Transcendentalism emerged as a philosophical and literary movement during the nineteenth century which focused on intuition and the individual conscience. Transcendentalism gained support from writers such as Emerson Thoreau. These supporters believed that fundamental truths are known to the heart and therefore cannot be grasped by the senses. As applied to modern times, the movie Dead Poets Society depicts the Transcendental truths of self-reliance and non conformity. This Philosophy of Transcendentalism can be seen as having both positive and negative effects. One transcendental truth, the concept of trusting thyself, can be defined as the way an individual becomes self-reliant thus freeing himself from the enslavement of a society that conspires against him to conform. Confidence is having faith in one's own ideas and beliefs and acting upon these convictions. In trusting thyself one must be confident in what he or she has to offer, though society might shun it. It is evident in the movie Dead Poets Society that Todd Anderson, a character lacking self confidence and self esteem, does not allow his true feelings to prevail.
In a particular situation in the movie Todd's friends decide to sneak out of the institution where they are staying to recite poetry in a cave. When Todd declares that he is not so sure about the idea his friends continually beg and plead with him until Todd finally gives in. Through this situation one can see that Todd Anderson in not at all self-reliant. Todd does not express his true feelings and emotions which cause Todd to make bad decisions. It can also be seen that Todd Anderson lacks self confidence when he is unable to express his own feelings in a classroom assignment. Todd is asked to recite a poem in front of the class which he is afraid to do...