Welcome to the inaugural fall edition of Ablaze magazine! I'm truly in awe of the remarkable team behind this endeavor. Not only did they design two magazines within two semesters, but they also continued to deliver extraordinary articles, designs, social media on our digital platforms, and photography.
Ablaze magazine is a student-powered publication dedicated to covering women's topics and feminist issues. We are located at The University of Tennessee, and we strive to empower women and other underrepresented groups on campus within our wide community who share our ideals and values. This magazine serves as a voice for all, aiming to spotlight innovators and ignite conversations.
Our diverse team of student contributors brings together a wealth of interests, backgrounds and boundless ambition. In this fall edition, we've chosen to delve into topics that resonate with the backto-school season, including features on the marching band, local art, college culture and the essence of autumn.
Despite the challenges faced in creating this print during the spring semester, our teams persevered admirably. Balancing their schedules as college students while investing time in honing their craft, they've produced a visually captivating edition with an overarching theme of "Dark Academia," evident in our cover imagery and uniquely styled staff photos.
If you're intrigued by the prospect of joining such a dedicated team or simply wish to engage with student media, Ablaze offers an enriching opportunity. Reach out to us via Instagram or our website, and we'll connect you with a team that aligns with your interests.
Thank you for choosing to spend your time reading this new print and for supporting us on campus. We extend our gratitude to our readers, sponsors, contributors, and editors for their unwavering support as we look ahead to continued growth and evolution together. If you would like to continue to support our organization's mission and print publications donate to us through this QR code:
Sincerely,
Madelyn Stone Editor-in-Chief
Graphic
Taylor Pearson
Riley Doyle
Kyla Kirby
Tess Mullen
Peyton Blumenfeld
Lailah Rucker
Morgan Gentile
Emma Thomas
Editor: Holly Sarah Liban
Design/Website Department
Not Pictured: Lita Lemmon, Olivia Omer
Ablaze
Photography Department
Social Media Department
Content Department
Sophia Carter
Andi Jones
Alexius Brunson
Maddingly Cotton
Joni Mitchell
Ishma Khattak
DJ Campos
Amelia Beuscher
Editor: Bailey Beller
Editor: Mattie Chase
Ava Franzoy
Aurora Bryan
Morgan Beirne
Madison Russell
Makenna Wevick
Ella Stewart
Carmen Rivera
Ella Kelley
Chloe Cross
Editor: Molly Nichols
Quinn Summey
Amari Mills
Jenna Caraway
Jenna Tyminski
Not Pictured: Maywyn Haydamack, McKenzie Rider
Not Pictured: Yvonne Ratledge
Not Pictured: Abigail Doehler, Anna Eason, Catherine Espejo, Cee Spiller, Grace Donoho, Hannah Jansen, Kim Woodward, Lily Rutherford, Sophia Beirne
PRIDE OF THE SOUTHLAND
A LOOK INTO UT CULTURE & TRADITION
Written by: Jenna Caraway | Photos by:Bailey Beller and The Beacon | Designed by: Lita Lemmon and Taylor Pearson
With school back in session and football season coming upon us, it's time to discuss a key part of UT football game culture: the Pride of the Southland Band. Between upbeat stand tunes, the Power T during pregame and a new halftime show every week, the Pride has made its mark on UT culture while also creating its own.
Formed in 1869, the Pride is one of the oldest bands in the country. Over 150 years later, the Pride continues to make history and break records. The band has performed in 15 inaugural parades, which is more than any civilian organization, and is the largest band to perform at London Band Week.
Pride members talk highly of their participation in the band and the memories made. Freshman trumpet player Ben Duncan attributes his growth musically and personally to the Pride.
“Regular practices and performances help improve my musical skills, including technical proficiency on my instrument and my overall musicianship,” Duncan said.
Junior trumpet player and squad leader Cole McFarland said being in the Pride has evolved his college experience.
“Being a freshman, I was immediately taken under the underclassmen’s wing. I never felt like a ‘scared freshman’ because I always had amazing role models to look up to,” McFarland said. “Now, I am so thankful to be a role model to upcoming marches as they navigate college and growing up.”
Band Director Michael Stewart also notices growth within his band members.
“It’s not just about band and opening the T and playing the right notes,” Stewart said. “We want to deal so much more with the holistic student and how they grow, develop and then eventually can contribute in positive ways to whatever society they go into.”
Traditions play a part in the experience of those in the Pride, some that we even get to see ourselves when the band performs. From the complex Circle Drill the Pride masters during halftime performances to smaller traditions that occur during band
camps or gameday practices, the Pride has developed a strong culture with these students.
Of course, there’s bound to be some traditions that band members like better than others, and everyone always has a favorite.
“My favorite band tradition is practice on Game-Day Fridays when the trombones march across the field in a miniature power T playing Rocky Top,” Duncan said. “We have to run to the 45-yard line and salute to them while they are playing.”
McFarland’s favorite band tradition is the volleyball tournament at the end of band camp this year. To him, it gave an opportunity to celebrate their hard work and just have fun. These are times when long-lasting friendships can be formed.
Besides traditions, the Pride members also hold fond memories of being in the band. Duncan said that, so far, his favorite memory was traveling to Gainesville for the Florida football game.
“Now although we lost that game, we got to stay in a beachside hotel in Jacksonville and it was a really fun time hanging out with my friends,” Duncan said.
Being part of the Pride, there are many milestones that establish one’s place in the band. For instance, the opportunity for leadership that McFarland experienced during his first alma mater solo.
“Needless to say, I was very nervous. However, when they said ‘Cole McFarland from Marshall, Illinois’ over that loudspeaker, I was filled with emotion. I see that as a defining moment in my band career,” McFarland said.
Stewart said the Pride pushes for excellence in everything it does.
“Whether it’s excellence through performance, through respect for each other, representing the university, the state of Tennessee, we really, in every single thing that we do, how we play, how we march, how we act, we just try to strive for the highest level in everything,” Stewart said.
The band continues to make history year by year, but there are many things that Stewart would still like to accomplish in his time as band director.
“I want to continue to get the band out internationally. We did London a couple years ago. I’d like to do that every four years,” Stewart said. “Being able to perform at events like the Macy’s Parade or the inaugural parades.”
These accomplishments clearly exhibit the hard work and dedications of the students in the band.
With positive experiences from the members to the goals Stewart wishes to accomplish, the Pride of the Southland is bound to continue its legacy. There’s no doubt that the Pride of the Southland will continue to make history and continue to curate a culture that its members thrive and grow in.
