Dead Poet Society: Reflection Paper

What exactly does it mean to be alive? Can we truly say that we are living if we are limited
by what other people want? We're left with the decision of who we'd like to please. Who
is more important to me: myself or people around me? We choose to satisfy others, but
are we happy as a result? We make decisions for ourselves, but some people will begin
to despise us. But that's not all; the true issue emerges when we are unable to make our
own decisions.

“Life without freedom is comparable to being dead.”

Neil's sole purpose in life is to provide for his family. His family is not as wealthy as his
classmates', and his father was still skeptical after seeing his potential. This was enough
to convince Neil that he would never be able to govern his life. And, according to Thoreau,
this form of existence is akin to death.

The name "Dead Poets Society" comes from this. Someone is already a dead poet the
moment they decide to explore their independence. Because they have already realized
that they "had not lived," and they have begun to live for themselves. It's not simply about
surviving. Your previous self is already dead the instant you discover you aren't free and
decide to do something about it.

The film Dead Poets Society is about making decisions. Some students opted to remain
the same, bound by what the people around them expected them to do, while others
recognized the truth and decided to make changes in their life.

I learnt that if we put aside other people's expectations and focus on what we want and
what we believe is best for ourselves, we can do everything we set our minds to. This
concept was examined by demonstrating to the audience the contrasts between being
bound by other people's expectations and demands and being able to make our own
decisions.