The Influences on Todd’s Growth “Are you a man or an amoeba?” Mr. Keating asked Todd Anderson when Todd didn’t answer his simple question in front of the class. In the beginning of the movie, it seemed that Todd was more like an amoeba than a man. It didn’t appear that Todd reacted to any of Keating’s words, nor did Todd speak up in class. Todd’s only goal was to live up to his brother’s standards because that is what his parents wanted, even though he and his brother were not alike. Todd’s Maslovian need of belonging was not being met by his parents, as they only paid attention to the success of his brother. This meant that his upper level needs of esteem and self-actualization were not being met either, so Todd could not grow as a person.
…show more content…
While Neil is forced to deal with issues of his own throughout the movie, he still does what he can to help build Todd’s confidence and help him belong. One example is when Neil asks the others to let Todd join the Dead Poets Society even if he doesn’t read. While this seems like a small gesture for Neil, it makes a huge impact on Todd because he can be with others and a part of the group, and he doesn’t have to face his fear of speaking. This allows Todd to grow because he is able to meet his belonging need without jumping to the next level of esteem need immediately. Another important scene comes when Todd is sitting alone on the bridge with his parents’ present: the same desk set he received the year before. When Neil offers reasons why they gave him the same set, Todd just says, “Maybe they weren’t thinking at all.” This alludes to his parents not caring as much about him as they do about his more successful brother. Neil cheers Todd up by throwing the desk set into the stream, symbolically showing Todd that he doesn’t have to follow what his parents have planned for him. By including Todd in his group of friends and lessening the impact Todd’s parents lack of attention has on Todd, Neil satisfies Todd’s need to belong without pushing him to face his fears. This gives Todd the opportunity to become more
While Neil is forced to deal with issues of his own throughout the movie, he still does what he can to help build Todd’s confidence and help him belong. One example is when Neil asks the others to let Todd join the Dead Poets Society even if he doesn’t read. While this seems like a small gesture for Neil, it makes a huge impact on Todd because he can be with others and a part of the group, and he doesn’t have to face his fear of speaking. This allows Todd to grow because he is able to meet his belonging need without jumping to the next level of esteem need immediately. Another important scene comes when Todd is sitting alone on the bridge with his parents’ present: the same desk set he received the year before. When Neil offers reasons why they gave him the same set, Todd just says, “Maybe they weren’t thinking at all.” This alludes to his parents not caring as much about him as they do about his more successful brother. Neil cheers Todd up by throwing the desk set into the stream, symbolically showing Todd that he doesn’t have to follow what his parents have planned for him. By including Todd in his group of friends and lessening the impact Todd’s parents lack of attention has on Todd, Neil satisfies Todd’s need to belong without pushing him to face his fears. This gives Todd the opportunity to become more