How the Quotations and Poems Demonstrate the Main Themes or Ideas of the Film Dead Poet's Society

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How the Quotations and Poems Demonstrate the Main Themes or Ideas of the Film Dead Poet's Society

The film, Dead Poets Society, directed by Peter Weir, is set in the

1950’s at Welton Academy in the United States. Welton is a school that

is based on honor, discipline, tradition, and excellence. The teachers

at this school are extremely strict and academic.

The Dead Poets Society has many important themes and messages, which

should be considered in one’s daily life. The film teaches to enjoy

oneself and live life to the fullest. It also demonstrates the value

of friendship, which is dealt with in the film as loyalty, betrayal,

forgiveness, and love. Dead Poets Society also shows the significance

of poetry and how it expresses many emotions frequently experienced by

people. Mr. Keating informs the boys that poetry helps people

understand themselves, feel alive, and appreciate life. Another

message in the film involves making the right decisions, learning from

selections one makes, and the results of one’s choices. Finally, Dead

Poets Society touches on finding one’s voice and doing what one

believes is right.

However, Dead Poets Society is not the only place these lessons are

shown. They are also displayed in numerous poems and quotations, which

only emphasizes their importance. ‘To the Virgins, to Make Much of

Time’, written by Robert Herrick, a quotation from Henry Thoreau, ‘The

Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost, and the “Carpe Diem- Seize the Day”

are only a few examples.

‘To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time’ by Robert Herrick is about

using one’s lifetime well and following one’s dreams while we are

still young. Life is sh...

... middle of paper ...

...ociety and

makes the other boys worried. The poem by Robert Frost, titled ‘A Road

Not Taken’ is connected to these events in the film because the poem

implies that decisions change one’s life. In the film, Neil chooses

well by deciding to follow his dream, Todd makes a good decision by

standing up for what he believes in. On the other hand, Charlie should

have considered his choice and the results of his choice before taking

the action.

There are many significant messages and themes throughout the film,

which are connected to life, friendship, loyalty, courage, betrayal,

seizing the day, the true meaning of poetry, love, passion, and making

decisions. These messages are also represented in numerous poems and

quotations. Both the poems and the film give us messages to think

about and help us live a fulfilled life.

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