Dead Poets Society: Finding Your Voice
Lately I’ve been watching clips from the movie, Dead Poets Society (1989). That movie is perfect for discussing literature and learning how to discover meanings for life. So, let’s take a journey back to 1959 shall we…
The story begins in a private school in New England in 1959. Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) is starting his academic career as a senior at Welton Academy. He is introduced to roommate, the outgoing and academically successful Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard). Todd is shy, self-defeating, and reserved, which Neil sees as an opportunity to bring out the best in Todd. Neil’s father is hellbent on Neil being a doctor and succeeding in school, leaving Neil feeling like he has to live up to his father’s expectations.
Todd then meets Neil’s friend group: Knox, Charlie, Cameron, Pitts, and Meeks. English class is a class that all the boys have together and is taught by Mr. John Keating (Robin Williams). Mr. Keating encourages his students to live life to the fullest and break societies norms of conformity, carpe diem. Todd, however, does not feel he will amount to anything, and fears being embarrassed in front of other people. Neil calls him out on this and when Todd tells him to butt out, Neil says no. A real friend challenges us to break the norms and do something with our lives.
