Movies are a great source of entertainment. They evoke a lot of feelings in audiences such as happiness and laughter, but some movies can make people cry. For example, I think every girl who has watched "The Notebook" was sobbing by the end of it. I, however, didn't cry much during the movie. I never really cried during movies until I watched "Dead Poets Society".
"Dead Poets Society" had me balling, but it very quickly became one of my favorite movies. I loved the message it sent to audiences. Thinking about how much I loved it, I decided to dig a little deeper into the movie.
When you first watch the movie, it's not hard to spot the lessons Mr. Keating is trying to teach his upper-level English class, but if you watch a little closer, the students are teaching some lessons too. Here are some of the points I got out of the movie.
1. "We are food for worms, lads."
Make your life worth living. The most well-known and probably the most important part of this movie is the use of the phrase Carpe Diem which means "seize the day". They use carpe diem throughout the whole movie and the students use it to gain confidence. It's like the original YOLO.
2. Don't be afraid to think outside the box.
There was one scene where Mr. Keating took his students out to the courtyard for a lesson. He told three of them to walk together however they wanted. Eventually, the three students started to walk in step with each other. The rest of the students even clapped to the beat of their footsteps.
Mr. Keating stopped the students and explained to them that even though the three students started out walking their own ways, they still conformed to marching in unison.
Don't be afraid of doing your own thing even if it's unusual.
3. "No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world."
Your thoughts, opinions, and words matter!
4. "That which we are, we are."
Keep your own identity and don't change for others.
5. "Constantly look at things a different way."
Mr. Keating had the students stand up on his desk just to show them that there are many different ways to look at the same thing.
Think outside the box.
6. "You must strive to find your own voice because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all."
Nowadays, other people's opinions affect you more than you know. Before you even try something, you ask for someone else's opinion and go in with the expectation of their opinion.
You must find your own opinion, your own voice, and hold on to it. Speak up for what you believe in!
7. "Dare to strike out and find new ground."
Don't be afraid to fail and don't be afraid to trail off the beaten path. You might discover something new.
8. "I sound my barbaric YALP over the rooftops of the world."
This was the part when Mr. Keating was trying to get the quiet and reserved Todd Anderson to speak in front of the class. He was very successful.
You have a powerful voice, use it!
9. It's alright to joke around sometimes.
Not everything has to be serious. Loosen up a little.
10. True friends will always be there for you.
No matter what. They'll always support you when no one else does.
If you haven't seen this movie yet, I apologize for the spoilers, but everyone should watch this movie. It's a great movie with a strong message and it's on Netflix!
