Assignment #4 Dead Poets' Society

       Imagine, from the day you were born, your future has been planned disregarding your interests or passion. The film "Dead Poets' Society" directed by Peter Weir, displays the importance of having a voice and how one person can change how you view life. The English teacher, Mr.Keating plays a significant role in this film. He influences seven boys attending the Welton Academy to be different and live by your own rules. Neil, a student, faces a dilemma throughout the movie. Because of Neil's strict father, he is unable to follow his dreams of becoming an actor and must have a career of his parents' choice. During the movie, three important themes are seize the day, boys striving for self-realisation , and the power of charismatic leaders.


      "Carpe Diem," Mr.Keating repeatedly expresses this phrase to his students meaning seize the day. Throughout the film, "Carpe Diem" represents the boys' overcoming their fear of following their dreams. For instance, Neil, trying to pursue his passion of becoming an actor, takes advantage of an opportunity to play the main role in a play. However, Neil knows his father will not approve of his actions but he is "gonna do it! Whether [his] father wants [him] to or not!" The boys in the Dead Poets' Society discover to live life for themselves while being pushed to seize the day by Mr. Keating. For example, Knox encounters a problem while trying to woo Chris. He learns she unfortunately has a boyfriend. Knox falls hard for Chris and goes to any length to make her his such as visiting Chris at school to recite a poem. He realizes he is given one life and not to waste it on pleasing others but to live by his own rules. Likewise, "Carpe Diem" is displayed through Todd's actions on attending the Dead Poets' Society because at first he was hesitant to join. Seize the day conveys an important lesson throughout the movie.


     Alongside "Carpe Diem", an important theme illustrated in the film is self-realisation. Teenagers go through many stages in their high school years. During the film, many of the boys are pushed by Mr.Keating to find their identity. For example, Neil discovers he is passionate about acting and auditions for "Midsummer's Night's Dream" and lands the lead role. With Mr.Keating's encouragement, Neil accomplishes his dream. While, Todd learns he has potential in poetry with the help of Mr.Keating's ambition for his students' success. While exploring life, individuals determine the type of person they are like many of John Keating's students do.


      "Seize the day," is a message Mr.Keating strongly believes in and continuously shares with his students. An evident theme in the movie is the power of a charismatic leader as Mr. Keating exemplifies. The professor's words are not heard but listened to, the boys in his English class are greatly affected by Mr.Keating's captivating morals. Because of Mr.Keating, his students began to think differently. In particular, a situation where Mr.Keating changes the students' outlook on life is when he requests them to stand on top of desks to view life from a different perspective. Furthermore, Mr.Keating educates the English students not to follow conformity. This is demonstrated when Mr. Keating does an exercise with the boys to display the effects of conformity and with that the boys learn how to think for themselves. Mr.Keating teaches more than just English to his students, he teaches them "words and ideas can change the world," and live life to the fullest. Todd demonstrates the influence Mr.Keating's words have when he risks punishment from the Welton Academy to stand up for a cause he believes is important. Throughout the film, John Keating's goal is to make his students live by their own terms and as the story comes to an end, he is successful.


   Dead Poets' Society deals with three important themes such as seize the day, the strength of charismatic leaders, and teenagers striving to find their identity. The world is a difficult place, and "you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all." However, the boys attending Welton Academy find success through their English class and discover the road to their future. And Mr.Keating's ways of teaching grasp the students positively and change their lives for the better.

Homework Blues

     "Well, this is what happened," I answered. " it all started last night!" I began to list everything that occurred that night, "I was eating dinner and it was delicious."

     "Oh, really?" replied Mr. Van Camp. "What did you have?"

     "I had some lasagna, but as I was saying, I finished my dinner and returned to my bedroom and went back to working on the enormous load of homework I was given," I stated.

     Mr. Van Camp responded, " and..."

    " Well," I stuttered, " this is a little difficult to say. I received a phone call that changed my whole life. "

    " Its Okay."

     "Mr.Van camp, that phone call was the most devastating moment of my life! It was my doctor and he told me ' Dear, I'm sorry to inform you that you have Cancer'."

     "Oh," Mr. Van Camp slowly let out, " I'm sorry to hear."

     "So, this is why I was unable to compete my homework, I couldn't think about English while I just received the worst news ever!" I explained.

      " I understand Dear, I hope that you will win your battle against Cancer," Mr. Van Camp responded in a sympathetic tone, " and as for the homework, take as long as you need."

      I replied, " Thank you, Mr. Van Camp, I appreciate it." I paused, and resumed speaking" But may I ask a favor?"

     "Of course! What can I do for you"

     "Could you not tell anyone about this," I asked, " I don't want anyone to treat me differently."

       Mr. Van Camp assured me, " Don't you worry, this will stay between us."

     "Thank you" I sighed. And then, I headed to my desk and sat down to enjoy another entertaining class of English.