Dead Poets Society: Critical Analysis
This critical film analysis examines Dead Poets Society (1989), an American film that offers insights into an unconventional educational experience. It especially looks at the relationship dynamics between teachers and students, as well as some of the broader issues that can affect schools.
Title and Year of Release
Dead Poets Society, 1989
Setting
The film is set in the late 1950s at the fictional Welton Academy in Vermont, an elite conservative boarding school.
Brief General Premise
Dead Poets Society explores the impact of an unconventional English teacher, John Keating, on his students through his teaching of poetry. Keating encourages his students to "seize the day" (Carpe Diem) and challenges them to break away from the conformist and repressive educational environment to pursue their passions and make their lives extraordinary.
Analysis
Keating's teaching philosophy embodies the "Aesthetic Education" approach as outlined by McConnell et al. (2020). This approach emphasizes the importance of experiencing beauty and understanding through the arts, which Keating integrates by teaching poetrynot just as a subject but as a means of appreciating life and the world, and encouraging personal expression and critical thinking among his students. It has mixed results. One student comes out of his shell and becomes empowered. Another student takes his own life after feeling constrained by an authoritarian...
The film suggests that the aesthetic approach may contain risks that a
teacher needs to be able to acknowledge and mitigate.
Central Education-Related Themes
Depiction of Teachers
Keating is portrayed as a mentor who diverges from the traditional authoritarian figure, embodying a teacher stereotype that is both inspirational and controversial within the context of the...
…of educational reform, highlighting the need for teaching methods that nurture creativity, critical thinking, and individuality. Viewers might empathize with the students' struggles for self-expression and the tragic consequences of societal pressure. The film's
portrayal of Keating's unorthodox methods and the students' response provides a compelling narrative that champions the value of inspiring teachers and the importance of following one's passion.
In connection to McConnell et al. (2020), Dead Poets Society shows the significant impact that innovative teaching methods and curricula can have on students' lives. It does challenge educators to reflect on their practices and consider how they might adopt more creative and student-centered approaches in their teaching. But it also can be taken as a warning to be cautious in the aesthetic approach because of the strong impact it can have on stakeholders who may not be…
