The Dead Poets Society is a movie that was influenced by many classical authors; one such author was Henry David Thoreau and his book Walden Or Life In The Woods. The movie takes place at a northeastern boys academy called Welton. The views of Thoreau are preached within the classrooms by an English teacher named Mr. Keeting and also at the Dead Poets Society meetings. Neil Perry, one of the main characters in the movie, seemed to be motivated and moved to reach his dreams and goals by the beliefs of Thoreau.
             There are two quotes from Walden that related to the actions and motivations of Neil Perry the first one is, "I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." The other quote, which related to Neil is "Say what you have to say, not what you ought. Any truth is better than make believe."
             Neil lived his life under the constant watch and criticism of his father. The only goals or dreams which Neil was allowed to have were those which his father created for him. Neil had aspired into the schools newspaper editor and dreamed of becoming an actor. His father did not want to hear or speak of any of this and urgently dismissed any of Neil's desires by telling him he couldn't fail him and was going to be a successful doctor.
             After he got the lead part in the play MacBeth Neil was forced to speak out to his father or to quit the play. Neil learned that he could not conform to his fathers needs and wishes and needed to fulfill his own. He told his father this and was allowed to perform in the play. As Thoreau said "...if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams...he will meat with a success unexpected in common hours." Neil performed the lead part in the play and did amazingly well, receiving a stan...