The Dead Poets Society

The Dead Poets Society

Personally, I wasn't too sure where this movie was going. Robin Williams made an excellent teacher in the movie. I was really confused as to who the main character was supposed to be though. At first I thought it was Ethan Hawk's character Todd. But at the end I was confused, because I thought it could be Neil or Mr. Keating.

"Carpe Diem," I felt was the theme of the story. As many others probably do too. Mr. Keating's teachings in the movie really got me to think about my own life. Especially when he said "suck the marrow out of life." Not many of us take advantage of what we do have. There are many people who constantly tell themselves that they can't do things, they truly want to do. When you're young you have a clean slate in front of you, you can make any thing out of it. You can make anything happen. Mr. Keating taught the boys this, by showing them they can "march to the beat of their own drum." I loved his exercise in the court yard. It's true that when you follow someone, are around the same people, and always told the same things, you begin to blend in and fall into conformity. I don't believe the boys really saw this until that moment.

When Neil decided he wanted to be in the play I was surprised and proud that he didn't care what the others would think or say. I don't believe it was noble of him to forge his father's letter though. However, he knew if he didn't he would never get to follow his dreams and I respect that. I personally would probably not done that, but times are different now. I knew that Neil was never going to tell his father, and I think when Mr. Keating asked him if he had, he knew he was being lied to.

After the play I had hoped that Mr. Perry would be proud of his son, but I guess I was wrong. I can't believe that a parent could look into their child's face and dismiss their dreams like they didn't matter in the least bit. Neil didn't want to be a doctor and his parents should have respected that. Yet, I don't think Neil handled it in the right manner either. I think that he should have tried to talk to his father. Death for Neil was the easy way out, but I don't think he thought it could be left on Mr. Keating's shoulders.

Mr. Keating was a great influence on those boy's