Cole McFarland
Michael Stewart
Ben Duncan
Ablaze
Models: Chloe Cross and Morgan Gentile
Gameday Outft ideas
Written by Chloe Cross | Photos by Amelia Beuscher | Designed by Lailah Rucker
Orange Romper
A romper is a cute affordable and lightweight item which is perfect for those August fall games in the heat. When it gets colder out, throw on a jean jacket or sweater to spice up the look.
Orange Tennis Skirt
Tennis skirts are the perfect option if you want to stay comfy while still looking cute. They can be dressed up or down, making them extremely versatile. For a sporty look, you can throw it on with some sneakers and white tank. For the dressy look, you can pair it with a white sweater and some boots.
Orange GoGo Boots
These boots are the perfect staple piece for the daring stylists out there, and they are surprisingly comfortable. These boots would look stunning with a white mini dress or a jean skirt.
Orange Gingham Ribbons
Ribbons are the perfect accessory to spice up any gameday fit, especially if you’re not keen on wearing orange. You can style these in your hair, tie them on your shoes, or even wear them as jewelry.
Orange Cropped Tank
If you’re balling on a budget, then Target is the perfect stop for gameday attire. This tank is only about $5 and is easy to mix and match no matter your style. You can wear it with a white skirt or jean shorts for warmer games, or layer up with a jean jacket and cargos.
how to cope with...
home sick ness
/ˈhōmˌsiknəs/
a feeling of longing for one's home during a period of absence from it
Written by: Abigail Doehler | Photos by: DJ Campos | Designed by: Kyla Kirby
Model: Tess Mullen
5 effective strategies for coping & thriving
omesickness, a universal experience often underestimated in its impact, can cast a shadow over one’s college journey. Homesickness is often brushed off as a mere initial hurdle to overcome, yet its implications run deep, affecting emotional well-being and academic performance.
Homesickness can follow students in their college journey, coming and going through the years. To build coping strategies, it is important to address the issue head on and mitigate its potentially detrimental effects.
UT students Carla Gaitin from Tennessee and Mariah Murray from Maryland have both traveled great distances to attend the university and have experienced homesickness. In an interview, they shared insights and advice on how they navigated homesickness.
It’s important to not ignore homesickness when it arrives. Try to sit with the uncomfortable feelings that come with it by attuning yourself to your thoughts and feelings. Journaling can be a great way to effectively release these emotions and move on faster.
Consider setting a time frame to intentionally pause and acknowledge what you’re feeling. Then later, get back into your regular routine and try distracting yourself in all the good aspects of your new home.
Facing these emotions head-on can guide you in decreasing the intensity and frequency of these feelings. Gathering the courage to confront your thoughts and emotions can often minimize the negative feelings. The sooner you feel and process, the sooner you’ll get back to enjoying your current home and living your life fully.
Support your connections to home through regular video chats, phone calls, visits and decorative touches. Try scheduling a set time for a weekly or daily phone call to home when you have the opportunity to sit and chat.
“Calling my loved ones helps me a lot. My best friend goes to school in my hometown, but she has been a huge help. Anytime I am feeling down or stressed, I know I can text her, and she will respond immediately,” Gaitin said.
You can also nurture your connections by decorating your space with reminders of home. Do what you can to make the space feel familiar and keep you close to your loved ones even from a distance.
Set up visits home ahead of time to have something to look forward to. Check the academic calendar to stay informed on when breaks and long weekends are scheduled. Counting down the days and making plans can make the time apart feel more manageable. This creates a focus on feelings of excitement and confidence rather than overwhelm and hopelessness.
Take advantage of the counseling center to get advice and a customized plan to work through your homesickness. This can benefit your mental health and help pull you out of feelings of isolation.
Trained mental health professionals can help you find the positive areas and opportunities for growth in dealing with homesickness. They can help teach you how to turn your experience into an empowering one by cultivating your independence.
“I feel like it had a huge positive impact on my life. I learned how to be alone. It has made me independent and I find comfort in doing things alone now. It is something that I really struggled with at first,” Gaitin said.
Murray explained that UT’s resources have helped her build emotional strength as she pursues an education away from home.
“I’m glad I went through it because it did teach me to be strong, and it taught me that things will always be okay and the world will keep moving, even if you don’t think it is…” Murray said. “Remembering that I’m here for a reason, I’m here for my future, that’s what’s been keeping me at bay. My second year here I love it, and I wouldn’t change anything for the world.”
UT has a lot of clubs, organizations and special interest groups. Getting involved with these organizations will help fulfill your sense of belonging and community.
“It was also hard being in a PWI (Predominately White Institution). This made the feeling of being homesick even worse because I was not surrounded by people who were the same as me culturally,” Gaitin said.
Consider connecting with a cultural organization that shares your heritage and culture like the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), Native American Student Association (NASA), Sophisticated Queens Unafraid and Driven (SQUAD) or the Filipino-American Association.
You can also find commonalities with other students in your favorite activities with clubs like the Canoe and Hiking Club, Creative Writing Club, Rocky Top Rollers or the Grannies Club.
“I would recommend making yourself go outside, at least. Go see people and just go people watch. Talking to the friends here will help you realize what you’re missing out on by focusing on missing home,” Murray said.
Keep in mind that homesickness may come and go throughout your college experience. This is perfectly normal. Be patient with yourself.
THE MOVEMENT TO ATTENDANCE POLICIES ABOLISH
Written by: Cee Spiller |
Sophia Carter | Designed by: Riley Doyle
Students call to abolish attendance policies. The movement's advocates promise a more just university experience for all students. Abolishing attendance policies is not necessarily arguing that missing classes is beneficial. Instead, advocates believe attendance should be encouraged but not enforced.
Emma Sheeran, a writer for the Seahawk at the University of North Carolina-Wilmiington, shared how managing attendance through mandation is not effective but should instead focus on promoting student success.
“Bettering the student body’s mental health will in turn lead to better attendance,” Sheeran said.
A common view is that attendance is beneficial but policies which compel attendance will not necessarily lead to greater attendance. Data on attendance policies is scarce and as a result, measuring the impacts of said policies is a befuddling experience. Still, the consequences of abolishing all attendance policies should be seriously considered.
Abolition Pro 1: Allows students to be graded on knowledge not attendance
As many students have experienced, the syllabi of many classes have policies which drop letter grades for students who miss more than three classes. In, fact, several other classes reserve the right to fail a student if they miss so much as five classes.
Bee Bussell, a senior computer science major, described the policy for one of her classes.
“If I miss one day for the rest of the semester, I will drop a letter grade,” Bussell said.
