The Dead Poets Society is clearly inspired by the transcendental values and beliefs of both Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Most notably, the theme of "self-reliance" prevails as a popular philosophy among students, as a variety of characters in the motion picture either endorse or renounce this belief. Protagonists Todd Anderson and Neil Perry endure the test of maintaining individualistic ideals only with the aid of their inspiring teacher, Mr. Keating. Additionally, other …showed first 75 words of 819 total…

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