Title : Dead Poets Society

Main characters : Headmaster – Nolan, English Teacher – Keating, Students – Charlie, Niel, Todd

Rating – 4 stars

Theme – Crape Diem, Conflict management

The story dates back to 1950s where there was an elite, all male boarding school by the name
Welton Academy. The story revolves around a group of students completing in their senior year. Mr.
Keating is a new English teacher who uses unconventional teaching methods in the
classroom. He inspires his students to follow Carpe Diem philosophy : ‘seize the day’ and ‘make
your lives extraordinary’. He is able to do this through the teaching of poetry. He encourages
them to stand on desks during his lessons and to be rebellious enough to tread the path where
their passion lies.

They resurrect Dead Poets Society club, which operates in a covert manner. Todd, who was an
introvert, is asked to deliver impromptu poetry by Mr. Keating. This exercise helps him to introspect
and be confident about himself. Niel, whose father wants him to join Ivy league, defies his father by
expressing his love for acting. Meanwhile things turned bad when Charlie published an article in
school newspaper which brings the club into notice of headmaster, who was not appeased with the
teaching methodology and rebellious nature of Keating. Niel, failing to convince his father commits
suicide. This is when the management decides to intervene and conspires against Keating. They ask
students to sign a petition which leads to the dismissal of Keating.

This movie talks about transcendentalism, a belief which conforms the existence of divine cosmic
energy in every individual. A sense of dignity and belief in personal power to bring about changes in
the society.

The movie also talks about various phases of conflict management. Before the arrival of Mr. Keating
the students were in accommodating mode : High cooperativeness, low assertiveness. The arrival of
Keating brings a sense of purpose in students where they want to pursue their passion and do not
want to be bounded in shackles of orthodoxy. They later turn to Competing Mode : High
assertiveness and low cooperation. However, the movie ends on a compromising mode where
Keating becomes victim of conspiracy and had to resign.

This movie reminded me of 3 Idiots where Frahan (R Madhvan) wanted to pursue his career in
wildlife photography, while he was not assertive enough to tell his father. Also the death of Neil,
who succumbed to societal pressure reminds me of Raju (Sharman Joshi), who attempted for suicide
as he couldn’t convince the arrogant and stubborn Viru Sahasrabuddhay (Boman Irani). 3 Idiots,
however, ended on a happy note where people realise their mistakes.