“I’m being chased by Walt Whitman!” That is the feeling of the Dead Poets Society; a 1950’s boarding school, rebellious boys with a thirst for knowledge, a new English teacher who defies the curriculum and shows them there is more to the world than their parents’ ambitions. Dead Poets Society is my all-time favorite film. As an aspiring English major, this film has been a major influence on my life. I have always been an avid reader, but the lessons Keating teaches the boys of Welton Academy resonated with me and left me craving more. This film is also rampant with the "dark academia" aesthetic; from the elite boarding school setting to the secret poetry meetings. I find myself inspired by this aesthetic, pushed to do more, be more, as Charlie Dalton might say. The film itself is a beautiful bildungsroman, both aesthetically and in its themes. The filmography and direction are so organic; the boys are always moving and everything feels fluid and real. In the shower room, it's chaotic but everyone is doing something, moving around and making plans, yet Todd is there, stilling the scene and grounding it. Everyone is in constant motion and it is so lovely and real and raw. It fits with the message of making your own way in the world, exploring yourself, and embracing art. I really feel like I am right there with them. The Dead Poets Society is art from all angles. Whether you watch it at face value and see a sweet but tragic coming of age story, fixate on the prose, or dive into the subtext of Neil’s relationship with both Todd and his father, the entirety of the film is a celebration of the humanities and individuality. There truly aren't enough words to show my love.