ASSIGNMENT #4 Dead Poets' Society

     Envision having your entire life planned out for you by someone else, without your say in anything. The dramatized movie, "Dead Poets' Society", directed by Peter Weir expresses how important it is to live life the way you want it to be an to think for yourself. Welton Academy's new English professor, Mr. Keating, changes several students lives of conformity through his teaching of poetry and literature. He becomes their inspiration. He introduces seven boys to the secret club, the "Dead Poets Society", where the students become encouraged to follow their passions. In the course of the the movie, there are three significant themes, students striving to gain their identity, the strength of captivating leaders over students, and the rebellion and courage of students to stand up for what they believe in.

      The boys of Welton Academy to try realize who they are as people. They strive to gain their lost identity. Over many years of being forced to be conformists, the boys yearn freedom. Mr. Keating's English class allows them to break loose and express their feelings. Through the adventures of the film, Neil Perry realizes that he is ignoring and forgetting his own interests to meet his father's strict expectations when he becomes aware of his passion for acting. He tries out for the school play, "Midsummer's Night's Dream", and casts as the lead role, Puck. Mr. Keating stood alongside Neil to be his strength, he believed in Neil. Similarly, Mr. Keating also assists Todd discover his poetic talent. Mr. Keating is determined to make his students successful in life. Success to him is not becoming a doctor or any highly ranked occupation, but to follow your craze, whatever it may be.

     Mr. Keating displays a tremendous amount of power and leadership throughout the entire movie. He holds the ability to inspire and motivate students. Mr.Keating "made their lives extraordinary." The boys learn to avoid the idea of conformity. He teaches his students to think differently and creatively by suggesting new ways of looking at the world in a different light; He works with his students through various compelling activities.The students stand on top of their desks, and to their surprise, the absurd activity truly changes their point of view on life. He also encourages them to tear out a page from a drab book outlining the rules of poetry. Mr. Keating believes that there are no rules for poetry. He tells the students to write freely and do what they felt was right. These ironic exercises educate the students to think for themselves, and view life from a different perspective. John Keating not only focuses on the class as a whole but on student individuality as well. He supports each boy through his struggles, and that's what makes him a great leader.

     The boys reflect on what they learn form their English class sometimes through rebellion. Mr. Keating's nonconformist ways lead many students to being independent. The group of seven boys become most influenced by him, and they go against school rules and recreate the "Dead Poets Society" and start standing up for what they believe in. Correspondingly, one of the seven young boys, Knox, ignores all the consequences that he could face to meet his love, Chris, who he revolves his entire existence around. He also goes against school regulations and sacrifices his relationship with his family to meet her. In addition, he competes for her attention with her boyfriend. In the end, Knox is victorious. Through his acts of rebellion, he wins over Chris' heart. Above all, the greatest act of rebellion throughout the film is that of Neil's. Neil has a very uptight father who plans Neil's whole career for him. He forces Neil to become a doctor, but Neil has plans of his own. He wants to become an actor, so he joins the school play, "Midsummer's Night's Dream", without his dad's approval. Neil revolts against his dad and shines on stage even afters his father finds out.

          Peter Weir's "Dead Poets' Society" forms three main themes during the story line, students striving to gain their identity with the help of Mr. Keating, the influence of charismatic leaders over students, and the rebellion and boldness of students to stand up for what they believe in. Mr. Keating turns the lives of students down a different, more positive path. He can see that "each students eyes are full of hope." He leaves all the staff and students in awe. Mr. Keating is not just a new English professor from England, but he is the small light guiding each student through the darkness.

Homework Blues

     "Mr.Van Camp, my dad came to visit me for the first time last night."

     "Continue," replied Mr.Van Camp with a trace of interest in his voice.

     "I barely recognized him," I stated, hesitant. I choked on every word that I spoke, "I was five years old when he left my mom and I."

     "I understand how you feel Anmol, but how does this explain your missing homework?"

     I swallowed hard, but continued, "Well, when he came in, he slowly approached me, and hugged me, but  it just didn't feel right to me."

     Mr. Van Camp sighed, "Anmol, I still don't see why your homework is missing, this is a waste of my time. I'm going to call your parents right now."

     "Wait!" I shouted, "Please! Listen to the rest?"

