A theme is the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, or a person’s thoughts. Be it film, literature, or art, these practices always revolve around themes. In particular, the film Dead Poets Society (Peter Weir) revolves around a potpourri of themes. In comparison, the french poet Baudelaire has written many poems involving plenty of the same topics. Imagination and its power against the social norm is a striking theme in both Weir’s work and Baudelaire’s poem “Windows”. Right through to the end of the film, there are many examples of realism versus idealism. In Baudelaire’s poem “Benediction”, he revolves his writing around the idealism and realism of being a poet. Finally, humanity is a notable theme in the film as well as Baudelaire’s piece
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Mr. Keating argues against the idea of traditionalism within the academy, because it does nothing to bring out the hidden potential that he knows each of his students has. Keating states, “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world” (Weir). Near the end of the film, Mr. McAllister approaches Mr. Keating. McAllister condemns Keating for his artistic encouragement towards the boys. Keating simply wants the students to be ‘freethinkers’, so they can find their own way and make their own mark on the world. In the poem “Windows” Baudelaire makes an interesting statement, “he who looks through an open window sees fewer things than he who looks through a closed window” (Baudelaire). This can be directly linked to Keating’s challenge towards Todd. Baudelaire believes the imagination is a far more powerful tool than what’s already given to humanity. The next line goes on to say, “there is nothing more profound, more mysterious, more dazzling than a window lighted by a single candle” (Baudelaire). He suggests that an individual’s view or idea is a more complex and intense essence than anything that already exists. The final sentence, “what does outside reality matter to me, if my imagination has helped me to live, to feel what I am?” (Baudelaire) proposes the same idea as Keating, when he tells McAllister that “only in their dreams can men truly be free” (Weir). Obviously, both of these works strongly encourage the power of …show more content…
Ultimately, the film and “Windows” share a strong view on the
Piotrowska, 5 imagination and its power. Dead Poets Society strongly encourages idealism, as does “Benediction”, against realism. The topic of humanity is one briefly talked about, but both the film and “The Denial of Saint Peter” make a bold statement about its goodness. These are just a few of many themes involved in Dead Poets Society and Baudelaire’s works. All of these themes are often found in many pieces of literature, film, and even art. All in all, themes will always be there as subjects in an everyday conversation or simply one person’s
Mr. Keating argues against the idea of traditionalism within the academy, because it does nothing to bring out the hidden potential that he knows each of his students has. Keating states, “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world” (Weir). Near the end of the film, Mr. McAllister approaches Mr. Keating. McAllister condemns Keating for his artistic encouragement towards the boys. Keating simply wants the students to be ‘freethinkers’, so they can find their own way and make their own mark on the world. In the poem “Windows” Baudelaire makes an interesting statement, “he who looks through an open window sees fewer things than he who looks through a closed window” (Baudelaire). This can be directly linked to Keating’s challenge towards Todd. Baudelaire believes the imagination is a far more powerful tool than what’s already given to humanity. The next line goes on to say, “there is nothing more profound, more mysterious, more dazzling than a window lighted by a single candle” (Baudelaire). He suggests that an individual’s view or idea is a more complex and intense essence than anything that already exists. The final sentence, “what does outside reality matter to me, if my imagination has helped me to live, to feel what I am?” (Baudelaire) proposes the same idea as Keating, when he tells McAllister that “only in their dreams can men truly be free” (Weir). Obviously, both of these works strongly encourage the power of …show more content…
Ultimately, the film and “Windows” share a strong view on the
Piotrowska, 5 imagination and its power. Dead Poets Society strongly encourages idealism, as does “Benediction”, against realism. The topic of humanity is one briefly talked about, but both the film and “The Denial of Saint Peter” make a bold statement about its goodness. These are just a few of many themes involved in Dead Poets Society and Baudelaire’s works. All of these themes are often found in many pieces of literature, film, and even art. All in all, themes will always be there as subjects in an everyday conversation or simply one person’s