Despite tragic experiences portrayed in Peter Weir’s film Dead Poets Society, messages of hope and optimism are still delivered to the audience. The events surrounding Neil’s Death and the dismissal of revolutionary teacher Keating were events that caused the most anguish, both for the characters and the audience. Through the use of these two characters however, viewers are given hope. Hope that supportive and encouraging friends like Neil do exist, the motivation to follow your dreams despite much adversity and the aspiration that a teacher with as much pride, encouragement and confidence might really be possible. Dead Poets Society portrays such messages of hope despite a number of grievous occurrences.
Neil’s death, and events leading up to it, was by far the most tragic in the film Dead Poets Society. It is alarming that parental pressure on a child to succeed results in suicide. He is portrayed as a domineering father from the beginning, by giving Neil no option but to quit his position working on the school Annual. All Neil wanted was to find out who he was and what he wanted to do with his life. When Neil discovered that he wanted to act, he was unable to discuss his options and opinions with his father and Mr. Perry was unwilling consider Neil's outlook on life. During a conversation with Mr Keating, Neil’s most powerful remark is “I’m trapped”. He was trapped between his parents expectations and his love for acting. Neil knew that if he did nothing, he would have to spend his life following out the map that was drawn from him by his father. At their home after Neil’s performance, Mr Perry expressed his disgrace at Neil’s deception and declared, “You will go to military school, you will go to Harvard and you will become a doctor” and Neil felt unable to decline. A tragic lack of communication led Neil to conclude that suicide was the only way to gain control of his life and stand up to his father. Even in death Neil was not strong enough to communicate his feelings to his father, evident by the absence of a suicide note. Neil’s suicide appears to be a spontaneous decision made on the basis of the hopelessness he felt that night. It was an act to break free from his father's control, but in trying to gain that control over his life, he sacrificed everything to escape. Suicide and the rates of suicide are depressing: Every 42 seconds someone attempts suicide and every 18 seconds someone attempts suicide . Suicide in its entirety is distressing, but when it is brought on primarily by parental pressure and a lack of communication, it is indeed a tragedy.
Neil’s suicide is indeed tragic and emotional however the concept that Neil could finally seize the day and live out his dreams is an inspiring one. Neil has an obvious passion for the limelight. Scenes the film, such as at the first Dead Poets Society meeting, are symbolic of this passion. Neil is the member who officially reconvenes the meetings. His confidence and assertiveness while standing in the centre of the group and the torch lights from below shining upon him are significant of his legacy to be in the spotlight.
It is obvious that when Neil is talking to Todd about Midsummer Nights Dream auditions he is speaking with fervour. Neil’s smile is radiant as he states, “Yes! Yes! I am gonna be an actor! Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to try this… Carpe Diem!” Neil’s passion for acting and his persistence to pursue that passion inspires the audience to fulfil their goals and dreams.
Mr Perry says to Neil “Even if the world ends tomorrow night, you will not be in that play.” Despite the obvious adversity, the following night Neil fulfilled his dream on stage in the leading role in Midsummer Night’s Dream. He was able to break free from his father’s stronghold and in doing so, bestows upon the audience hope that, with enough effort, dreams can be realised.
The loss of such an inspiring teacher like Mr Keating is tragic, but the possibility that teachers with such a passion for the growth of his students communicates hope to the audience. Mr Keating had a unique teaching style in which he communicated with the students like a friend. This was contrasted with the authoritarian styles of other teachers, marching up and down the isles of the classroom barking orders. Mr Keating’s unique style is what encouraged the boys to take notice of what messages he was putting across. Keating’s main emphasis was for his students to “Seize the day”. He was adamant to teach his students to live life to the fullest and not to waste a day of their lives and this message got through to them, “Strive to find your own voice, the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all." Keating’s message of “carpe diem” is employed many times in the film, such as during Knox Overstreet’s quest to attain Chris’s affection. No matter what anyone said or how many times Knox was rejected, Keating’s “seize the day” mentality got through to him. Knox says “carpe diem” before calling Chris, just prior to making a move on her during the party scene and at school after returning from reading Chris a love poem. It is evident how Keating’s message and the way he delivered it, has impacted upon Knox. When asked by Neil “How can you stand being here?” Keating states casually “Because I love teaching. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” John Keating was portrayed in the film as a supportive, encouraging, confident teacher who is passionate about his job and his students. An audience could only hope for such devotion.