Her class has this policy to heavily incentivize students to attend their peers' presentations.
According to advocates of removing attendance requirements, deductions for a lack of attendance prevent grades from focussing on student knowledge.
Photo by:
The Pros and Cons of Abolishing Attendance Policies
Abolition Pro 2: Universities have deficits in their official reasons allowing for excused absences
Provided excuses are extremely limited, which allows for restrictive attendance policies. These strict policies allow for the negative impacts previously disccused. Although many syllabi have their own warrants for excused absences, UT has a mechanism of protected excuses.
The policy gives five official reasons for absence: military orders, courtimposed legal obligations, religious observances, extended illness and participation in approved university sponsored activities (all with documentation). For most students, extended illness is the most common excused absence. Notably, this does not cover short-term illnesses, such as waking up sick. For many students, this serves as a dilemma: stay home and hope for excusal at the risk of marked off points or attend class and potentially endanger their peers.
In addition, students may have emergencies that will not be excused, potentially hurting a student’s grade at no fault of their own. Many professors will be understanding, but they also have every right to ignore a student’s warrants.
Abolition Pro 3: Ensures students do not have to prove their personal issues or mental health struggles
According to those in the anti-attendance policy camp, a system where students are obligated to have their mental health days validated by their professors is both unsustainable and unfair to a student’s personal life. Advocates who support abolishing attendance policies believe it’s a student’s right to take mental health days and this should not be denied to them under any circumstances. Of course, students may abuse this right, but if a student in need is denied a critical mental health day, then the class risks a toxic worklife balance.
Abolition Con 1: Encouragement to skip class
Even though well-studied students can pass a low-level class with flying colors, their success becomes much more unlikely in a high-level class with intensive notes. Having lax policies encourages skipping class so students’ learning skills may be impaired in the long run. Undoubtedly, current attendance policies rely on the judgment of professors for excusing absences but academic success is also pivotal to students’ well being.
Abolition Con 2: Attendance can both improve grades and knowledge
Even though professor’s can upload their slides and notes, missing class creates a deficit where students can’t ask live questions or hear the instructor’s commentary on the material. Because of this lost opportunity, attending class helps students succeed. If abolishing attendance policies will lead to students missing class, their academic success will be hurt. This may also directly correlate to grades when attendance policies serve to pad students’ grades.
Nishi Yadali, a senior biochemistry major, discusses how professors make up for a lack of attendance policies with rigid grading scales.
“If you don't have an attendance policy, most professors will just weigh their exams that much more,“ Yadali said.
SO YOU WANT TO MISS CLASS
Abolition Con 3: Attendance policies have room for reform without removal
The goals of reform and abolition align: Create an equitable system for students who need to miss class. Here are two ways that is possible:
1. The excused absences list by the university could be expanded.
Universities leave the majority of attendance policies up to individual professors, but this could be expanded to include key issues such as medical emergencies, family issues, or sudden debilitating illness.
2. Universities can ensure that attendance policies aren’t arbitrary.
David Garber, a graduate student who teaches Math 123, agrees with a reform in which students cannot have their grades suddenly dropped one letter when missing a number of classes.
“I think that should be against any realistic norms. It should only be that the maximum penalty on the grade should be proportional to the portion of the day to the total number of class days,” Garber said.
Garber instead uses a system in which students can have their absences excused if a student emails him with an explanation.
In the end, in considering the merits of abolitionist arguments, both parties take student success, mental health and rates of attendance themselves. Despite this, anti-policy supporters rely on core arguments of supporting mental health while anti-abolitionist arguments persuade over academic success. Ultimately, the decision is up to the student body and faculty: Do we keep attendance policies the same, do we reform the policies or do we abolish the policies entirely?
The DANGERSofCollege
Drinking Culture
Written by Aurora Bryan | Photos by Joni Mitchell | Designed by Taylor Pearson
“You’re not an alcoholic until you graduate!”—a sentiment I’m sure we’ve all heard in some form or another during our college careers. However, this is a very problematic mindset to have, not just for yourself but also for those around you.
In a research article about the extremely negative consequences of excessive drinking in colleges by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), it’s stated that the first six weeks of freshman year are the most vulnerable time in a person’s college duration due to the consequences of student expectations and societal pressures surrounding alcohol.
The first few weeks of college tend to be most people’s first taste of true independence, with complete freedom to make all their own decisions. Spending those weeks being bombarded with pressure to drink, and drink excessively, can set a worrying tone for the rest of your college experience and your life in general.
According to the research collected by the NIAAA, each year about 1,519 college students die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes. About 696,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking, about 1 in 4 college students report experiencing academic difficulties from drinking and around 15% of fulltime college students meet the criteria for past-year alcohol use disorder or alcohol addiction.
None of these are consequences that simply vanish the minute you graduate. Despite the mindset that drinking excessively won’t make you an alcoholic while you’re in college, addiction is addiction whether you’re in college or not.
In fact, because college is often when most people first interact with alcohol, it’s precisely the time when they should be establishing self-control.
UT student Layla Kibler shared how she developed a healthy relationship with alcohol, including limiting the amount of drinks she has each week.
“I’ve known a lot of people who’ve struggled with alcohol addiction and I’ve seen what they go through, so I do think it’s very important to have self discipline and never let yourself cross a line that you’ve set,” Kibler said.
Setting boundaries to follow and keep yourself in check can be very helpful, especially when dealing with as slippery of a slope as alcohol. When you’re unfamiliar with the effects that alcohol can have on your body and mind, and everyone around you is encouraging you to drink often, it becomes very easy to become addicted or dependent without even realizing it.
It’s time we talk about the social norm of college drinking
4-20-24
It’s totally normal to want to fit in with everyone in college, and dealing with peer pressure in drinking settings can be challenging, but there are strategies to help navigate these situations. For instance, carrying around a solo cup filled with a non-alcoholic beverage can give the impression that you’re already drinking, deflecting pressure from others to consume alcohol.
Additionally, surrounding yourself with friends who support your choices and respect your limits can provide a buffer against peer pressure.
Pellissippi State Community College student Jacob Susano speaks on fighting peer pressure and prioritizing safety.
“Honestly just saying ‘no’ can work a surprising amount of the time, but if you say no and are still feeling pressured, the best course of action is to just remove yourself from the situation. Those aren’t people you want to be around anyway,” Susano said.
When trying alcohol for the first time, having a support system is essential. Doing your best to create a safe environment for yourself with people you trust and who you know won’t push you when first starting to drink can be just as infinitely safer than experiencing these things for the first time at a frat party or while going out with people you just met.
