Dead Poets Society Individualism

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Everyday is another day of growth and evaluation, learning what you need - what you don't, collecting, processing, and discarding thoughts. With time, all of these things become recollected and more of a imagination. This is why nostalgia is so dangerous, everything becomes romanticized. “Dead Poets Society”, a film directed by Peter Weir, is about a rebellious group of boys from Welton Academy learning about their own individualism, how they escape conformity, and how they became these “freethinkers”. However, before they became these rebellious freethinkers, they were just students at an all boys preparatory school following the ancient methods and standards of Welton Academy. Then, they were introduced to a new teacher, John Keating or…show more content…
Charlie asserts his fearless leadership by reviving the Dead Poets Society. By doing so, Charlie establishes the belief that he will not let the consequences hinder him from living the way he wants to live. His fearlessness and disregard for consequences enable him to live out life as he truly wishes to; it enables him to exhibit a truly individualistic life. According to the article “What Rights Do We Have?” Boaz said “Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are other aspects of the liberty of conscience. No one has the right to prevent another person from expressing his thoughts and trying to persuade others of his opinions” (740). Charlie shows a clear representation of Boaz’s qualities when he publishes the articles requesting that girls be allowed to go to school at Dalton. What makes this decision so daring is the fact that Charlie makes it known to the whole school that it was his idea, even going so far as to challenge the headmaster when he is called up. Charlie’s blatant defiance of authority expresses his inner drive to do as he wills, regardless of any consequences he may face. This drive is a clear indication that Charlie will go to any length to get what he wants; in this case, he wants to get his point across to the rest of the school. Finally, Charlie remains steadfast in that he does not give the headmaster any information about his friends’ secret group, even if it means expulsion or physical punishment. By remaining firm, Charlie does not let the pressure get to him and affect his decisions. According to Spence’s “Easy In The Harness” article, he says that “In exchange for acceptance by our friends we give up the right to say what we think. Being socially proper is more important than possessing a fresh uncompromised soul. Being acceptable to our neighbors is often more important than being acceptable to ourselves”

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