Similarities Between The Battle Of Conformity And Individuality

The importance of allowing people to find and pursue their own passions are important and that people can become corrupt in their pursuit of power are two important themes that Peter Weir conveys in his film, Dead Poets Society. Welton Academy is an all boys private school in Vermont, USA, which prides itself in tradition and conformed teachings, where students are taught not to think for themselves. Students, such as Neil, are under constant and immense pressure from the school and their parents, such as Mr Perry and the school. Peter Weir uses the important and interesting techniques of close up and low and high angles to create empathy in the viewer, and to show that finding your passion is more important than being a mindless sheep in society.

One of the main characters who does not believe in conformity is Mr. Keating. Mr. Keating is a prime example of this, especially considering that he got fired from his job at the end. This was because of his knack for not being a traditional, textbook-style teacher. He used real life examples to portray his teachings of non-conformity. For example, on one of the first days of school, Mr. Keating told them to rip pages out of their textbook that were too “mainstream” for his taste. Later on in the movie he taught the boys to view life at a different angle, and he represented this by standing on his desk. Lastly, Mr. Keating used a more physical example of conforming to society at a young age. He asked three boys to start walking in a circle around the courtyard. This was to prove that everyone starts at

The Importance of Individuality Many people throughout the world have different definitions of individualism. According to Merriam-Webster, an online dictionary, “the belief that the needs of each person are more important than the needs of the whole society or group” is the definition of individualism. This definition seems to view individualism as a bad thing for society, but if each individual is not able to rely on themselves, then there would be no society because no one would be able to get anything done.

The 1989 movie, Dead Poets Society, features a group of boys attending a private boarding school, the Welton Academy. The central conflict of the movie stems from the clash between educational approaches. The movie uses the educational conflict as an engine to propel the plot and to explore and develop the characters.

After reading the two assigned readings and comparing it to the idea of conformity in full I have come a definite decision in my mind about the comparison and contrast of the two ideas given off in the first taste of the readings. I have seen that in “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks tells the tale of being not loose and free and having as little conformity as possible. Whereas, on the other hand, Junot Diaz’s idea of conformity in the excerpt we were assigned to read shows that the family’s ideas of conformity are very expected and it shows in their morals and they try to enforce it. Even though that’s not the case for Lola.

There are many examples of social psychology illustrated in the movie “Twelve Angry Men” directed by Sidney Lumet. This film takes place around the 1950’s and jurors have to choose whether or not a man will be charged innocent or guilty on the murder of his dad. In the beginning of the film, only eleven of the twelve men choose to plead guilty. Then shortly after a strong debate, the jurors begin to change their minds to charging the boy as innocent. This movie shows strong examples of social psychology through aggression, group process and conformity.

Conformity can either satisfy the natural human need for social interaction or establish barriers that lead to isolation. Personal circumstances and choices to either conform or rebel dictate the direction one ends up going. The movie “Not Without My Daughter” clearly exemplifies this through

Throughout the film Dead Poet’s Society a continuing theme is not to conform to society and be yourself. The major conflict is the consequences of nonconformity. In the film, Mr. Keating, encouraged his students be unique. Some of the students are brave enough to follow his instructions. Such as, Neil Perry, He “seizes his day” by trying out for a play.

In the film, The Dead Poets Society, based on a time during the 1950’s, explores the lives of a group of young schoolboys who were being taught in a boarding school. Individual characters had trouble with conquering their own personal fears, as these young boys were not used to thinking for themselves. However, Mr Keating, a new teacher at their school Welton, had started to teach these youthful teenagers how it feels to be an individual, sparking their interest in being themselves, and reigniting their desire to conquer the fears that had held them down for so long. There were times that the fear derived from disappointing the parents and them planning their future out for them. In the scene of Neil going into his room to find his father

Throughout the unravelling of Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society, the audience are often faced with the reality that attendance at Welton College would be undesirable. The physical and mental stresses endured by students due to the harshness and unforgiving nature of the school is underlining in many instances. Strict and unyielding authoritarian figures compel pupils to live in a damaging and caustic world, and to be placed under immense levels of anxiety and tension. The cruel world in which our impressionable young characters are forced to live in results directly in the tragic death of Neil Perry.

In contrast of Cameron, through the character of Neil Perry, the movie explores the Romantic component to the traditionalist teachings of Welton academy. Neil, a passionate, well-liked student, is inspired by Mr. Keating’s teachings and is the first to organize the Dead Poets Society. His Romantic behaviors though begin in the beginning of the film when his father says that he can no longer take school annual. Mr. Perry, Neil’s father who is a static, one-dimensional man who envisions a successful future for his son with a medical degree. Neil disputes his father by saying, “But Father, I can't. It wouldn't be fair”. The defiant behavior emulates the nonconformity trait of Romantics. He continues to defy Mr. Perry when Neil tries out for a Shakespearean play and doctors a letter of permission. When Todd says to Neil “You’re not gonna write it,” Neil insouciantly responds, “Oh yes, I am”. The nonchalant reply further proves Neil’s yearning for individuality. He’s willing to go extremes to break free from his parent’s and the school’s expectations.

Conformity defined by Saul McLeod is, “Conformity is a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group. This change is in response to real (involving the physical appearance of others) or imagined (involving the pressure of social norms/expectations) group pressure.” (McLeod, 2007, para. 1 & 2). Meaning, that an individual has the desire to change themselves either mentally or physically to meet the social status quo. Reflecting back on one’s childhood, the mentality that always seemed to make itself present was being a leader and not a follower, regardless of the situation or aspect. It seemed to commonly be followed by, “if (whoever at time) jumped off a bridge would one follow”? One remembers badly wanting a different hairstyle or to dress a particular way because everyone else had it or was doing it. However, one also remembers the individuals that did not try to conform to anything just because everyone was doing it or it was the fad at the time, those individuals might have been viewed as the rebels. As one has gotten older, looking back it is almost as if it should have been the rebels that were the ones everyone was envious of. Personally, however,

Dead Poets Society is a classic film from 1989 featuring Robin Williams, which takes place during the 50’s at a traditionalist boarding school for the rich with extremely strict customs and a straightforward message: Tradition, Honor, Discipline and Excellence are all keys to academic success. Within the film, elements such as character development, conflict, setting and symbolism together with a variety of techniques are used to support the prevalent theme: Tradition can restrict individuality leading to progressive thoughts.

Furthermore, conformity within people means that there’s effort in the ability of changing your personality to fit within a group. According to Merton, conformity is when you have the mindset to attain society’s ideal goals through the socially acceptable means to succeed. Therefore, this type of behaviour is the most respectable kind and least likely to lead to rebellion.

“Now is the time to seize the day” is the main premise behind Dead Poets Society. This movie is all about helping young men to find who they really are. This is the way that  John Keating, the teacher,  wants his boys to know, he teaches the boys that anything they want to do they could. He brings these kids hope.