Now, on to the actual reflection.
What is the film’s attitude towards youth? How does the film deal with the theme of ‘growing up’?
The film depicts youth as a time of opportunities and decisions. This can be seen as the film leaves its viewers with 2 words, even after the film has ended: Carpe Diem.
This phrase is constantly repeated by the characters in the movie, which reminds us to 'Seize the Day'. This suggests that youth is a time when many opportunities will pass you by, and one must make a choice so as to grab the opportunity before it escapes.
The film gives us the idea that 'growing up' is not something many individuals look forward to, despite it being inevitable. For one, the movie depicts Neil as a boy whose future has been written in stone by his father. From what Mr. Keatings has said, I feel like he hated growing up. He would try to destroy any evidence of his past, possibly because of how he missed the past. I would, to a certain extent, agree that growing up is rather painful. One loses many things when they grow, although they do gain some. However, the lost can rarely be reclaimed, which makes growing up a particularly painful process.
How does each of the boys below choose to ‘seize the day’? What is your opinion about their individual choices?
a) Neil Perry
b) Charlie Dalton
c) Knox Overstreet
d) Todd Anderson
Neil Perry made a simple choice. He chose to remain in the play and perform on the night of the performance. Under normal circumstances, this is a perfectly good decision. However, Neil chose to do it despite knowing how much his father disapproved of it. Furthermore, he lied to Mr. Keating and kept his father in the dark about his decision. The decision itself isn't wrong, it was what the decision led him to do that I find marginally acceptable.
Charlie Dalton, the on other hand, made a rather bold choice. He wanted girls to be allowed in the school, so he snuck an article into the school paper to fight for it. Furthermore, he played a prank in front of the entire school, claiming that God made a phonecall to the school, telling the principal to allow girls to enter the school. It was a terribly bold thing to do, but unbelievably stupid. I find this to be the worst decision made by the boys, as it shows a lack of thought put into the choice. I would consider this decision to be a show of bravado.
Know Overstreet chose to court a girl that he liked, despite her already having a boyfriend. I believe this is a very brave decision. For the sake of love, Knox met many obstacles, including Chris' boyfriend. Despite the difficulties, he pressed on, which I find is extremely admirable.
Finally, we have Todd Anderson. Todd wasn't a large focus in the movie, but he did seize the day when he started reciting a poem he though up on-the-spot. The display of raw potential was simply amazing, and he chose to hold onto his ability and began liking poetry. There are many that have potential, but some refuse to capitalise on their own potential. Todd did not like poetry at the beginning of the film, neither did he like speaking before many people. However, he changed when he knew he had a lot of potential to be a poet, he chose to change himself, which is a wonderful decision, in many ways.
What does the quote suggest about the relationship between man and nature? How does the film reinterpret this idea?
I believe the quote is telling us that living life naturally is the way to live life to the fullest. If you allow things around to affect the natural way of living, you will not be able to live a full life.
However, the film tells us otherwise. It tells us to turn away from the natural way of life and to change it. The way the boys chose to seize the day seems to be a way of encouraging viewers to do things you would not normally do, and stray from the path of life that is naturally determined. It tells us to make our own decisions and not be satisfied with what is given to us. To change how we would usually live so as to live a life that we will not regret. In short, the film tells us to choose our own future, and not stick with the life that others present to you.
What have you learnt from the film about conformity to societal conventions?
Conformity is sometimes important, but it is those who choose not to conform that are able to make a change. One needs to follow the standards of society most of the time, else one would be labelled 'abnormal'. However, what this standard is set by those who conform to the standards of society.
I have also learnt that conformity is one of the things that hold one back from their dreams. In the case of Neil, if he had listened to his father and conform himself to the expectations of aristocrats, he would never have been able to taste his dream. Although he did not live his dream for long, he was able to experience it, which may have been the beginning of a great actor.
It is those who do not conform that will stand out and maybe excel. If everyone follows what is expected of them, all would be the same, and nothing would be unique enough to stand out.
Compare your own relationship with your father (or mother) to the relationship Neil has with Mr Perry. In what ways are they similar / different?
Like most children, both Neil and I have parents that care for us and want the best for us. The only difference between our parents is the way they aim 'govern' us.
Neil has a very strict father who plans every bit of Neil's future for him. He is somewhat inflexible to changes and is harsh towards defiance.
On the other hand, my parents let me choose what I want to achieve in the future, with constant guidance to keep me on the right path. They are also less harsh towards me when I make mistakes or choose to do something my own way.
Compare the friendship you share with your friends to that of the relationship the members of the Dead Poets Society have with one another. In what ways are they similar / different?
Because the members of the Dead Poet's society spend more time together and do almost everything together, they are naturally closer to each other. As such, I would say that the friendship I share with my friends less strong, as compared to the friends in film. This can also be seen from how Charlie expected Cameron to keep quiet and keep the members of the Dead Poet's Society safe.
Still, the members of the Dead Poet's Society still do many things that I do with my friends. They help each other in studies, talk about each other's social lives, have fun and just stick together. However, they do stay together in almost everything, from reviving the Dead Poet's Society to standing up for Mr. Keatings.
Which of the poems quoted in the movie left the greatest impact on you? (Find the poem on www.poemhunter.com and attach it to this reflection.) Why?
The poem that left the greatest impact on me is definitely the one by Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken".
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
I believe this is a very deep poem. It reflects the message of the film rather clearly. This poem talks about conformity, and how we have a choice. It makes me remember that we can choose what we wish to do, and we do not always have to ride the bandwagon. In the end, it is the choice to be different that can make one's future very different.
Most important of all, it reminds me of the message of the film, which I find has a very powerful impact on me.
Overall, I find the film to be very entertaining and well made. There was humour mixed in at the appropriate scenes and the tragedy was not over dramatic. In short, it was simply excellent. I had expected a really boring film, but I was dead wrong.
