One of my all time favorite movies, “Dead Poets Society,” was actually shown in one of my least favorite classes, English. I have my English teacher to thank for opening my eyes to a world of possibilities all from this one movie.
If anyone hasn’t seen the film (and you should go and watch it after this) here’s a quick summary of the movie: The movie is based on a new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), being introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.
I believe this movie should be shown in every English class. In today’s society, everyone wants to fit in and if you stand out you’re weird. This movie shows the complete opposite. If you conform to society’s standards you are losing in the end-- what does that benefit you? It’s okay to stand out, walk in the oppisite direction as everyone else. If you are the same as the person standing next to you, well that’s just boring. Ordinary is so boring. This movie showed just how great it is not to conform and to dance to beat of your own drum.
Of course the movie also showed the backlash some of the kids got from not conforming in society, just like it would happen in real life. However, there were more positives than negatives when they decided to not conform. This movie really does open your eyes, would you rather be normal and ordinary or would you rather be weird and extraordinary?
