Dead Poets Society: A Coming-of-Age Story

Dead Poets Society: A Coming-of-Age Story

There isn’t anything new about coming-of-age stories, many of which follow a similar structure as their predecessors and successors. In a chaste, oftentimes strict world, a character or set of characters is forced to undergo trials and tribulations in order to find themselves, oftentimes clashing with the world around them in order to discover and carve out a unique place in life. Depending on the execution, a film or other piece of media can succeed or fail in showcasing how one’s environment and the people around them can impact how one comes of age. One film that does this exceptionally well, however, is Paul Weir’s 1989 drama Dead Poets Society.

The film follows a group of boys at an elite prep school. The two protagonists, the reclusive Todd Anderson and the more outgoing, often rebellious Neil Perry, act as contrasts to one another in order to reflect how life at the boarding school impacts both of them. While Todd is more adamant about burying himself in his studies, Neil is outgoing enough to want to try different clubs and activities, even in the face of strict disapproval from his father. Both students are in the same English class alongside several other boys whose stories are also followed as the film progresses. Despite their lack of interest in the subject, this class proves to be what alters their perception of the world and helps drive the story forward. This is because of the unorthodox teaching methods of their professor, John Keating, played by the late Robin Williams. His insistence that students think critically about art and their own passions through near-impromptu class sessions draws the ire of the school but assists the boys—especially Todd and Neil—into breaking out of their comfort zones in order to pursue their passions. What follows is not always happy, but it still acts as an inspirational story.

Having gone into this film with little to no context as to what it was about, I feel as though I should not spoil anything beyond what I’ve outlined in the paragraph above. The film does a good job at capturing the strict, sometimes oppressive regime of the boarding school while highlighting the difference in Keating’s teaching style. There are also plenty of scenes of the students all interacting with one another, taking Keating’s teachings to heart in order to better themselves and their dreams. The whole movie acts as an indicator as to how the harsh realities of society can be quelled, even if only for a moment, by one’s passionate creative endeavors. Keating’s message of “march to your own beat” is very apparent in the film, creating a story where that message is overlayed by an unforgiving reality while also indicating the possibility one’s dreams can hold.

Characterization is a major aspect of the film, with Neil and Todd acting as the most stand-out contrasts between one another. Todd’s hesitance to embracing Keating’s messages right away shows how he wants to focus on his studies and keep his place in the social hierarchy he’s known all his life. Neil, meanwhile, is much more comfortable with what Keating teaches his class, finding a kindred spirit in his professor. Other standout characters include the staunch conformist Cameron and the high-spirited Knox, all of whom have their own little stories that are followed throughout the film. Everything that happens feels like it coalesces because of Keating’s class, giving Robin Williams the forefront of the praise because of how well-crafted and well-acted his character is. Out of all the performances in the film, his is one of the most memorable.

What is also memorable is the way in which the film is structured. While the film could have utilized Keating as a sage for the boys, even he is seen as a fallible human some of the time. Much of the time, the boys utilize his teachings in order to have fun while also creating a unique place in the world from which they can pursue their dreams. That indirect nature of Keating’s influence showcases how the film acts as a coming-of-age story, the type of story that shows the transition between obedient childhood and self-sustained adulthood. And, in making his influence a more indirect part of the boys’ lives, it shows how even a figure that isn’t present all the time in the film can still have a great impact on it. In some regards, one could even apply this to life itself.

Overall, Dead Poets Society is a great commentary on the expectations of society while also playing a delicate balancing act with what it means to be free. The film offers great inspiration to anyone attempting to create their own path in the world while also acting as an impactful reminder of how difficult it can be to juggle the whims of the world with those of your heart. Highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for something unique, entertaining, and moving all at once.