Basically, alcohol is a lot more dangerous than most people give it credit for. It can have long term impacts on mental and physical health. Believing that it can’t harm you or cause you to harm others is a hazardous mindset to have, one that can take a lot longer than a graduation ceremony to overcome and let go of.
Coming across alcohol during your time in college is unavoidable, so it’s crucial to approach it with caution and awareness. Chances are you will feel pressured in one way or another during your college career as well, but by establishing personal boundaries, seeking support from trusted peers and understanding the risks involved, individuals can navigate the college drinking culture more safely and responsibly. 4-20-24
COZY GAMING THE HEALING MAGIC OF
LEVELING UP SELF-CARE THROUGH AN UNEXPECTEDLY RELAXING TREND.
Written
In our culture of exhaustive pursuit of productivity, stress pervades our daily lives. We constantly seek to efficiently maximize our time. It has become difficult to clock out and allow ourselves to rest and our downtime is plagued by guilt, renewing the cycle of anxiety. In an era when we are so ashamed of wasted time, it is perhaps surprising that a particular genre of video game has surfaced as an oasis of comfort.
It has been coined as “cozy gaming” or “wholesome gaming.” Cozy games are characterized by uncomplicated, low-stakes gameplay with simple aesthetics and nostalgic charm. Players explore the game’s world through nonviolent means. There is a lack of complex combat, no sense of urgency and tasks revolve around nurturing and fostering, such as growing crops, raising animals, crafting and social interaction.
Well-known games on the scene include Nintendo’s longrunning “Story of Seasons” and “Animal Crossing” series as well as ConcernedApe’s critically acclaimed “Stardew Valley.” These frontrunners have spawned a variety of spinoffs and inspired a considerable catalog of fresh titles.
Indeed, the genre itself is not new, but only in recent years has it flourished to such unprecedented heights. These games have occasioned several communities online, including enthusiastic showcases like Wholesome Direct. This welcome trend offers a uniquely pleasant way to relax: players are rewarded for patience in a low-effort setting that is easy to pick up and put down when it is time to return to real life.
Such games have traditionally been considered silly, childish, feminine and so on. But now it seems that players of all ages and genders are embracing an open-minded delight in these whimsical games. What could be the reason for this remarkable shift?
Faculty Advisor of UT’s Esports Club, Jason Smethers, suggests looking to the pandemic and social media for answers. He recalls the popularity of “FarmVille,” noting that the game’s appeal had much to do with being hosted on Facebook, allowing players to share their progress with their friends.
“The ability to unplug from your TV and truly zone out on your couch is something that was more difficult to do 20 years ago,” Smethers said.
These games have existed for decades, but social media has been able to emphasize their communal nature. Further portability has made them much more accessible.
by Kimberly Woodward | Photo by Sophia Carter
Designed by Emma Thomas
PRESS A BUTTON TO START
Marek Maruszczak is the lead designer for “Everdream Valley,” a cozy farming adventure with a dash of magic. The game’s central inspiration was childhood summer vacations.
“We wanted to make something that would bring back that feeling. Playing with animals, catching butterflies and building tree houses,” Maruszczak said. “We wanted to have those warm and enchanted feelings in our game. There will always be a place for fun and pleasant experiences. Those games are like a walk through a summer meadow or an evening by the fireplace with hot cocoa.”
Dana Senn, working on the upcoming “Grimoire Groves,” a game about growing plants with magic, affirms the effect the pandemic has had on this trend.
“For example, ‘Animal Crossing’ thrived on social interactions, which became particularly relevant during the pandemic. These games cater to individual players’ well-being, offering a sanctuary from the pressures of daily life, providing a few hours of relaxation and tranquility,” Senn said. “In today’s world, with so much stress and anxiety, enabling people to find comfort in games that make them feel welcomed and at ease is a step in the right direction.”
Senn also echoes Maruszczak’s sentiment regarding childhood nostalgia, sharing that the bubbly art style of “Grimoire Groves” was inspired by beloved cartoons like “Adventure Time.”
Similarly, game developer Francesca Melio saw the release of her first game “Teacup” in 2021. “Teacup” is a narrative-driven adventure about a frog in the forest hosting a tea party, and Melio intends for the game to look and feel like a childhood storybook.
“I think it’s getting increasingly harder to not feel an emotional or monetary burden,” Melio said. “I would also include the climate crisis as a factor. In this sense, games serve as a platform for people to engage with issues they care about but have no control over in the real world.”
Melio had one extraordinarily important goal in mind.
“This game would not make the player suffer,” Melio said. “Then, as development continued, the pandemic started, and our efforts to make this game more wholesome doubled down. We needed to create something that was relaxing and comforting.”
Melio believes that wholesome games are more approachable for people new to the hobby, making it easier for them to get started.
Cozy gaming offers respite from the disorder of modern life. Embracing these games as a tool with which to nurture our mental well-being is a conscious choice not to waste time, but to prioritize self-care and reclaim the joy of our childhood one pixel at a time.
Models: Molly Nichols, Lailah Rucker, Andi Jones
Peter Pan Syndrome,
What is that?
A look into what Peter Pan Syndrome is and some tips to handle it.
Model: Jarius Hodge
Written by Alexius Brunson | Photo by Maddingly Cotton
Designed by Holly Sarah Liban
Peter Pan Syndrome, a group of words that is likely to remind you of a famed Disney classic, has been coined as a psychological term. It is specifically used to describe people who don’t want to or simply never grow up.
While it is not an official diagnosis, Peter Pan Syndrome is something that has been rising in popularity due to the very real phenomenon. According to the Cleveland Clinic, people with Peter Pan Syndrome might have problems keeping jobs, doing chores and staying committed in general. People with the syndrome tend to also show traits similar to those exhibited by people with narcissistic personality disorder.
While it is common that people who suffer from this syndrome are male, Peter Pan Syndrome can affect anyone, and it is thought to come from helicopter parenting.
If you frequent online communities surrounding relationships, you have probably heard of Peter Pan Syndrome before. It is something that is usually talked about in correlation to relationships.
However, having Peter Pan Syndrome or having a partner with it, is not the end of the world. There are steps that you can take to help “heal” and continue moving forward.
One of the first steps is realizing that you are not alone. Even though everyone doesn’t have first-hand experience with Peter Pan Syndrome, there are a lot of people who do. In addition, many people can sympathize with the fear of growing up and even a fear of the future, which is similar. There is a support system out there who can relate to the experience.
Once you realize the underlying issue, it is easier to take notice of your habits. You can then point out when you are falling back into those “immature” ways and why. Then, if you have a partner, they can correct their own behavior should they be developing Wendy Syndrome.
