Mr. Keating

       

When a new English teacher comes to twist, bend and completely flip how classes are usually taught at the bland all boys private school. The film Dead Poets’ societies by Peter Weir, there are lots of themes presented such as: peer pressure, looking at things at a different point of view and friendship. These are all displayed by the boys in the private school.

Peer pressure happens every day everywhere you go. Almost always peer pressure is a terrible thing. Neil’s father crushes him under his fist until there is not a crack of light or hopes left, only the piercing sound of a single bullet. Not all is bad though, Todd Anderson is pressured into the dead poet society by Neil who becomes is best friend and brings I’m into their tight nit group of friends. This seems to be the only place he feels comfortable and welcome. Also his English teacher makes him stand in front of the class and make up a poem on the spot. His English teacher pushes and helps Todd to come out of his shell and over his fear and bring him confidence.

Stand on your desk and look around. Is it different? Now do that with your whole life. Does it change?  Taking a step back and looking from a different point of view is what the boys are taught on their first day of English. Every other class they drive into hour long lechers and piles of homework. Mr. Keating uses techniques that are unusual to this up tight school but by doing so he wins the boys minds and hearts. Being questioned by every other teacher in the school didn’t make him blink for a second. Mr. Keating knew by ripping out pages in books and playing soccer he would give them the best education possible while allowing them to be free and have fun while doing it.

Shutting people out leaves you alone and bitter. Todd did this for a long time, he was afraid and unsure of himself until Neil brought him into his friend group. Todd made friendships that would never die, a place where he was safe and could be himself. People were there for him when he needed it and when one of their own fell they stuck together through it. Neil was their leader and everyone felt the impact but nobody did as much as his friends that knew the truth about why he took his own life. This event will crush some people and drive them away or make friendships stronger, keeping the rest of the boys together.

Mr. Keating is blamed for the death of Neil and it makes the themes standout even more. You can see all he had done for the boys when they stand on their desks as he leaves and say “o captain! My captain.” He was a friend to them more than a teacher. Also he sometimes pressured them into things that made them grow as students and people. He showed them a different way of looking at learning along with a different way of looking at life.