Dead Poets Society Essay

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Dead Poets Society Evaluation
The movie Dead Poets Society begins on the first day of the new school year at Welton’s Boys Academy, in 1950’s New England. Among the students comes a transfer, Todd Anderson, who was expected to be as exemplary as his brother who had previously attended. Returning to the academy for another year is Neil Perry; after a summer of extra classes pushed onto him by his father. Along with the students comes John Keating; a former Welton honor student, and now English teacher.
Keating, however has a unique approach to education not seen anywhere at Welton. Teaching his students (carpe diem) self-expression and self-thought, rather than the hard singlemindedness and conformity Welton is known for. The carpe diem influence …show more content…

Perry on the other hand is show to want Neil to succeed and go to medical school even going as far as to restrict Neil. Unclear as to whether he just wanted Neil to succeed or do what he could not, Mr. Perry attempts to control Neil’s life, even stating Neil had to listen to him until “after medical school.” Discovering Neil had lied to him Mr. Perry tell Neil to withdraw from the play, the day before the performance as he lied to his own father. Neil feeling repressed decides he must be himself and wants to express himself and not be controlled by his father. After his performance, Mr. Perry drags Neil home; and in a fit of rage tells Neil he is being sent to a military school. With his only taste of independence denied, Neil in a final act to, assumedly, be himself commits suicide; and in turn ended the dream his father sought as well. Everything was a result of Mr. Perry being too harsh on Neil and not having any understanding of what his son wanted, only what he himself wanted for his …show more content…

Attending Welton as a transfer he is looked upon by many, including his parents to be the same as his brother. Todd, being the younger child, was in the shadow of his brother; Todd’s parents looked upon him as a reflection of his brother and expected much out of him. As much is placed upon him Todd is a quiet person who was, at first, scared to interact with anyone. This included his own roommate Neil Perry. After being pushed by Neil, Todd joined the Dead Poets Society and wrote poetry for Keating’s class. In time Todd broke out of his shell and began to make friends within the Society after realizing they didn’t expect him to be anyone. Taking Keating teachings to heart Todd understood he had to control what he wanted, and to not let it control

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