Dead Poets Society Analysis

Disclaimer : This is just a very brief and simple discussion by me. I believe that there are many others more in-depth studies present elsewhere if you are really interested in the film. I personally haven't done much study(I feel) on the film, and the thoughts I present are purely personal... So please don't sue me!

I feel that the film is trying to tell us that the true human life strives for total Romanticism.

'What is Romanticism?' you may ask. Keating mentions in the film that the people in DPS were romantics. Actually, people who believe in Romanticism are called romanticists instead. Basically, it's about giving full play to your imagination and individuality. A bit like Eudaemonism! This contrasts with Realism, which is like more practical and standard...

Let me cite evidence from the film to substantiate my view:
(1) Choice of poetry - I'm not very good at poetry honestly, but I do feel that those appearing in the film carry very strong themes and messages. Messages which mirror what Keating teaches.
(2) Keating's lessons - They represent the narration in the film. And they serve to highlight the message of the film. Namely:
First lesson - 'all going to die, carpe diem, make your lifes extraordinary'
Football lesson - 'make other human beings push us to excel'
Ripping out intro - 'poetry cannot be measured by rhyme or meter'
Stand on desk - 'see things from a different perspective'
Poetry recital - 'just don't let it be ordinary'
Courtyard marching - 'dangers of conformity, need to find your own voice'
Last lesson - 'words can never contain as music does, the unsayable grace that cannot be defined'
Quote from Keating - "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, 'O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless -- of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?' Answer. That you are here -- that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?"

However, the film also presents to us what I term the 'hazards' of romanticism.

Film evidence:
(1) Neil's Suicide - Not very well executed I feel. I would have done it with Neil/Puck getting shot by his father during the play instead(Murder of romanticism by realism)!!! But the fellow just had to die, just as Knox had to get the girl. Neil was the main character(in terms of plot) so far, and his death climaxes the film.
(2) Sending-off of Keating - Keating becomes the scapegoat for Neil's death in his quest to educate the students on Romanticism.
(3) Explusion of Charlie - Foreshadowed by (5). Again something which had to happen.
(4) Beating up of Knox - Slightly dubious as he didn't do anything terribly romantic except try to fondle Chris. Maybe the message would have been stronger if he was beaten up again at Henley Hall after reciting the poem to Chris... But I think the romanticism was really in Knox going after Chris. Still very symbolic nevertheless.
(5) Butt-swanking of Charlie - The first occurence and mildest. The 'hazards' then build up in severity.

However the film tells us not to reject romanticism and compromise because of these hazards. It is only telling us about the cruelty of reality. At the end of the film, the audience gets to decide for themselves how much romanticism they are willing to to embrace, just as in the last scene, some of the students stood up and some didn't.

Evidence from film:
(1) Keating advises Charlie - This came only after 'coercion' from Mr Nolan. He did this is his role as an educator, to inform the boys of the possible dangers present. Important : Before Keating left the room, he confessed he liked Charlie's 'phone call from God' stunt.
(2) Keating advises Neil - Again he advises Neil in his capacity as a teacher. When Neil lied to him, I don't think he was that gullible as to believe him. But Keating didn't stop him because he knew that following his heart was Neil should do anyway.
(3) Keating wants to forget DPS - I believe that he said this either (a)he yearns again to be romantic like when he was in DPS, and is unhappy with his present compromised state. But he has to accept it as he has chosen to be a teacher(sacrificing himself?), so he can only try to forget his past which he knows is what he should be OR (b)he said it in jest - 'Burn it please, especially my photograph!'. Important : Keating later places the DPS bible 'Five Centuries of Verse' in Neil's room.

I liked the ending especially! In the last scene, Todd was crying as he asks for Keating's forgiveness. He then defies Mr. Nolan by standing on his desk. As did Knox, Pitts, Meeks and, very importantly, Hopkins(the guy who fluffed the football kick/recited poem 'the cat sat on a mat') and his cynical friend. To me, that was their awakening. They have finally understood Keating's message. So all was not lost despite Neil's death, Charlie's explusion and Keating's sending off. The rest of the class(who very sadly in true life represent the majority) who did not stand on their desks hung their heads in shame instead, like Cameron. Without doubt, Keating's words have touched the class, and those who did not stand are the ones who compromised their true nature(rightly or wrongly I cannot judge) under the pressures of Realism(Mr Nolan). But the film depicts them as sad/shameful, as was Todd before he stood up, and that's how I inferred the last part of my interpretation of the film. Frankly, I think that last scene really saved the show for me.

Finally, I would like to add that DPS is definitely a film with very complex themes, and there are still many areas which I do not have the time or space to fully explore here. People who have some knowledge of DPS(and hence claim they love it) often like to quote lines from the film. Like from Frost's 'The Road Not Taken', Whitman's 'On Walden Pond' or Herrick's 'To The Virgins, Make Much of Time'. But the favourite must be 'Carpe Diem'(Latin for 'Seize The Day')... To me, Carpe Diem is just a small part of the film and the message which it brings. Hopefully, more people can appreciate the film and study it in greater detail to learn more things about life.

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