![]() That phrase is by Thoreau and was invoked at every meeting. KEATING: The Dead Poets Society was dedicated to sucking the marrow out of life. Keating's old yearbook picture, he's intrigued. Keating was, as a student, a member of a mysterious group. It all begins when Neil discovers that Mr. Keating becomes their leader, inspiring them to make big changes in their lives…and form the Dead Poets Society. Keating, or if you're slightly more daring, O Captain my Captain.Īnd it's an appropriate title: Mr. Now in this class you can either call me Mr. Who knows where that comes from? Anybody? Not a clue? It's from a poem by Walt Whitman about Mr. Keating to his students and earn him the title of "captain" (courtesy of Walt Whitman): It's these dedicated lessons that endear Mr. You know, beyond the plans that mom and dad have laid out for them. What's more, he teaches them how to dream big. He teaches them the value of individuality and expression, and why it's fundamental to being a member of the human race. Sometimes they hold class on the soccer field, or on top of his desk. Keating takes the boys outside the classroom…and outside their usual experience. He wants the boys to live authentic lives. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. And the human race is filled with passion. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. KEATING: We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. He teaches them about life, love, and, you guessed it, poetry. And we don't just mean " carpe diem," though that's certainly an important one. Keating imparts some heavy wisdom onto his students. The Teacherĭespite the faculty objections, Mr. Why? Because he's marching to the beat of his own dang drum. And he isn't afraid to say it in his own words. Without dreams, he says, we can't fully live. Keating says that without those dreams, mankind can't ever feel free. Pretty appropriate, considering he's responding to a quote that says people are happier when they're not following foolish dreams. Keating answers a Tennyson (an uber-famous Victorian poet) quote by quoting… himself. 'Twas always thus, and always thus will be." MR. ![]() KEATING: "But only in their dreams can men be truly free. MCCALLISTER: "Show me the heart unfettered by foolish dreams and I'll show you a happy man." MR. Keating remains an outsider amongthe faculty, who view his teaching style as revolutionary and disruptive. Though he quickly becomes a favorite among the students, Mr. We're not laying pipe we're talking about poetry. After having Neil read an insanely dry and weirdly mathematical introduction to the poetry textbook, he lays it on them: ![]() Seize the day, boys, make your lives extraordinary. Listen, you hear it? (He whispers) Carpe diem, carpe diem. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. KEATING: Because, you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. He takes them to the hallway, where he instructs them to call him "Oh captain, my captain" and admonishes them to make the most of life, imparting some wisdom while they view photographs of former students long gone from Welton: Instead, he makes them leave the room, much to their surprise. After all, he'll likely be another bore…just like the rest. Keating to enter, they take what little opportunity to goof off that they can. So it's no surprise that the students expect their first day of class to be "same old, same old." As they wait for Mr. (Just like Neil, huh? Guess they have that in common.) It's all about the legacy, of which the old English professor was a part. Heads swivel toward the new guy as Headmaster Nolan (yet again) emphasizes the great importance tradition and reputation carry for Welton. Keating, he's being introduced to the entire school as the new English instructor. ![]() (He's just that awesome and heartwarming, after all.) The Outsider After all, what would John Keating-a character that is not only played by Robin Williams and therefore awesome and heart-warming, but has also inspired every person who is even remotely attached to the field of education/broadening minds/preaching to the masses about the glory of Lit (and film)-say if we gave his character synopsis less than 110%?Īctually, he'd probably say something super-witty and encourage us to write a better character synopsis. Therefore he's awesome and heart-warming.
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