The behaviors of the characters Neil, Todd, Knox, and Charlie all stepped out of the Welton School Academy mold and enhanced a mold of their own. Knox found the courage to talk to a girl and let her know his feelings towards her. Charlie showed his character of humorous and daring outbursts. Neil joined the play and received the major part even though his father did not allow it. Todd stood up and read a poem in front of the class. The theme of the film was Carpe diam. Whitman is just that. He showed us how to live the way we want to, not be restricted by what others think.

Essay Prompt I

John Proctor’s character in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller is the one character that contradicts himself. Through the time period of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts where accusations where being thrown around town, many innocent victims were faced with a cruel decision. They could either plead guilty to being witched and serve time in prison or deny any relations with the devil and hang. John Proctor and wife Elizabeth could not believe the state in which their village had so frantically adapted to fix the growing chaos. As John becomes more vocal in the play about his thoughts on the Salem witch trials, his complexity is revealed as a strong moral, independent, sinful, proud believer of his own words.

Weaknesses displayed by John Proctor counter his strengths in most cases. As a married man, he weakens himself because of the fact that he cannot forgive himself before he asks for forgiveness of others. Due to his lechery with Abigail Williams, he quickly asks for his wife’s forgiveness when he has not accepted himself for his sinful ways. Yet his strength is bright in the way he notices he is a man who bears only one name in his lifetime and is not willing to sign it away to be nailed upon the church doors in humility and shame. “Because it is my name! Because I can not have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies…How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”

As a husband, John shows weakness and strength as well. Human weakness is unveiled when John commits the crime of lechery against his wife with Abigail. Yet strength prevails through the morally advanced Proctor when he admits his fault. Taking responsibility for such an action and doing so in front of his wife and court proceeds to show just how strong and adamant John is on being a better husband for his wife Elizabeth.

Citizens in Salem go to Church every Sunday and follow the strict rules. All except John Proctor. His weakness as a citizen is just that, missing church, working on the Sabbath, and speaking out against the judicial branch in the village. John’s strength as a citizen shows how he will not stand for the lies that are fed to his village and society officials. Instead of minding his own, John takes a stand and fights the whole village until his death for what is right in his mind.

John Proctor does not have many friends for everyone does not accept his ways. Yet the friends he does have are near and dear to him. His weakness is trusting anyone that he wants to instead of having them earn his trust. For when he trusts Mary Warren to tell the truth and deny all witchcraft, she takes her word back and throws John into the fire with the rest of the innocent in Salem. John does not stand for this since the beginning and professes his love for his friends and is imprisoned and later hanged for the innocence of his friends. “Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang.” John Proctor’s strength is self evident through his actions, as he gives his life for those he loves.

Whether he is looked at as a husband of an honest woman, a father of three, a reluctant citizen, or a loving friend, John Proctor’s complexity is unmatched in Salem in 1692. No other man would have followed through to the very end as John Proctor had. The entire process was a hard-fought battle for John in which he did not win; yet left proud. He is proud of himself and those who stayed with him such as his wife Elizabeth, and his few friends who hung by his side.

My name is Brianne and I am blogging now for my english class.  Before english, I have heard of blogging but have never really been interested until now.  I play basketball, softball, field hockey and dance   School is chill and I can’t wait to get my liscense in Februaryyyy.  I like dogs and I have 2 widdle puggs named Zena and Hercules that I love.  I am always doing something but when I have nothing to do I like to sit on the couch and rest or just do something that doesn’t really have any importance to me at all.  Peace