Mr. Keating – Dead Poets Society
Robin Williams, who would have turned 70 earlier this year, is brilliant and Mr. John Keating in Peter Weir’s terrific (but far from perfect) Dead Poets Society. Returning to his alma mater, John Keating is a teacher ahead of his time, challenging his students to question norms and find their own cadance and their own voice. He uses the power of the written word – poetry in particular – to illustrate to his students that there is more to life than the pursuit of conventionality and career and cash. He convinces them to find who they are and to live that truth.
The message remains powerful today.
That he loses his position for challenging social norms is somewhat predictable.
Would that more of us would be willing to put ourselves on the line like Mr. Keating.
I note that the film is far from perfect because I am continually saddened and frustrated by the third act when Neil dies by suicide. This is too serious an issue to treat lightly or to make a plot point without proper attention, and I do not believe it receives that in Dead Poets Society.
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Please call 800-273-8255
We never know the influence we have… While culture tends to promulgate the “those who can, do, those who cannot, teach” idiocy, there are hundreds of examples of brilliance and impactful teachers in reality and in pop culture. Every-other-week this year, I will share my brief reflections on Smart People Doing Smart Things be they in literature, in film, in music or in real life. Many will be teachers, but not all. Many will be fictional, but some will be real. All will be inspiring. Welcome to IntelliPop!