     "Alright, but hurry," remarked Mr.Van Camp, impatiently.

     "He told me that he was going to take me out for ice cream so we could catch up. When we went out, he took me to a deserted area right out of town, and he just left me there." I stuttered, "I had to walk all the way back home, and I arrived at around two in the morning. I know this sounds unbelievable, but I assure you that it's absolutely true."

     "Well," answered Mr.Van Camp, "I'll take your word for it this time and give you an extension, but next time, I'm not accepting any late assignments from you."

"Thank you so much Mr. Van Camp, I appreciate it. I just keep wondering now," I murmured, "where he went, and when he will come back home."

Breathtaking Beauty

             After Mrs. Mitty came out of the drugstore, they climbed into their automobile, Walter fastened his seat belt, turned on the windscreen wipers and carefully pulled away from the curb. As they drove out of Waterbury he noticed... that he forgot to buy his wife some vitamin pills from the drugstore. At the the back of the store he saw without a doubt the most beautiful women, standing by her lonesome self, stopping to smell the roses . She took his breath away. He stood there in awe, he wanted to socialize with her. He was sweating bullets as he approached her steadily. As he came closer, he thought to himself that it had been 16 years that he had been married to his wife, what a long wasteful time. Now he knew that good things really do come to those who wait. He thought it was destiny that himself and this mysterious, perfect women were both at the drugstore. He thanked his unworthy wife because she told him to come to the drugstore in the morning, the early bird gets the worm. He stood in front of her, staring with a blank look on his face. "Cat got your tongue?" she said with the most melodic voice, like a thousand harps playing at once. She laughed, showing her stunning smile and turned around and elegantly walked away. He shook himself to reality and grabbed those roses she was smelling earlier. He pricked his thumb as the grabbed the roses, oh well he thought, no pain, no gain. He stood in front of her again, and with a stiff gesture, he quickly gave her the bouquet. Now she laughed and smiled, she was truly an angel sent from above. They both stood there hand in hand. She really knocked his socks off, they were like two peas in a pod. His wife would be so very disappointed in him, but he didn't care.....speaking of the devil he felt a sharp jab in his back, "Are you even listening to me?" Mrs. Mitty said, "I'm getting late for my dentist appointment. Hurry up!" He put the pedal to the metal, and thought to himself on this dark and stormy night that the grass is always greener on the other side.

Assignment #1: If You Could Transport Yourself Anywhere...

The "Unsinkable" Titanic

          10 April, 1912, there I stood, leaned against the freshly painted white railings of the mast Titanic, waving bye to all my companions and the ones I loved. I was so eager to begin my journey into the vast waters of the Pacific Ocean. Their faces fading as I drifted further and further away. The moment I couldn't see the shore anymore, I began my adventure through the ship. I was in awe of the massive chandeliers and the elegant stair cases. My room number was inscribed on my ticket: Floor 1, Room 234. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford first class, but that didn't irritate me, I was here to have entertain myself and make the most out of my time.
          Months before boarding the ship, my father spent excessive hours working overtime in our compact town's blacksmith shop just so I could have the privilege of this amazing experience. I worked hours at our farm, and took care of my siblings as well, taking over of the role of my mother shortly after she past away when I was only 13, my father thought I needed a break. I acknowledge him now for his extremely hard work.
          It was the fourth morning into the best experience of my entire life. By now I had realized that the Titanic was like a maze. No matter how many times I ventured through the different hallways of the ship, I turned a new corner each time. The name of the ship suited it very appropriately. It truly was enormous in size, strength, and power. I was indestructible, invulnerable.
         These thoughts flashed through my mind as I spent my last care-free moments on the Titanic. All I saw was a gigantic ice berg directly in front of the ship. My jaw dropped. I stood there in silence, frozen as the ice berg slowly approached us. I heard distance screams and the crew rushing and panicking all around me. Massive force and impact was felt as we hit the ice berg. Now everyone was still, nothing else could be done.
         All I remember was being rushed and pushed into the life boats. I just stood there like a zombie, still alive but dead. The faces fading away as we dove away from the shore was all I remembered as I now saw the Titanic fading in the distance. The ship dove into to the water, sending the crashing waves our way.