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Miss Jean Brodie, Dead Poets Society, and The Trial and

Death of Socrates

 

      These three works share numerous similarities.  The most obvious of

these is their character's desire and commitment to instructing and teaching

youth.  Miss Jean Brodie dedicated a major part of her life to "her girls".  She

would have done anything to help them.  As time went along, she grew too close

to them.  As we saw, she was eventually betrayed by one of her own girls.  She

had her heart in the right place.  She never did anything maliciously toward the

girls.  She did not realize that there was a need to draw a line.  It is too bad

that she was treated as though she had done something wrong.  The headmaster

should have directed her venom at someone who was more deserving.

 

      Professor Keating  is another who had his pupils best interests at heart.

 His teaching methods were eccentric, but his point always came across loud and

clear.  He was idolized by his students.  In a school of such dignity and

staunchness, his approach was a breath of fresh air.  He was never afraid to put

himself on the line if it meant that his students were to gain.  This was no

more evident than with the Dead Poets Society.  He knew that if it were ever

uncovered by the faculty higher-ups his job would be, at least, in serious

jeopardy.  This is another case of needless persecution of someone with the best

of intentions.  It is ridiculous to think that he could have been implicated in

any way to the suicide of one of his students.  Firing Professor Keating was the

biggest disservice that the administration could have done to the student body.

 

      The most extreme case of this senseless persecution is that of Socrates.

Here is a man of little means.  His only desire was to try to enlighten others,

as well as himself.  Was this not a noble cause?  His demeanor was rough at

times, but his intentions were still pure.  How can you punish, much less put to

death, a man such as Socrates?  Apparently the jury knew.  Their decision to

convict and kill Socrates was outrageous.  It can probably be best compared to

Tienimen Square.  Anyone who dares to challenge the norm or go against authority

they will be crushed.  Socrates should have escaped and taught elsewhere.  His

aim was to enlighten and to be enlightened; neither of which can he achieve from

the grave.

 

      Miss Jean Brodie, Dead Poets Society, and The Trial and Death of

Socrates all share one thing.  They each had a protagonist that was well liked

by his or her students, had their students best interests at heart, and was

eventually punished for their caring and dedication.

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