Embrace Rosebuds Whilst You Can: 'Dead Poets Society' Highlights Art's Potent Impact
Rethinkin' the Rat Race:
Yo, let's cut to the chase, we're all mobbin' towards the future, ain't we? Books on our backs, parents' voices echoing in our ears - don't screw this up.
It's the 21st century, and it ain't no different. Kids across the globe are prepping their noggins for results. Study hard, snag a promising major, attend uni, study more, and pray you become a big cheese.
Got the 1989 film Dead Poets Society on the brain? You see the connection between that classic flick, its lovely messages, and the dull academic stress that's been oppressing students for way too long?
At first glance, Dead Poets Society may seem like just a tale about a pack of rebellious but brilliant boarding school kids. But there's more to it than meets the eye. This film directed by the one and only Peter Weir is a rollercoaster ride through self-discovery, freedom, and the inevitable collision between romance and reality. Here's the gist of the story:
The movie opens on the first day of a fresh school year, and the boys at Welton Academy (dubbed 'Hellton' by the students) are jerked back into reality with a wake-up call. They bear the burden of those 4 pillars - tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence. Life at this prestigious academy is about as fun as a root canal, and the boys are just itching for a taste of freedom. Enter Mr. Keating, their new English teacher.
Mr. Keating isn't your average educator. He bursts onto the scene spitting the words of Robert Herrick's famous poem - "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may" - and tells the students they're food for worms, destined to stop breathing, turn cold, and die. His message? Make each and every day extraordinary. Seize the day, and never have regrets. It's radical, it's wild, but Mr. Keating's unusual lessons make the boys (and us) question - how far have we gone for success, and how much of ourselves have we sacrificed to fit into the crowd?
Okay, okay, art ain't everyone's cup of tea. It's unpredictable, mysterious, and mostly worthless when it comes to makin' a quick buck. Poetry, music, and drama - steppin' stones on the path for a secure future, right? But art, my friends, is more than just a fancy pastime. It's freedom, a language that speaks straight to the heart, and priceless thanks to its originality.
Enter the protagonists - Neil Perry and Todd Anderson. Two complex characters that'll make you wanna holler. Both boys know that careers in science and business have better job prospects than you can shake a stick at. But they also recognize that there ain't no room for art in a world constantly evolving with science and technology.
Neil Perry's got a lousy dad who expects nothing short of perfection from his boy. He's spent his whole life suppressin' his desires just to keep his father happy. Any pushback is instantly shut down by his dad's sharp tongue and a reminder of the sacrifices the old man made for Neil.
Now, Todd Anderson is striving to keep up with his brother's shine. It's unclear what his folks want from him, but he's stuck playin' second fiddle whether he likes it or not.
With their newfound inspiration from Mr. Keating and each other, Neil and Todd decide it's time to take charge of their lives. Neil tries out for a play outside of school and scores the lead in A Midsummer Night's Dream, concealing it from his dad and the unsuspecting school faculty. Todd embraces poetry as a means of expressing his emotions and finally shakes off the shell that's been keeps him stuck in his rut. Their love of art empowers them to break free from academic pressures and discover a newfound sense of self.
The rest of the Welton boys start contractin' a case of the rebellion, organizing secret meetings in a cave to share poems and ideas. They soon discover a freedom they never knew they were missin' - the ability to express their vulnerabilities and connect with others in a way they never could before. When they clad themselves in cloaks, strap on instruments, and recite poems under the cover of the forest's fog, they officially name themselves the 'Dead Poets'.
Art may not be everyone's bag, but there's no denyin' it's freein'. Its power to channel our deepest emotions and celebrate the things that keep us alive is what makes it priceless. Shakespeare, Beethoven, and their compatriots weren't just tryin' to please the masses when they crafted their masterpieces. They were communicatin' their innermost feelings and experiences - every word a testament to the human experience. Art takes the number one spot on the pedestal of self-expression - the expression of our inner turmoil, unrestrained passion, and everything worth livin' for.
And guess what, folks? That's Mr. Keating's exact message to his students: "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we're part of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion."
Art ain't just for English class. It's much more than fancy words on a page. Art's a way to express our hearts and revel in what makes us human. So go ahead and paint, sing, dance, and write. Embrace the beauty that art offers, 'cause, at the end of the day, science, logic, and law may help us survive, but art and love are what help us thrive.
Tragically, the movie ends with a big fat chunk of dread. When Neil's secret passion for art is revealed to his dad, he feels his dreams being snatched away. With no other options, Neil takes his own life. The death of Neil, the beloved shining star of the Dead Poets, strikes a chord with the audience, an uneasy reminder that life ain't always pretty and sometimes people are unwilling to let go of tradition... even when it means squashin' the spark of the human spirit.
Sadly, although the film emphasizes the importance of free thinkin' and indulgencin' in art, it doesn't sugarcoat the harsh reality that external voices will always try to squash our individuality. The fight to be our own person will always be an uphill battle, and cryin' out for freedom is often met with resistance. The academy attempts to save its face by blaming Mr. Keating for the tragic turn of events, but the remaining Dead Poets swear they'll never forget their captain's lessons.
Art ain't just decoration, folks. It's a way to celebrate what makes us human. So go paint, sing, and dance, 'cause that's what we live for. May we all remember to seize the day, embrace our passions, and find our freedom.
P.S. - Art ain't for the faint of heart, and romanticism ain't always gonna win out, but it's worth fightin' for.
- The spotlight is on personal growth, as we navigate the future, with books in our hands and echoes of parental advice in our minds.
- In the 21st century, the opinion lingers that success can only be achieved through a promising major and a university education.
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