Critical Analysis : Dead Poets Society

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*insert bitchin title here* Michael Franti once said, “Every single soul is a poem” meaning that every person has their own outlook on life and every aspect around them. How one may perceive the world is different than another and this allows individuality to shine through. Along with individuality also comes emotion and those are also expressed in opposing ways. Some are open in their emotions and wear their heart on their sleeve while others hide away and keep their emotions tucked in a little internalized box that only some have the code to. Within the film, Dead Poets Society, the audience follows the story of a band of boys who form the Dead Poets Society. Through this telling of each of their stories, out comes emotional struggle…show more content…
However, Neil’s fits particularly well in this case of vulnerability. From the very beginning of the movie there is already a sense of tension between him and his father who has dreams of him going to school and becoming a doctor. One of Neil’s earliest conversations with his father shows how he really doesn’t have much control in his life, let alone being able to say as he wishes. Mr. Perry says to him, “After you’ve finished medical school and you’re on your own, then you can do as you damn well please. But until then, you do as I tell you. Is that clear?” and immediately Neil retorts with an agreement and the moment of dispute dissipates back to short-lived congratulations and a brief goodbye. This is a clear example of what Berne says many parents do in raising their children. “And we perfect, most dangerously, our children… our job is not to say, ‘Look at her, she’s perfect. My job is just to keep her perfect – make sure she makes the tennis team by fifth grade and Yale by seventh.’ That’s not our job. Our job is to look and say, ‘You know what? You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.’ That’s our job.” Certain parents, much like Neil’s, do have this perception of having to shape and mold their children to the perfect Ivy League college graduate but that isn’t how it should be according to Brown. The movie ending with Neil’s ultimate demise proves that even parents with the best intentions can be
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