An Attack on Our Psychological Well-Being

In my opinion, "Dead Poet's Society" is one of those rare movies where viewers of all ages can learn a lesson.  Mr. Keating's character, played by Robin Williams, is one of those teachers that a student will never forget.  His teaching style was unique, and made an impact on the boys' lives at the boarding school.  He applied real life situations and lessons to the poetry he was teaching.  He taught them things like: do what you love and makes you happy, follow your dreams, and be who you want to be.  The boys grasped his teaching and took it to heart.   It truly made an impact on their lives.  It was no ordinary English class.

Mr. Keating gave hope to the boys in a place where they were forced to conform, whether to their parents, peers, or school administrators.  He taught them the phrase "Carpe Diem," or "Seize the Day."  The boys always remembered this, and used it as strength to stray from actions they would usually take in effect of fear or appeasing other people.  For example, Knox Overstreet, goes out on a limb to try to woo the "girl of his dreams," even though  she has a big, burly, violent, inconsiderate boyfriend who beats him up at a party because he kisses the girl's forehead.  He truly loves her, while the boyfriend does not.  This is why he succeeds in getting the girl at the end, an example that not conforming can have postive outcomes.  Another example would be in regards to Neil Perry.  Even though his mother and father were stern about him becoming a doctor, the boy went against their wishes because of his passion for acting.  He was explaining to Todd Anderson, his roommate, that his reasoning was backed up by the famous quote Keating had taught them.  His parents utterly disapprove of his choice.  They take him home and inform Neil that he has been enrolled in a military school and will become a doctor, sans acting.  At this point, Neil loses his gumption.  He will not fully explain to his parents what he is feeling, therefore conforming.  Any hope that the boy has at this point vanishes, and he kills himself.  The only light at the boarding school, besides friendship, was their relationship with Mr. Keating.  "Captain's" influence on the boys was blamed for Neil's suicide, and he is terminated from the school.  The boys are forced to conform in the way that they were forced to sign a petition saying that Keating was the reason things went wrong.  In reality, the school and boys were being selfish and simply looking for a scapegoat. 

The lasting image the movie leaves with us is the boys in the English classroom.  The headmaster has taken over the English class, and he is teaching the topics Keating refused to cover as he gathers his personal belongings.  The students, especially Todd Anderson, hate the fact that they are seeing the last of their beloved teacher.  One by one, they begin to stand on their desks saying "O Captain, My Captain," as a tribute to him, rebelling against the orders of the headmaster. 

The movie clearly exhibits my conclusion:
Conformity is an attack on our psychological well-being. 

Every time something bad happens in the movie (Neil's suicide, Keating's termination), it is a negative result of conforming.  Everything good that happens (Dead Poet's Society, a class in school that they enjoy, Knox winning a girl's heart) is a result of not doing what society expects of you, but doing what makes you happy & what you believe in.  The stress of doing what everyone else wants you to do is not good for your mental health.  You are always anxious, worried, and trying to do things that you don't want or need to do.  It's like living up to expectations that you don't understand. 

The lesson that should have been taken from this movie-
To Kids: Do what you love, say what you mean, be unique
To Adults: If you love your children (like most do), let them be their own person, or they'll be miserable


This movie can be directly related to The Awakening by Kate Chopin, and Edna's suicide.  Edna did not ever conform to what society expected her to be.  Her whole being was supposed to be made up of mother, wife, and daughter.  She rebelled against everyone's expectations and her responsibilities from beginning to end.  Edna experiences her awakening at the ocean when she first learns to swim.  It is something she always wanted to learn and do.  She saw that she could do it on her own, and she didn’t need a husband, or anyone else, to accomplish this.  Through this experience, she gains power for herself, and become in possession of her own body and soul.  She feels that there is no other way to live without conforming, or becoming an outcast, so she committs suicide.  This hopelessness is very similiar to Neil's situation.  They both can't live happily, so they give up.  Like I said before, conformity is an attack on our psychological health....In my opinion, Neil and Edna both go crazy in their instances.  I understand SOME of their reasoning, but do not at all agree that suicide, and leaving friends, family, and children behind was the right choice whatsoever.

In modern society, the movie "The Blind Side" is a real-life story of how ignoring conformity's grasp can be an extremely positive thing.  Michael Ore grew up in a place where he was told he would never be anything.  He lived in the slums, was poor and uneducated, had no opportunities, no real family, and no unhidden talents.  His friend Marcus conformed to what he was told and followed the "gangster" life.  This obviously resulted in a negative life for the fellow.  Ore, on the other hand, accepted much help to improve his intelligence, social skills, and athleticism.  He learned how to trust, and love other people.  He got into college with a football scholarship.  He became part of a family.  He became a professional football player.  His whole life changed when everyone up until his new family told him he couldn't do it.  Those few people believed in him enough to give him the strength to erase the thoughts that people pounded into his mind and make something of himself.