Individualism

Throughout the movie, Dead Poet’s Society, the strict all boys’ school is determined to keep each boy in line. The boys are given difficult classes, dorms, and free time that consist of more schooling. Everything is done together and no foolish activities are tolerated. It is hard for those boys’ who want to have fun and to be boys. Their parents set heavy burdens on the boys for their future and have power to alter it whenever they please. The boys are born into conformity, a way of living that has no individual choice or option. But when Mr. Keating waltzed into the picture as the boys’ new teacher, a sense of freedom filled the air. As he taught, he encouraged the boys’ to think for themselves and to not box themselves in by what outside forces told them to. Many boys, such as Neil Perry, were influenced by his teaching. Neil took the lessons and interpreted them as a sign to take his dream of acting into his own hands. He wanted to do something for himself, despite his father’s strict orders to not participate in acting. In conclusion, the boys were striving to find themselves instead of listening to other outside forces.  That’s what the author/director was trying to portray in the movie: Individualism.