"Oh Captain! My Captain!"

     "Oh Captain! My Captain". The movie Dead Poets Society directed by Peter Weir construes the ideals of non conformity. Mr Keating the English teacher enlightens the students of Welton Academy by teaching them the true connotation of attending to ones desires. Three specific themes in the movie are: the students realizing the understanding of Carpe diem, Todd Henderson realizing his introverted personality and Neil Perry realizing his endeavor to express to his father his true passion.
     Carpe Diem translates to "sieze the day". During one of Mr. Keatings lessons he instructs the students to march in unison in the courtyard. Following, he instructs the students to walk in a way that pleases them. One of the students, Charlie, chooses the right not to walk. Mr Keating explains that it was an exercise  to relinquish ones right to walk. When the students first meet Mr Keating he informs them that they can refer to him as "O Captain! My Captain!" if they feel daring. The students were confused because they had been used to referring to teachers as Mr. or Sir. Mr. Keating suprised the students when he asked Neil to read the introduction to their poetry textbooks, which prescribes a mathematical formula to rate quality of poetry. Mr. Keating finds it ridiculous and instructs the students to rip out the introduction to the poetry textbook.
     Todd Henderson is very apprehensive, it is difficult for him to express himself or speak in public. Mr Keating assigns the students to write a poem and perform it in front of the class. Todd tries desperately to write a poem but due to self consciousness he tells Mr. Keating he didn't write a poem to avoid public speaking. Mr. Keating recognizes Todd's fears and takes him through an exercise of self expression realizing his full potential. Todd's roommate Neil and his friends decide to revive the Dead Poets Society. Todd is invited to be part of the Dead Poets Society. He decides he doesn't want to attend because each member has to recite a poem. Neil reassures Todd that he doesn't have to recite a poem. When Neil commits suicide and Mr. Keeting is fired and blamed for the misfortune, Todd courageously stands up on his desk during a English lesson and and yells "Oh Captain! My Captain!".  Mr. Keating realizing Todd's gesture understands. Other members of the Dead Poets Society feel obligated and stand on their desks.
     Neil Perry is a very bright student and terrified of disobeying his father. His father has already decided where Neil will go to school and what his occupation will be. Mr. Keating has inspired Neil to audition for   the play A Midsummer Night's Dream, he gets the lead. When his father learns of this, he orders Neil to inform the director that he can no longer participate in the play. Although Neil agrees, he eventually confides in Mr. Keating regarding the issues with his father. Mr. Keating advises Neil to tell his father his passion for acting; he may be angry but will eventually understand. Later, Mr. Keating asks Neil if he talked to his father. Neil hesitantly tells Mr. Keating he did, and his father understood, which was ultimately a lie. Neil lacks the courage to confront his father and pursues acting devoid of his fathers permission. Neil's father finds out Neil disobeyed his demands during his play. When the play ends his father is very upset. At home his father bluntly states Neil will be attending military school and persue a career in medicine. Neil saddened heads to his room. When his parents are sleeping he finds his fathers gun and commits suicide.
     The students of Mr. Keating English class learned an alternative perspective on life. The Dead Poets Society empowers students like Todd and Neil to express, through poetry, their innermost feelings and provided an escape from the norm bestowed by their parents.      


    

Homework Blues

     As I shuffled into the classroom, I knew that Mr. Van Camp would never believe me. I looked at my scuffed shoes and mumbled, "My homework is not done, Sir. I do have a good excuse though."

     Mr. Van Camp scowled as he looked up from the papers he was marking. "This is not the first time your homework has not been completed. Perhaps, he suggested, 'it's time to speak with your parents."

     "Please, you have no idea what will happen to me if you phone my home," I moaned.
"Well, let's hear your excuse. It better be good."

     I scrambled to come up with a good explanation. The first thing that came to mind was "I was dreadfully sick." Really, that's the best I could come up with. I looked well enough to be at school the next day.

