In the film “Dead Poet’s Society”, it is evident that the major theme is conformity, which is perceived as keeping to accepted rules and regulations. There are various images of orthodoxy in numerous situations such as educational constraints in schools, students conforming to opinions of their teacher and also their new club, “The Dead Poets Society”. The ever tightening noose of conformity is portrayed as a dangerous and evil thing. It plays an evident part in this timeless drama and exercises influence on many individuals, but could it also hold the key to the discovery of one’s true self? Welton Academy is a prestigious and traditional institute with a strict policy based on realist administration.
The Art of Non-Conformity within the Dead Poet's Society By Nicola Irving Every aspect of Welton Academy points to the founders' beliefs: the necessity for conformity. ''Tradition, Honour, Discipline and Excellence'', expectations are defined by these four words. From the formal uniforms to the dull lessons and teachers, Welton is an authoritarian and rigid environment. The Dead Poet's Society highlights the eternal conflict between conformity and non-conformity. Mr. John Keating, the school's new English teacher, had fresh, idealistic and unorthodox teaching methods which he used to enrich the lives of many young men.
Prison or Opportunity There are many differences between the private school and the public school in the movie Dead Poets Society. The public high school is shown as fun, lively and free . While Welton Academy is portrayed as a rigid, prison like intuition that leaves the audience believing the school would be undesirable. The enclosed walls these boys are trapped behind forbids them from freedom of choice and freedom of speech, and keeps away any outside distractions. most may view this type of academic control as inhumane, I see it as an excellent chance to take advantage of a opurtunity that will guarantee academic advanement and securing a successful future.
English Literature Reaction Paper “Dead Man’s Path” By Chinua Achebe Chinua Achebe’s “Dead Man’s Path”, was a great story about a man who wanted to make a difference in education for children, and this difference that the main character Michael wanted to make ironically brought him to his demise. Michael was a pig-headed self indulgent individual; that never took anybody else’s beliefs or interests into account. In my opinion Michael is an educated man who cares most about his own success. He is also callous and ignorant to the beliefs and traditions to the new community he is in. When Michael tells one of the teachers he saw someone walking through the schools property; the teacher tells him that it’s normal that the people of the village use it as a cut through because it connects the village shrine to the sacred burial place.
This shows that in life you can’t conform to a group, you must be yourself and have a mind of your own. Secondly, the film demonstrates that looking at something from a new perspective can often change the thing itself. For example, during one of Mr. Keating's classes he told his students to stand on top of their desk so that they can have a new perspective of their surroundings. This shows that it’s important to have your own view of things you encounter in your life. Thirdly, Dead Poets Society teaches students the importance of forming your own opinion.
Brian pretended that he wasn’t a virgin to impress Bender. During the circle time, Claire freaked out with the group’s perception of her. Throughout the movie, Bender acted nothing less than the “bad-boy” perception he so desires to give off. One of the main struggles during the course of this movie, besides a struggle for power and leadership, was a struggle to give off a good impression to the others in the group. Not only did the five students struggle for power, but they and the principle and the janitor were in a changing and dynamic situation where power shifted among all involved.
The teacher as master wields all the power (knowledge), continually demonstrating their superiority by assuming students are not knowledgeable. The student (slave) ignorantly never realizes his own value to the teacher, instead he readily submits to the belief of his own inferiority. Freire writes, “The teacher presents himself to his students as their necessary opposite; by considering their ignorance absolute, he justifies his own existence” (Freire 6). This style of educating is narrative and lacking interactive concepts. The primary information delivery method is narrative; “His task is to ‘fill’ the students with the contents of his narration” (Freire 2).
They would boast about the weeks and months they could go without putting pen to paper. They resented the school trying to take control over their time - they constantly tried to win ‘symbolic and physical space from the institution and its rules’. While avoiding working, the lads kept themselves entertained with ‘irreverent marauding misbehaviour’. ‘Having a laff’ was a particular high priority. Willis described some of the behaviour that resulted: During films in the hall they tie the projector leads into impossible knots, make animal figures or obscene shapes on the screen with their fingers, and gratuitously dig and jab the backs of the ‘ear ‘oles’ in front of them.
The education system where “little vessels” are “ready to have imperial gallons of facts poured into them” is the product of a system that claims that people should act only according to their self-interest. Mr. M’Choakumchild acknowledges and supports this as he declares, “You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them.” Dickens ironically names this character “Mr. M’Choakumchild” as he attempts to suffocate the imagination and feelings from these unfortunate children. It also suggests that the system is not as accurate as they may think.
Keller recognises this about Paul immediately, describing him as ''spoilt'' and challenging him with the notion that he does not ''understand that [he] does not understand''. At school, Paul acknowledged his attitude, describing himself as ''irredeemably smug'' and ensuring that ''the plodders'' knew he was superior to them. Seeing something of his younger self in Paul's excessive pride, Keller attempts to teach Paul the nature of humanity through humility. However, ''Growing ever fonder at the sound of [his] own voice'', Paul is not receptive. Keller's halting,