Essay On Parental Authority In This Be The Verse

800 Words2 Pages

Although an authorities intentions may be good, individuals will inevitably challenge an authority if it is excessively restrictive or abusive, in order to achieve individuality and freedom. This is particularly evident when examining the restrictive parental authority evident throughout Peter Weirs The Dead Poet Society in which the students challenge the authority to obtain their freedom and individuality. Furthermore, this concept is also presented in Philip Larkin’s This Be The Verse, which is written in a manner that warns the reader of the restrictions of parental authority despite the good intentions at its core. Throughout both texts this fundamental idea of challenging a restrictive parental authority to achieve individuality and freedom is clearly portrayed using various techniques. …show more content…

In contrast Neil is often viewed from a high angle shot, particularly when around his father. This establishes the restrictive control of the parental authority from the early scenes of the movie. However as the story progresses Mr. Keating instills his motto of “Carpe Diem – Seize the day” upon his students, teaching them to think as individuals so to retain their freedom. In doing so Mr. Keating disregards the traditional teaching methods of the school and goes against all the students had been previously taught. Peter Weir shows this by contrasting Keating’s unconventional first lesson with a prior montage of the ordered and systematic previous classes. To the viewer this establishes Keating as an unconventional teacher but it also takes its effect on the students. This can be seen when Neil, tired of the restrictions imposed upon him, challenges his fathers’ direct instructions by performing in the local play. In lying to his father and continuing with the play he succeeds in challenging the restrictive authority. Whilst his fathers instructions to quit the play

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