Wendy Syndrome is the companion for Peter Pan Syndrome as it describes the enabler of Peter Pan Syndrome or the person who goes above and beyond in doing everything for their partner.
Of course, if something in life is not working, you need to work to change it, and while Peter Pan syndrome is not diagnosable, it is something that can be worked through in therapy.
If you don’t understand why you have these habits or what your triggers are, it is hard to treat them alone. However, having that impartial third party who can step in, see things that you don’t see, guide you through those thoughts and give advice can help one beat or live with Peter Pan Syndrome.
In addition, being patient and kind with yourself or your partner will go a long way. Change isn’t easy, and these habits didn’t form in a day. Treating them will take time. Adding in those new responsibilities that come with growing up will be a long and harsh process, but understanding that and showing compassion for your faults, even when trying to change, will help you through the process.
In the end, watching Peter Pan and Wendy up on the screen can be a fun step back into the nostalgia of your childhood, but one day, you will have to leave it all behind. Having Peter Pan or Wendy Syndrome is not the end of the world. It can be managed with self-awareness and taking steps towards improvement.
Female In Art
Written by Makenna Wevick | Photos by
For centuries, women have used art as an outlet for their rage. When their voices were silenced, they raised them through the power of creation.
Most people tend to associate feminine rage in art with baroque paintings of women screaming and acting out against the stereotypes of the time. Famous examples are usually older paintings, dating back to over hundreds of years ago.
Rhylee Gross, a UT sophomore studying art, speaks on how the emotions manifest in art.
“I think of the expression of a woman and how she feels through a messy artwork,” Gross said.
UT student Kyra Wilson elaborates on this as to how rage can be embodied.
“I think of angry women getting revenge for the way they’ve been treated,” Wilson said.
In these examples, women are seen screaming, crying and committing violent acts. They bleed their raw, unseen emotions onto the paper in hopes that somebody will understand. What they cannot say with words, they say with art, much like many artists today.
Sarah McFalls, the design and communications coordinator and the collections manager at the Ewing Gallery of Art and Architecture shared her view of female rage in art in a interview with Ablaze.
What do you think defines an artwork as having feminine rage?
McFalls: Art that is born of feelings of anger, being dismissed, left out, neglected, overlooked, and undervalued.
What would you say is the most important, or most famous, piece of art depicting female rage?
McFalls: I’m going to take the easy way out and say Artemisia Gentileschi’s “Judith Beheading Holofernes.” She’s still a popular artist. It’s a classic.
When large groups of people (not just women) are systematically excluded from conversations and spaces like museums, galleries, we miss out on so many creative voices, artworks and points of view. If our canon on greatness is predominately measured from one pool of individuals, it is safe to assume that some people and things were elevated at the expense of unheard and excluded individuals.
The famous piece McFalls mentioned is a depiction of a woman named Judith plunging a sword into the neck of Holofernes, a general. It is the moment she assassinated her enemy. It is theorized to be inspired by Gentileschi’s experience of sexual violence, and the injustice that was done to her by the authorities.
Additionally, the Guerrilla Girls’ pieces are modern works of feminist art activism. Like McFalls said, they combine statistics and activism in their pieces to advocate for people with less of a voice in art spaces. Both pieces are great examples of feminine rage and how it manifests in different ways.
Pieces from vastly different time periods can so easily connect together.
“I sense that they all carry an air of injustice and pain,” Wilson said.
UT freshman, Vivian Tessner, shared the common experience of women being silenced.
Do you have any artists you like that have utilized this topic in their works?
McFalls: I like the work of the Guerrilla Girls. They combine performance, protest, data and graphic design to combat racism and sexism in art spaces.
Could you describe the common themes and defining traits of these pieces?
McFalls: Callouts, anger backed with facts and statistics. Masking for memorability and anonymity. The focus remains on the messaging and less on any one specific person who is delivering it.
In your opinion, what led most of these artists to create works dealing with female rage?
McFalls: Feeling overlooked, dismissed, undervalued and angry - and being tired of it all.
Would you say that these pieces live on today? Why or why not?
McFalls: Absolutely. The world is still a dangerous and inequitable place for women - and even moreso if you are a woman, and... (Black, Indigenous, disabled, LGBTQ...).
Any other thoughts on female rage in art?
McFalls: One of my favorite t-shirts says "Men have made a lot of bad art." I like it - not because I think men are bad artists, but because it is a simplified provocative summation of a more complex idea.
“It all seems to circle back to men being the problem,” said Tessner. Her statement might seem teasing, but she is not wrong. Both artists were silenced because of their gender, and their experiences influenced the art they created.
Their rage still resonates with the women of today. Despite the age difference between the works, young women easily connect with them. From what they said, female rage in art has expanded to encompass all kinds of mediums, not just the classic forms. Most of the girls were able to come up with examples from films, with the most common answers being examples of films featuring women gone mad because of their circumstances.
However, that is not the only place feminine rage has grown into.
“We see a lot of women feeling rage through social media as they tell their stories,” Gross said.
This is another way feminine rage has evolved to be seen in the modern age. Most notably mentioned were examples of artistic feminine rage on TikTok.
“We are angry about different things and still angry about the same things. With new technology and new media, there may just be new ways to express old feelings,” said McFalls.
Female rage is not an emotion specific to one time period or one medium. It is an idea that still resonates with modern women. Though today's artwork might look different from the gore and paint of its historical pioneers, the theme of feminine rage will continue to exist as long as women are able to channel their emotions into their art and use it as a creative outlet.
“A lot of my pieces are driven by my emotions or what the subject of my art makes me feel. I express my feelings through color, shapes or continuity because I find it easier to express myself through art and spread a message using an art piece,” said Gross.
Wilson also uses her emotions in paintings to express what is hard to put into words. Whether it be through doodles, films or music, as the injustice against women continues, female rage will not become a foreign concept any time soon. In fact, it might just get stronger.
“I think it’s a type of art we need more of. It is expressive in ways that can’t completely be replicated by any other women’s ‘vent’ media,” Tessener said.
Fall Inspired POEMS
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Designed by: Holly Sarah Liban
"Ashels of Life" by Edna St. Vincent Millay
“Love has gone and left me and the days are all alike; Eat I must, and sleep I will, — and would that night were here!”
Millay is famous for her dark, charged and striking poetry. The lines from this poem express the monotonous and dull cycle that can be overwhelming in the fall. The 1917 poem is a reminder that sometimes, it is okay to just feel sad. Appreciate that emotion to keep moving forward.
