Dead Poet's society (Outside film)

 “Dead Poets Society” can be viewed through the lens of Rudolph Otto’s concept of the “numinous,” as outlined in his work “The Idea of the Holy.” This film is one of my favorites, set in a traditional and strict boarding school, and explores themes of nonconformity, and rebellion. It focuses on the main characters Todd Anderson, Knox Overstreet, Neil Perrry, and others. The divine, in the context of the film, is not encapsulated within the rigid structures of organized religion or dogmatic belief systems. Instead, it is presented through the character of John Keating, an English teacher who embodies the spirit of the numinous—mysterious, awe-inspiring, and deeply spiritual. Keating’s teachings are not just about poetry; they are an invitation to experience the world with a sense of wonder and to recognize the divine spark within oneself and in the everyday moments of life. In the film, the students, under Keating’s guidance, begin to break free from conformity and discover their own voices which demonstrates Otto's ideas of mysterium and tremindum. Furthermore, I can relate it to one of Dr. Reddicks own writings, the introduction to “Explorations in Media Ecology”. This emphasizes the importance of understanding media as environments that shape human interaction and perception. In “Dead Poets Society,” the medium of poetry becomes a transformative force that changes the students’ perceptions of the world and themselves. It is through this medium that the film explores the intersection of the divine and the human spirit, suggesting that true education is about nurturing the soul and awakening to the numinous reality that surrounds us.