     "Oh," remarked a disappointed Mr. Van Camp, I waited nervously for a response, "I guess that's a reasonable excuse."

     I let out a sigh of momentary relief, "Thank you for understanding."

     "Cole," he sharply remarked, "I expect your homework on my desk tomorrow morning."

     I nodded my head in agreement. "Yes, Mr Van Camp."

Panic started to set in. He had already given the class two periods to complete the homework and I hadn't even started.

     "Um, Mr. Van Camp," I hesitated, "I can't have the homework in by tomorrow."

     He had a jaded look on his face. "Why?'

     I couldn't handle the guilt. I had to tell him the truth. "I didn't finish," I quietly stuttered, "I haven't even started." I couldn't look at him. I paused apprehensively.

     He grunted angrily. "I've had enough I'm calling your parents."

     I was in no position to reason.

     "Hello," my mom effervescently responded.

     "Hi, it's Mr Van Camp regarding Cole's school work."

     I listened closely, indignantly mom asked, "What did he do?"
I was beyond in trouble.

Achilles

After Mrs. Mitty came out of the drugstore, they climbed into their automobile, Walter fastened his seat belt, turned on the windscreen wipers, and carefully pulled away from the curb. As they drove out of Waterbury he heard a boisterous cheer as Achilles rode into the blood soaked battle field. Behind him as far as the eye could see was positioned a large army. Walter Mitty the commanding leader of the opposing army stood motionless. If he exhibited any emotion he would strike fear into the eyes of the army. Achilles was as strong as an ox and as brave as a lion. He knew he was impossible to conquer, Walter Mitty knew it too and had an axe to grind. Originally he had a mischievous plan that would have the opposing army begging for mercy. However it was back to the drawing board once Achilles was the commander. Rays of sunlight illuminated, reflecting white light off the helmets' of the weary soldiers. The torridity of the sun caused it be hot as hell. "Alright men," Walter Mitty firmly stated, "it's never over till it's over." After an inspiring speech, Walter Mitty ordered the battalion to attack. Walter Mitty advanced, it felt as though Achilles was chomping at the bit. He traversed as swift as a leopard and the very hilt of his spear cast before Walter Mitty eyes. It was over he was mincemeat. Instantly, a sharp irritating voice quarreled, "Walter, you forgot to pay for parking." "Oh sorry, it must have slipped my mind," he replied. Walter Mitty dreaded the ride because it would consist of Mrs Mitty lecturing him.

"The Bambino"

     It was the fifth inning, game three of the 1932 World Series. Babe Ruth and The New York Yankees had won the first two games of a seven games series against the Chicago Cubs. Babe Ruth, looked asperous and as the years passed his belly proceeded to hang over his already out stretched pants. He was regarded as the greatest baseball player of the decade. I watched with great astonishment as Ruth approached the plate. The Chicago Cubs had been riding him mercilessly. To much of the Cubs surprise, Ruth played along with words and gestures. Charlie Root the opposing pitcher for the Chicago Cub's was slim and lanky and was not intimidated by Ruth's overwhelming demeanor. His first pitch was called a strike. Root gave Ruth a smirk and laughed. Ruth looked at Root, he stared with such intensity Root became transfixed. Ruth unexpectedly raised his right hand and extended one finger. Root missed with the next two pitches but the pitch after was called a strike, the crowd roared obstreperously. Ruth began to furiously shout at Root, looked back at the Cubs dugout and pointed two fingers towards center field. When his stubby fingers slowly stretched out and pointed to the center field fence, the stadium was rendored speechless. Ruth scrutinized Root, unable to let distractions take his eye off the pitcher. Root's next pitch was a curveball, Ruth blasted it 440 feet over the center field fence. The ball seemed to float over the fence. As Ruth rounded the bases the crowd was aghast. When he stompted down on home plate it resonated throughout the staduim. The exhiliarated crowd erupted.