Chosen by Madelyn Chase
"Fall, leaves, fall" by Emily Brontë
“Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away; Lengthen night and shorten day; Every leaf speaks bliss to me Fluttering from the autumn tree. I shall smile when wreaths of snow Blossom where the rose should grow; I shall sing when night’s decay Ushers in a drearier day.”
Chosen by Andi
Jones
“Wuthering Heights” author Emily Brontë captures surprising blissfulness in the melancholic aspects of fall. Rather than mourning the shorter nights and dying greenery, the poem embraces the changes that come with autumn. As daunting as it can be returning to school after a warm and rejuvenating summer, it is important to recognize the beauty within the new opportunities of fall as the semester begins.
"Autumn" by Ellis Nightingale
“The sun is warm, the air is soft, there’s comfort in grey skies. Rain patters on so steadily days slip before our eyes. Now here we are –untouched– while autumn steals all that we know. Yet unlike flowers, through the seasons, we may live to grow.”
Chosen by Ella Stewart
Nightingale describes the beauty that is autumn. To see the summer chapter come to an end as fall begins, she reminds us that we too change with the seasons.
“Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost
“Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.”
Frost describes the fleeting nature of the seasons and the relentless passage of time. While autumn is a beautiful time marked by foliage and golden light, it also represents the end of warmth and life. Nothing gold can stay - the sun will set, the leaves will fall, and the cold will come. But the fact that it ends makes it all the more beautiful in the moment.
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“Whim Wood”
by Katherine Towers
Chosen by Anna Eason
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by Ella Kelley
“Her" by Liz Newman
Chosen by Carmen Rivera
“Her scars and her mistakes fashioned into fine lace. She wore her fragile flaws with pure elegance and grace”.
This poem empowers women to embrace their flaws when thoughts of doubt can creep in when it’s fall. It reminds us to accept all parts of ourselves.
“Into the coppery halls of beech and intricate oak to be close to the trees as they whisper together let fall their leaves, and we die for the winter”
Towers details the relationship we have with nature and how much it impacts our own well being. Our connection to nature is so fragile yet so strong, and we are so heavily influenced by it. With the dying of the leaves we also die for the winter and enter a melancholy period, just like the trees we are surrounded by.
Exploring Museums in Knoxville
Your guide to discovering art around campus
Written by Madison Russell | Photos by McKenzie Rider
Designed by Morgan Gentile
Here in Knoxville, there are a number of fantastic museums, suitable for any museumhead out there searching for their next visit.
This guide is intended to open your eyes, dear reader, to the best and most enjoyable museums to visit in the Scruffy city. Here is a list of some of the best spots to visit, rated by collection, accessibility from campus (based on walking from the student union), entrance fee and quality of gift shop.
Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA)
The KMA is a great place to enjoy art or study on a sunny day, where you can enjoy their sprawling terraces. Open since 1961, the core collection of the KMA includes Knoxville artists who specialized in a variety of styles: Catherine Wileythe impressionist; Lloyd Branson-the portraitist; and Beaufort and Joseph Delaney-pioneers in modern art and the Harlem Renaissance.
Outside of the core collection, the museum is also host to many traveling exhibitions, making it an ideal location for a regular visit.
Collection: Variety of “traditional art” and “modern” pieces.
Accessibility from Campus: (0.5 miles), if you decide to brave the UT hills on a walk, you will be treated to the sight of Victorian-era architecture, the birthplace of James Agee, and site from the Civil War battle which gave Fort Sanders its name.
Fee: Free! Just give your zip code at the door Gift Shop: Likely the best on this list, the KMA shop is stocked with branded totes, artsy socks and a vast array of postcards. They have something for every price range and a large collection of personal art supplies.
Beck Cultural Exchange Center
The Beck is focused on preserving and disseminating the legacy of African Americans in east Tennessee. Housed within the historic Beck Mansion - originally an orphanage for Black Children, during the time of segregation, the museum is a fascinating collection of art, culture and education that everyone in Knoxvilles should visit.
An incredible feature of the museum is their collection of items from Judge William H. Hastie. Judge Hastie was the first African-American to become a Federal Appellate Judge, and later, governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the Beck, visitors can see the Judge’s personal library, his degrees and a few of his personal writings.
Collection: The Tree of Life mural project and collections of prominent black-Knoxvillians comprise the core collection of the Center, these holdings are joined in harmony with art pieces, which comprise an interesting and well-rounded collection.
Accessibility from Campus: (2.2 miles), a walk is not impossible, but the infrastructure is not conductive to a leisurely walk; it’s better to drive or take public transportation.
Fee: Free, with the option for a guided tour.
Gift Shop: Primarily books which were published by the Beck center themselves, along with tees and other branded merch.
Blount Mansion
Built in 1792, Blount Mansion was initially just two rooms before it became the “mansion” it is now known as. It was built for William Blount, a controversial figure, signer of the U.S. Constitution and Governor of the “Southwest Territory” (appointed by Washington himself, no less). The historical home was almost demolished in the twentieth century but was saved to grow into the museum it is today. An important piece of Tennessee history, Blount Mansion is an interesting and worthwhile museum to visit, especially on days where visitors can enjoy the outdoor gardens in addition to the mansion.
Collection: At Blount, the home and property are themselves the collection, conjoined with the impressive gardens and filled with contemporary furniture and a creepy doll.
Accessibility from Campus: (0.9 miles) fantastic excuse to walk along the Tennessee River, but upon entering the city you will encounter a behemoth of a hill.
Fee: $10 for adults, with no option for student pricing.
Gift Shop: Primarily books and pottery which would have been contemporary to the time, not a huge selection but a worthwhile bookend to your visit.
McClung
The East Tennessee Historical Society is an impressive collection of artifacts spanning the entirety of East Tennessee history. It underscores the importance of the East Tennessee religion throughout the history of North America, from the indigenous peoples who called it home all the way to the vibrant cities it houses today. This museum tells the stories of people who do not often see themselves in museum settings regularly. It is a worthwhile visit for anyone who finds themselves downtown.
Collection: A great resource for learning about East Tennessee, from the indigenous people of the area, to early settlers, and to the modern day. A highlight is their musical holdings, which-if you like fiddle music as much as me (unlikely) you will certainly enjoy.
Accessibility from Campus: (1.0 mile) situated on Gay street, a walk here is only semichallenging, perfect to add into any day spent downtown.
Fee: $10 for adults, no options for student pricing.
Gift Shop: Primarily an array of books, from the dense history to more easy reads and a lot of works about ghosts in knoxville, they also have a large “kids” collection with the most adorable stuffies.
