Comfority in Dead Poets Society

“In joining the Dead Poets’ Society the boys have simply replaced one sort of conformity for another.”

In the text, “The Dead Poets Society”, we are introduced to the notions of conformity, authority and freedom. Conformity is perceived as keeping to accepted rules or customs. In the film, we are shown many images of conformity in numerous circumstances. The school is operated on the notion of conformity and later in the film we are shown a group of students that rebel against their stringent surroundings by conforming themselves to their new club, “The Dead Poets’ Society.”

At the beginning of the film it is made apparent that the school conducts itself in a very professional and rigorous way. Welton Academy is founded on tradition and excellence and is bent on providing strict structured lessons prescribed by the realist, anti-youth administration. In the opening scene, we are immediately presented with the school’s motto, “Tradition, Discipline, and Excellence,” at the first assembly for the school term. The words employed to create the motto reflect greatly on the school’s idea of operating and it is demonstrated in this scene. We are shown images of regulation and discipline at the assembly and further on in the classroom scenes. The boys in both situations do not seem comfortable and also somewhat uniformed. The school has a reputation for excellence in producing successful all round men and is extremely determined to maintain this. It is clear that by being a student at Welton Preparatory, you are expected to conduct your life guided by the school’s motto.

The Dead Poets Society can also be seen as conformity. As the film progresses we gradually see the boys rebelling against the school’s pressure to conform replacing it with their own pressure to conform to a newly created society. Initially in the opening scenes the worst the boys would do is meet together in Neil’s room to smoke cigarettes. With the arrival of Mr. Keating the boys are encouraged to “Seize the day” and “Suck the marrow out of life.” With these new mottos in mind, we see the boys embark on a trail of rebellion. Being part of the “Dead Poets’ Society,” involves secret meetings. We see the boys dressed in dark hooded clothing sneaking to the secret spot where the meetings are held, in a cave nearby. At first the meetings involve, poetry being read, general chats and a bit of smoking. As time goes on pornography, alcohol, girls and loud, sexual saxophone music is being played by Charlie. Other scenes we are shown involve the boys acting very tribal with them chanting and dancing at their meetings. They think they are being rebellious, but without them realizing it they are conforming to the school’s philosophies by creating their own institution.

Neil Perry in particular has an issue with conformity. Neil finally had found what he wanted to do in life, acting. Through his guidance from Mr. Keating and involvement in the Dead Poets Society he realized this. In numerous scenes, we begin to understand how much pressure Neil is under from his father. His father wants him to be “normal” and become successful like everybody else at his school. We see that Neil’s family is not well off but do what they can to send Neil to the best school so he in turn when he is older can support his family. Mr. Perry sends Neil to Welton as he agrees with their values. If Neil had been able to conform to his school and their principles then he would have stayed alive. Neil replaced one sort of conformity for another and it was his compliance to be an individual and not conform to his school that destroyed him.

It is evident in the film “Dead Poets’ Society,” that conforming is the main theme and issue for key characters in the text. We are presented with two situations in which the boys had to conform, their school and the new club “The Dead Poets’ Society.” The boys rebelled against the school’s wanting to conform, but only found themselves creating another society in which that had to conform.