Issues In Dead Poets Society

Problems Solved

There are many similarities and differences between many “Coming of Age” films that have been made in the past few decades. All of which however center around one main character, or several in the case of Dead Poet Society. These characters then face many challenges that they find in their way. Usually keeping them from “growing up”, or finding what truly makes them happy. The Graduate and The Dead Poets Society both show the troubles of young men struggling to overcome many problems that they find themselves in. However, Dead Poets Society exhibited the solving of these problems more clearly than the problems shown in The Graduate.

To understand the problem solved in each movie, the story of each character and the obstacles

standing in their way must first be understood. Dead Poets Society takes place in Welton High School, a private school in Vermont. You are introduced to several students, all of which have behaved exactly as the teachers have expected of them and conforming to the rules set by the administration. These students have never been allowed to think for themselves, or make their own decisions. Mr. Keating is then introduced as the new English teacher, surprising the students with very unorthodox lessons in his class. Keating believes strongly in the term “Carpe Diem”, often bringing up this term in his lessons. Mr. Keating often tells his students to resist the conforming that is expected of them by society. These students often stood back in every problem that had confronted them, never standing up for themselves or what they believed in. Many of the students looked highly upon Mr. Keating, taking his advice and applying it to their own lives outside of the classroom. Many of the students begin to overcome the obstacles that had been weighing down their lives.
Mr.

Keating began to be one of the biggest inspirations and factors in these students lives. Neil Perry, one of the many kids this film focuses on, began to stand up to his overbearing father. Neil’s father often told him what was and was not okay. He often kept him from participating in many activities that Neil truly loved. As the movie progresses, you see the lives of many of the students begin to unfold. All of these students find themselves hitting roadblocks, several of these begin relationship issues. For example, Knox Overstreet was once very afraid to confront Chris, a girl he believed he was in love with. However Mr. Keating’s speech on “Carpe Diem” gave Knox the confidence to talk to Chris, and take her to the play that Neil was starring in, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Every student that found themselves troubled in this movie found an answer to their problems. For one student however, escaping the control of society was much more devastating. Neil Perry, after his performance in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, was told by his father that he could no longer attend Welton. Neil then took his life, which caused an outlashing of hatred towards Mr. Keating. The events that followed Neil’s suicide showed the growth of the students. Todd Anderson, the most introverted character shown in this movie, stood up for Mr. Keating as he began to leave the classroom, never to see the students again. Todd shouted, the famous line, “Oh Captain! My Captain!”(Dead Poets Society). The

rest of the class began to join, showing the overall growth of the students because of the “unorthodox” teachings of Mr. Keating. As the students began to get atop of the desks, the music also began to intensify, showing the strength of the courage and strength they found in themselves. This scene did not only show the growth of these students but also their conquering of the problem that held many of them back in their lives, the norm of society.
Now, the very unusual story of Benjamin Braddock can be explained.

In The Graduate Benjamin Braddock is a college graduate who is back in his parents’ house. Benjamin, like in Dead Poets Society, finds himself in a cycle of never ending demands from his parents. He also went to a private school which was funded by his father. For this, Benjamin's father Mr. Braddock, takes Benjamin’s success as his own. Benjamin feels his father is very overbearing, always asserting his power over Ben. After graduating college Ben is constantly bombarded by his peers with the same question, “What do you want to do with your life?”. This question is Ben’s biggest dilemma. When approached by Mrs. Robinson, who is a close friend of Mr. and Mrs. Braddock, Benjamin feels comfortable. Soon however, Benjamin is seduced and manipulated by Mrs. Robinson. Just as his father controlled him, Mrs. Robinson begins to manipulate the emotions and actions of Benjamin. She even restricts him from seeing or speaking to her own daughter Elaine. Mr. Braddock soon forces Ben to take Elaine Robinson out on a date. Benjamin complies although he knows he is acting against the demands of Mrs. Robinson. Benjamin’s biggest problem still lies within himself, as he never has made a decision for himself and is easily

manipulated.
Benjamin begins to think for himself, as he decides that he will marry Elaine Robinson. This is a major staple for Benjamin, for he has not acting on his own intentions before. Benjamin perseus Elaine all the way to Santa Barbara in the hopes to convince her to to marry him. Benjamin succeeds in his plans, making Elaine fall in love with him. In this process Benjamin crashes the previous wedding between Elaine and the man she planned to marry. The film ends by showing Benjamin and Elaine in a bus leaving Santa Barbara together, seemingly happy. However after the euphoric effect wears off of the two, both seem at a loss for words or emotions. Both seeming lost in their positions, unclear of what their next step may be. Benjamins problem may have momentarily been solved, but as The Graduate ends Benjamin seems as lost as he was in the beginning of the film.
Both films did an excellent job showing the growth of boys into men. However, Dead Poets Society had a much clearer resolution as the film came to a close. The Graduate did show the story and growth of Benjamin Braddock, but when the film came to a close you were still left asking yourself,”What will Benjamin do with his life?”. Opposed to the much clearer ending of Dead Poets Society. Overall, the film that better portrays the growth and problem solving of individuals was Dead Poets Society.