Dead Poets Society Analysis free essay sample

However, Mr. Keating believes that if they do this, all the students will hate school because they have nothing to look forward to except more homework and more tests. Mr. Keating also becomes the only teacher whose students look forward to his class. Not only is he an amazing teacher, he also befriends many of his students, especially Neil Perry. At one point, Neil goes to Mr. Keating to find out what he should do when his father approaches him and tells him he was to drop out of the play. Neil never would have even thought to ask him had Mr. Keating not made a conscious effort to befriend him. Neil knew that if he asked any of the other teachers, they would side with his father and tell him to drop out as well. He went to Mr. Keating because he always told his class to seize the day. We will write a custom essay sample on Dead Poets Society Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This was Neils way of seizing the day; he found the one thing that he wanted to do, and Mr. Keating supported it. Even though some speculate that it was Mr. Keating who encouraged Neil to commit suicide, it was not. It could be blamed on any number of things, but it is very clear that Mr. Perry pushed Neil to end his own life, and it was unfair when Mr. Keating was extracted from the school’s administration. Dead Poets Society Analysis free essay sample The boys form the DPS for various reasons. First is the attraction to the activities. Keating romantically describes the DPS as a rebellious and mysterious gathering for reading poetry, wooing women, and creating gods. Neil, a student suppressed and controlled by his father, finds the risk of breaking rules attractive, for he sees it as a way to establish his own identity and regain control over his life. Charlie joins for a similar sense of adventure. The other students are not so eager to engage in risky activities and are reluctant to join. Charlie and Neil persuade, pressure, and negotiate to get these students to take part in the DPS. Norms are established at the first meeting (some are adopted from Keatings suggestions). They include the time (after lights-out at Welton) and location (a local cave) of the meetings, as well as the opening ritual of reading a Thoreau poem. We will write a custom essay sample on Dead Poets Society Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Rebellious behavior (e. g. , smoking, drinking) is encouraged and a ritual dance is developed. It is agreed that Todd will be the clubs secretary because he does not like to read aloud. Storming occurs when Charlie announces that he wrote a letter to the school newspaper requesting that girls be admitted to Weltonand signed it from the DPS. This causes dissension because he did not ask for the others opinions on the matter and because it calls attention to the secret club. Charlie shows loyalty to his friends and assumes responsibility for his actions by taking the punishment for the letter. Similar acts of loyalty and support regarding Neils acting, Knoxs pursuit of a girlfriend, and Todds assertiveness are the essential ingredients of the groups performing stage. Neils suicide puts the club to the test as the administration coerces members to blow the whistle on each other and on Mr. Keating. This leads to more storming within the DPS and causes marginal members such as Cameron (Kussman) to abandon their loyalty. Although all the members except Charlie sign the confession statement that is forced upon them, the core members of the DPS remain cohesive. They perform one final rebellious act together: standing on their desks and acknowledging Keating as their captain.