What Makes Dead
Poet’s Society an Impulsive Movie
Written By: Zehra Nasirali
For: Mr. DeBoer
Course: ENG-OAI
Date: 10th
July, 2000
Have you ever desired to spontaneously act upon something outrageous, but refrained from doing so because your conscious hinted on further thought and preparation? In opposition: Carpe Diem. The translation to this Latin cliché is 'Seize the bay.' Forget about the audience! Forget about how the image is portrayed to the overseers! The characters from this enlightening movie drive the audience to this Latin cliché in a very intriguing manner. Acting upon impulses, whether proper or unjustified, is what enwraps Dead Poet's Society into a capturing moral.
Carpe Diem can greatly motivate those who are chained with restrictions in their life. Neil Perry, the leading character of the movie, is strongly driven toward his passion as his professor, Mr. Keating, makes this cliché the theme of the English course. It is because of his father's authoritarian nature that leads Perry to rebel and participate in the drama of the year: Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's bream., Acting was his life and it was the one thing that drove him to ambition. His passion for drama rose to such an extent that he even gathered the guts to directly disobey his father's orders, and take upon himself another curricular activity. He forged a letter of permission from his father, gets caught, and lies to Mr. Keating - all for the desire of his heart. And how does he accomplish this? Two words: Carpe Diem. "For the first time in my life. I know what I want to do! And for the first time, I'm going to DO IT! Whether my father wants me to or not!" declares Neil rigidly as he qualifies for the part of Puck. Neil's acting not only teaches the audience to act spontaneously from time to time but it also incorporates a lot of epiphany. The major one being, 'Are you happy with yourself?'
Carpe Diem may not always be the solution but at appropriate times, it certainly helps to pick up the pace in your life. When it comes to feelings of the heart, acting upon this cliché may be the best thing or the worst. Knox Overstreet. It was love at first sight for him when his eyes first set upon Chris. His love was so strong that despite the threats of her strong and famous boyfriend, he still persisted. Sneaking into her school, embarrassing the one he loves (Chris) and himself, he reads aloud a love poem he scribed in front of the entire, attentive class. Indeed he got banged up, but to him it was well worth it, because he won Chris' love at the end. How? Once again, Carpe Diem. Embedding a sidetrack of romance into the movie, really accentuates Carpe Diem as an all rounder.
Fate is something decided. Carpe Diem may work for you or against you. It does not decide your fate; it merely picks the occurrence of fate up, by a notch or two. Mr.
Keating did a marvellous job by teaching the boys of bead Poet's Society. As the story progresses, we see that the life of each and every boy slowly begins to revolve around the statement, "Seize the Day." Some good examples from the movie are times when, Mr. Keating takes his class marching outside, or livening poetry by playing soccer, or when Todd (the boy who lives in a shelly is influenced by Neil to throw his birthday gift, a desktop, over the building, or the denouement; a point where the boys take the cliché too far. The character that prefers to be called 'Newanda’ makes a scene at the assembly and not only embarrasses the principal but puts the whole institute to shame. As every other good thing, Carpe Diem also has a limit. Abusing this cliché may turn out in flying colours with luck or bring the whole scenario crumbling down; Neil Perry committing suicide, Mr. Keating getting fired are two strong examples. Furthermore, there are also times and places for Carpe Diem as well.
Dead Poet Poet's Society is filled with great morals and lessons, the major one being Carpe Diem. Open your eyes and see the opportunities that lie at your arms reach and have not yet been ventured. Live life to the max before you have reached the end of the wick, so that you may recall at your old age and tell your grandchildren what an illicit life you led.) Learn from Dead Poet's Society and seize every opportunity!
"I went into the woods
because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all
the marrow of life ... to put to route all that was not life; and not, when I
came to die, discover that I had not lived."
-Neil quoting Henry David
Thoreau in Dead Poet's Society