Museums are an important part to one’s education. Within their walls lie objects which connect us with our past and make those who came before us real. Beacons of knowledge, there is a life-changing museum out there for everyone, we just have to be willing to look.
Located on campus, the McClung is a perfect place to fill time between classes, or as a stop-in along a leisurely walk. The McClung is not just a museum though, it is a living testament to preservation and the importance of hands-on experiences in education. Filled with interesting works, the McClung serves UT as a “learning” museum, providing training in preservation and research for its patrons.
Collection: A bit of everything, from art, to bones, to oysters. The collection is constantly changing too, so even if you have been once, your next visit may feature a completely different display.
Accessibility from Campus: (0.4 miles) literally on campus, in Circle Park.
Fee: Free for everyone, just give your zip code at the door.
Gift Shop: Unfortunately none.
THE FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR
How Women are Leaving a Lasting Impact of Business and Innovation
Written by Andi Jones | Photos by Madelyn Stone | Designed by Tess Mullen
Entrepreneurship has become a buzzword over the past decade yet little is sufficiently understood about the growing career path.
Within the field of entrepreneurship, women have seen incredible success. According to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report, the number of female-owned businesses increased at a rate nearly double that of men between 2019 and 2023.
Further, the report found that these women-owned businesses’ growth rate surpassed the rate of mens’ 94.3% for a number of firms, 252.8% for employment, and 82% for revenue.
Despite clear indications of growth and success, female entrepreneurs make up a small percentage of venture capital.
What is Entrepreneurship?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, entrepreneurship is “the activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.” Within this definition, it is clear that being an entrepreneur involves creativity along with a willingness to take chances.
The entrepreneurial mindset profiler, a commonly used tool in entrepreneurship classes, looks at qualities such as risk aversion and persistence to define entrepreneurial potential.
This broader definition applies to a range of businesses and innovations across fields from lifestyle brands to technological developments and so much more.
About the Anderson Center
Located in the Haslam Business Building, the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is the hub for students with a business idea at any stage in the planning process.
The Anderson Center is open to all students, staff, faculty and alumni regardless of major or level of business experience. From first walking into the Anderson Center, students are guided along the process of designing a business plan and connected to resources such as seminars, networking events and pitch competitions that can help provide funding.
Breanna Hale, executive director at the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, defines entrepreneurship as three questions.
“For me, entrepreneurship boils down to three things: First, are you someone who is able to create value? Meaning identify an opportunity, identify a need, and a solution in the marketplace. Next, are you able to deliver value? Can you actually build the thing? And the third is, can you capture value? Can you monetize it?” said Hale.
“Our mission at the Anderson Center is to empower, support and inspire all UT entrepreneurs in their business ventures by helping them start and grow a business as well as develop an entrepreneurial mindset. We do that through programming, workshops, activities, networking and mentoring,” Hale said.
In the fall, there are numerous events for student entrepreneurs to participate in to gain exposure to investors and also compete for awards from UT. The fall events will kick off with “Vol Court” which is a four week series of speakers that ends in a business pitch competition.
Additionally, the Anderson Center is planning to create a gift guide that features products created by UT students, alumni, faculty and staff. This gift guide will be released in November, just in time for Black Friday and holiday shopping.
Exploring Entrepreneurship in Academics
For students with a passion for starting their own business or launching a product, the University of Tennessee has created a minor in entrepreneurship. This 15-credit hour minor offers a variety of classes from seven different colleges, showcasing the diversity and reach within the field.
Below is a list of some of the courses offered as part of the minor:
JREM 441: Entrepreneurship in Journalism and Media
AREC 212: Introduction to Agribusiness Management
These classes are just a few of the options at UT for students interested in adding the entrepreneurship minor or are looking to add some unique electives to their curriculum.
Business Owning with BriKel Boutique
UT student Kelsie Weber works as vice president of marketing and sales as well as co-founder of BriKel Boutique. This local boutique is inspired by a mom and daughter’s shared love for shopping.
Starting BriKel Boutique, Weber and her mom had limited experience in starting a business, so it was a learning process for them both.
“We researched the internet, that was our best friend during that time. We really researched and made sure we were doing everything right, and took it step by step… You just have to be confident in what you’re doing, and if you put your heart toward it, you have to go for it,” Weber said.
Seven months after launching its online store, BriKel Boutique opened its brick and mortar store in Lenoir City, located about 30 minutes from campus.
Advice for an Entrepreneur
Hale touched on some of the challenges frequently faced by female entrepreneurs, many of which revolve around imposter syndrome. Despite the challenges, there is a reason why females in entrepreneurship are finding such success.
“I think women tend to be really solid at time management and tend to be really solid at communication and organization and they have really creative ideas. The challenge is I think they tend to give up quicker when an obstacle comes up and it tends to make them feel like they are not qualified to overcome that,” Hale said.
Many entrepreneurs, especially women, are prone to give up when they see their idea already exists, but Hale described the value of a new angle or approach even if there is a similar business already in the market.
Weber believes passion and perseverance and key aspects in starting and developing a business.
“Research and reach out to people. Really put in 110% percent. You cannot put in just a little bit of effort and expect a lot out of it. It’s rewarding, but it’s not all easy,” Weber said.
Entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing field that appeals to creatives and innovators across a multitude of industries. Through academics and on-campus resources such as the Anderson Center, UT is cultivating entrepreneurship on campus
If you are interested in starting your own business, don’t be afraid to take the first steps.
Model: Layla Kibler
To Be A WHAT IT MEANS
WITCH RECLAIMING
The evolution of the term witch throughout history
Written by Ava Franzoy
Photos by DJ Campos & Maddingly Cotton
Designed by Riley Doyle & Peyton Blumenfeld
Words can be powerful and the term witch is no exception. At first glance, it’s a jumble of letters. Sometimes we see it referred to during the month of October to scare children or portrayed in classic movies such as “Hocus Pocus” or “Wizard of Oz.” Beyond folk tales and its lighthearted portrayal in American pop culture, witch carries a sinister history that is still prevalent today.
Throughout history, women have been synonymous with the term witch and accusations of witchcraft. As a result, they have faced persecution in ancient and modern times. The Salem witch trials, which occurred in the 17th century, were the largest and most deadly to date. During the trials, over 200 witches were accused, including one child.
Women are often an easy target due to their lack of status and power.
According to the Free Speech Center, almost all of the accused during the Salem Witch Trials were teenage girls between the ages of 11 and 20.
