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.