"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.