Today in India, land-owning women have been forced off their properties after being targeted by neighbors for practicing witchcraft.
Those who live near the suspected witch may collect firewood for the suspect to burn on, according to National Geographic. The women are often older widows who are scared to leave their homes in fear that neighbors will take their land.
Witch is also a term that has been used to explain medical anomalies or as a catch-all for unexplainable misfortune. In recent years, Zambia has been impacted by an HIV epidemic. According to National Geographic, nearly 25% of all pregnant women have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and witch hunts have begun as a result. According to National Geographic, it was believed the disease was spreading through witchcraft. As many as 16 people were killed in less than four months during the hunt.
A similar situation developed in Papua New Guinea where witch-related attacks continue to favor women at a 5-1 ratio according to the New York Times. A young girl was burned alive in 2009 after an accusation of being a witch and causing men to become infected with HIV/ AIDS.
Over the millennia people have used, and still use, the term witch as a way of projecting their fears onto others. Although AIDS, poverty and powerful women are real fears, witches are not.
It’s not all bad news. Areas in which witch hunts are still occurring often lack resources
of education, a problem that is currently being addressed by the United Nations and governing bodies. For example, some Catholic parishes have been teaching others about the natural causes of death and illness in Papua New Guinea. These parishes also provide shelter to accused witches and denies sacraments like baptism to those who accuse others of practicing sorcery.
The fear of witches can indicate a further issue of sexism as others fear women rising to power. Jarius Hodge, a UT student studying political science, said they understand the impact societal norms can have on women.
“I have grown up surrounded by strong women
and I can confirm from personal experience and historical knowledge that these stereotypes are dense,” Hodge said. “Men only choose to target women because they view them as threatening or weak.”
In the United States, many have cast witches as feminist icons rather than as threats. This new perspective can be beneficial to society, as we turn witch into a synonym for strength and empowerment. Taking away power from the accusers, the term can be reclaimed to take a new meaning, one that celebrates those who we have lost and encourages those stepping into their power.
Written by Ella Kelley | Photos by Maywyn Haydamack
Designed by Peyton Blumenfeld
"DeadPoets Society" tells the story of an unorthodox teacher who lives by the words of Henry David Thoreau – deliberately and deeply. He sets off to inspire the students of a stuffy New England boarding school to reject conformity and think independently. Robin Williams plays the quirky English teacher, John Keating, whose teaching methods clash with the traditional values of Welton Academy.
The opening scene of the movie depicts schoolboys marching into a welcome assembly, carrying flags with words like “Discipline,” “Excellence” and “Tradition” printed on them. The dreary scene introduces Welton Academy as a strict institution with an affinity for tradition and an aversion to individuality.
Upon introduction, Keating immediately stands out against his traditionalist colleagues. During his first lesson, which takes place in the hallway, Keating suggests that his students address him as “O Captain, My Captain,” a reference to the poem by Walt Whitman. He then shares his life philosophy with his students - "carpe diem", meaning seize the day. He urges his students to take every opportunity to be extraordinary because, one day, they will all be dead.
As his lessons continue, Keating’s approach starkly contrasts with the realist ideals Welton impresses upon its students. In one lesson, Keating instructs his students to rip out the introduction to their poetry textbooks.
Urmila Seshagiri, a professor in the English department, said she loves the scene where students tear out introductory pages of their anthology where there is a "table" for determining a poem's greatness.
“What can baffle, or even threaten many people about literature (and the arts in general) is the impossibility of quantifying or measuring its value,” Shegari said. “ How do we approach something – a poem, a painting, a song, a story – that can’t be pinned down to a fixed, singular value of meaning? It’s extraordinary to feel the power of language leap off a page and carry its meanings across time and space. Tearing up the ‘table’ is Keating’s way of freeing his students to respond to art and not to artificial standards of what art supposedly is.”
Seshagiri’s explanation is precisely the point Keating is trying to make to his students. After his students rip the pages out of their textbooks, Keating tells them:
Model: Abigail Doehler
"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering - these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love - these are what we stay alive for.”
Keating shows his students that there is more to life than following the passionless career paths laid out for them. He is a breath of fresh air for the boys who have been suffocated by the school’s unwavering dedication to practical education.
Inspired, Keating’s students form their own chapter of the Dead Poets Society, modeled after Keating’s club when he was a student at Welton. The members gather to read and experience poetry, trying to “suck out all the marrow of life.” This quote from Henry David Thoreau is the motto of the Dead Poets Society. They want to experience as much life as possible, and poetry provides the perfect avenue to achieve that.
Film and video production student Emori Oaks said she believes the film's goal is to show the importance of art and literature, especially to a person and how it shapes the way we think.
"The humanities require us to study what it is to be human," Oaks said. "We learn about society and culture in order to better understand ourselves and to become more aware of the world around us. It teaches us to be compassionate and self reflective, to stop and actually live in the world instead of just survive in it."
Seshagiri offered further insight into the film as an English teacher. She believes the goal of the movie was to inspire viewers to stand up for what they believe and to follow their passions.
“It’s a film that casts suspicion on tradition, and on traditional forms of authority, and draws the viewers’ sympathies for the students trapped by those traditions,” Seshagiri said.
Some critics argue that the film is antiintellectual and misunderstands the humanities, but Seshagiri has a different view on this idea.
“I don’t actually think it’s about ‘the humanities,’ as we use that phrase today –it’s about canonical literature as the path to originality, to rebellion,” Seshagiri said.
It’s not necessarily important that the film portrays an accurate teaching of literature because the focus of the movie is the effect that Keating’s lessons have on his students.
“All classroom or school movies show viewers modes of teaching that are unorthodox, right? It’s the trick to creating an inspiring, or lovable, or transformative teacher character,” Seshagiri said. “So ‘accurate’ teaching of literature or interpretations of poems are less interesting than the way the film shows us the impact of the teacher’s approach.”
This impact is evident in the final scene of the movie. Keating has been fired from the school after being wrongly blamed for his student Neil’s suicide. As he leaves his classroom for the final time, his students honor him by standing on their desks and calling “O Captain, My Captain!”
Leading the charge is Todd Anderson, a student who spent much of the movie too anxious to engage with his peers and step out of his comfort zone. By the final scene, Keating’s impact on Todd is clear: he has grown from the timid boy who was afraid to speak into someone willing to (literally) stand up for his beliefs.
The scene is inspiring and moving, leaving the audience with a bittersweet feeling. Regardless of the accuracy of Keating’s teaching methods, the film created a thoughtful examination of the contrast between conformity and individuality which has left a lasting impression on viewers to this day.
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