Rejection of Authority, Self Reliance

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The movie The Dead Poets Society centers around Todd Anderson, a shy, unassuming student at the Welton Academy for Boys. Todd, his new roomate Neil, as well as what seems to be the majority of the boys at Welton Academy, are under a lot pressure from their parents to achieve great things in school and beyond, this means Ivy League Schools, and becoming doctors, lawyers, or whatever else their parent’s hearts desire. A new poetry teacher named Mr. Keating joins the school. He teaches the boys more than just poetry, instilling in them life lessons such as “carpe diem,” ‘or seize the day.’ Neil, inspired by these teachings auditions for a play, even though he knows his father would disapprove. Neil seems to uncover his repressed feelings of individualism, and rejection of authority. He discovers who he is: an actor. And he does so against the wishes of his father, or the main form of authority in his life. Neil flourishes under his new life philosophy, getting the leading role in the play he auditioned for. As suspected however, Neil’s father disapproves, and to such an extent that he pulls Neil out of the academy. Neil, unable to give up his new identity commits suicide. In the end, it is his individualism that kills him. Throughout the movie, Todd shows only small developments in character, he seems to have a genuine desire to seize the day, but he is afraid to try, being unable to rely on himself. Mr. Keating is blamed for Neil’s suicide. Todd cannot stand to see his favorite teacher so disgraced, and as Mr. Keating leaves after emptying out his classroom, Todd, the most unassuming boy in class, plants his feet firmly on his desk in front of everyone and cries out “O’ Captain, my Captain!” This is a big feat for Todd, as he rejects the authority of the school, his parents, and the status quo that have loomed over him his whole life in order to do what he believes to be morally right, displaying a tremendous amount of self reliance.

 

The Dead Poet's Society