19th Century Literature and Media Education

This clip would be an interesting conversation starter when beginning a unit on Transcendentalism. After students had been introduced to the history and ideology that accompanies Transcendentalism I would show this clip and song from the Broadway show Spring Awakening. This play is about students in the 19th century who struggle with "coming of age" issues such as sex, education, and friendships. Due to the strict moral compass for which their parents are guided, they leave their children with no answers to questions regarding these difficult topics. The result of such betrayal causes the teens to search out the answers on their own. Their misinformed decisions lead two of the characters to their deaths, deaths that could have been prevented if they had guidance.

This particular clip takes place while a group of boys are in school. In chorus, the boys are practicing their Latin, when the main character Milkeur stands on his chair and begins singing. Already, the stage direction shows that through his questioning of life, during the song, he sets himself apart from the crowd of students who find it easier to follow what their parents say than to rebel. Milkeur says, "All that's know is history and science, overthrown at school at home by blind men, you doubt them and soon they bark and hound you." This statement shows how readily society falls into what is comfortable, never questioning conventions. This ideology connects with that of Transcendentalism. I would ask students to listen to the song twice. The first listening would be just to let the words soak in and the second listening would be purposeful, students would listen for words or phrases that sink with that of the Transcendentalists.

I feel that apply this form of media which connects the rebellion of the Transcendentalists to a rebellion of a teenager might allow students to connect more with the concepts and ideology.