Dead Poets Society examines important ideas about growing up. Demonstrate how Peter Weir’s film does this.
An individual’s values and perspectives change as they grow up. Peter Weir’s 1989 film Dead Poets Society explores how individuality, freedom and independence shape the students’ views and behaviour as they navigate their way through a time of great change. As the boys mature they learn to overcome the expectations and pressures that have significantly impacted their lives. Mr Keating plays an important role in changing the boys’ perceptions which ultimately leads to their character development.
Dead Poets Society examines how adolescence is a time of pressure to live up to society’s, especially our parents’, standards which can negatively …show more content…
After the assembly at the beginning of the film, Mr Nolan tells Todd “You have some big shoes to fill, young man. Your brother was one of our finest”. The use of a close-up shot of Mr Nolan in this scene emphasises how intimidating the school’s expectations is from Todd’s perspective. His pressures of excelling are further heightened by the expectations his parents impose on him. The desk set that Todd receives from his parents on his birthday is symbolic for the pressures his parents force onto him. When Todd throws the desk set off the building, it represents his sense of freedom from his parent’s pressures and expectations. In the scene where Neil’s father forces Neil to quit the play, the close up of Neil’s face shows he is angered by his father’s wish. The alternating close up shots of Neil and his …show more content…
The repetition of “carpe diem” throughout the film conveys how Mr Keating’s phrase has inspired and motivated the boys to carry out rebellious or daring actions that challenges what their parents impose on them. This highlights how adolescence is a time of new experiences which are important for shaping an individual’s attitude and sense of identity. The first rebellious act carried out by the group of boys is when they are sneaking out to reconvene the Dead Poets Society. When they are sneaking out the background music is mysterious which adds to the effect of how secretive they must be so that they do not get caught. The boys’ characters begin to change as they become more independent and challenge school rules. Todd’s loud courageous behaviour in the closing scene contrasts with his quiet shy nature at the beginning of the film indicating his significant shift in behaviour and character. In this scene Todd wanted to demonstrate how Mr Keating inspired and motivated him to become a more confident and brave person. The low camera angle shot of the boys standing on the tables in the closing scene and the contrast of them with their sitting classmates distinguishes the boys’ courageous behaviour and empowerment that they have gained through Mr Keating’s influence. By the end of Dead Poets Society, it is clear that Mr Keating has a
An individual’s values and perspectives change as they grow up. Peter Weir’s 1989 film Dead Poets Society explores how individuality, freedom and independence shape the students’ views and behaviour as they navigate their way through a time of great change. As the boys mature they learn to overcome the expectations and pressures that have significantly impacted their lives. Mr Keating plays an important role in changing the boys’ perceptions which ultimately leads to their character development.
Dead Poets Society examines how adolescence is a time of pressure to live up to society’s, especially our parents’, standards which can negatively …show more content…
After the assembly at the beginning of the film, Mr Nolan tells Todd “You have some big shoes to fill, young man. Your brother was one of our finest”. The use of a close-up shot of Mr Nolan in this scene emphasises how intimidating the school’s expectations is from Todd’s perspective. His pressures of excelling are further heightened by the expectations his parents impose on him. The desk set that Todd receives from his parents on his birthday is symbolic for the pressures his parents force onto him. When Todd throws the desk set off the building, it represents his sense of freedom from his parent’s pressures and expectations. In the scene where Neil’s father forces Neil to quit the play, the close up of Neil’s face shows he is angered by his father’s wish. The alternating close up shots of Neil and his …show more content…
The repetition of “carpe diem” throughout the film conveys how Mr Keating’s phrase has inspired and motivated the boys to carry out rebellious or daring actions that challenges what their parents impose on them. This highlights how adolescence is a time of new experiences which are important for shaping an individual’s attitude and sense of identity. The first rebellious act carried out by the group of boys is when they are sneaking out to reconvene the Dead Poets Society. When they are sneaking out the background music is mysterious which adds to the effect of how secretive they must be so that they do not get caught. The boys’ characters begin to change as they become more independent and challenge school rules. Todd’s loud courageous behaviour in the closing scene contrasts with his quiet shy nature at the beginning of the film indicating his significant shift in behaviour and character. In this scene Todd wanted to demonstrate how Mr Keating inspired and motivated him to become a more confident and brave person. The low camera angle shot of the boys standing on the tables in the closing scene and the contrast of them with their sitting classmates distinguishes the boys’ courageous behaviour and empowerment that they have gained through Mr Keating’s influence. By the end of Dead Poets Society, it is clear that Mr Keating has a