Todd Anderson in The Dead Poets Society

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The pressure sets in as grains of sand erratically flutter through the hourglass. Exactly thirteen-seconds remain until the next opponent gets a chance to strike the buzzer and enunciate their answer. The difference between throwing in the towel and voicing an opinion separates gaining no money, or accepting a copious amount of cash. Seconds dwindle away until the competitor overcomes her fear of verbalizing her thoughts and proudly opens her clenched jaw to reveal the correct answer. This change over a period of time symbolizes turning from a realist to a romantic thinker, not afraid to separate themselves from the uniform and brainwashed world of individuals tentative to say what is needed to say. Such an individual is Todd Anderson, a young scholar attending Welton Academy in the move Dead Poets Society. Like minuscule grains of sand fluttering through an hourglass, Todd starts his journey at Welton a misunderstood adolescent, but soon sheds the layers of fear from his back, and changes into a courageous man with a bright future ahead of him.

The hour glass begins to release granules of sand when we are introduced to Todd Anderson at the inception of the movie. Forthwith, we apprehend that Todd is a timid brother, who according to a teacher “has big shoes to fill” based off of the teachers previous knowledge of the Anderson family. Furthermore, we can tell that not just his family, but other adults too, are brainwashing Todd into establishing a realist philosophy. Basically, he is being forced to walk in the footsteps of his elders, and to be just as honorable and witty as they were. Stuttering is an additional worry of Todd’s. Not taking a lead has been the story of his life thereupon birth. At the start of the movie, his st...

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...feeling of being a leader in this scene, which shows the dynamic of this courageous character. Along with self-confidence, Todd does not stutter, a sign that his change is final. There is no turning back now.

The movie, Dead Poets Society truly captures the essence of the conformities that children are facing. The difference is letting the hourglass run out of time, or making the best of time, facing tough challenges along the way. Todd Anderson makes the best out of his time thanks to the teaching of Mr. Keating, his beloved English teacher. From a misunderstood adolescent to a courageous man, Todd shows his true colors and releases the inferior thoughts stirring up in his developing, young body. In the end, romanticism crushes idealism with power and envy, showing the eye-opening ways that a teacher can contribute to such a tightly wound academy such as Welton.

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