Now that fall is finally here, everyone is beginning their watches (or rewatches) of their favorite fall films. Dead Poets Society is an autumn cult classic with its beautiful fall imagery. But before we all start our yearly rewatch, it’s important to remember why this film is not just aesthetic for fall, but also a timeless, influential piece about politics and the importance of being yourself.
Conservative Ideals Surrounding Young Men
Most of the prominent issues in this film revolve around the conservative ideals pushed onto young men, in this case, at a 1950s private school. However, these ideals are still seen today in men and women, and historical films can really bring these ideas into modern conversations.
Each of the characters in this film are set up for success: they will become lawyers, doctors, or bankers, and earn all the money they’ll need to stay afloat. But none of this is truly what each boy aspires to do. Instead, it’s what they were told they wanted all their lives. Because of this, each boy is forced to become a sort of shadow of who they really are.
It’s these ideals that hurt people, in modern day just as much as the 1950s. How many talented painters force themselves to go to business school so they can earn money, rather than do what they love? The world revolves around money, and that’s what dulls the glow of most people. What’s truly important is finding the beauty in life, and that’s exactly what this film promotes. Maybe painting isn’t in the picture for you, and you have enough passion in business to be content and live a good life. What’s important is that you look out your car or train window, and find the beauty in the world around you. If you find the beauty and art in life, you’ll be forever happy.
Utilization of “Queer Coding”
Building on the theme of conservative ideals, the film also utilizes suggestions of queerness to create its message.
Firstly, the art in this film is primarily focused on two forms: literature (specifically poetry) and theatre. The film came out in 1989, and at this time, stereotypes may have regarded these interests as “queer,” specifically for men. Not only that, but Walt Whitman was easily the most mentioned poet in this film. The boys’ teacher, Mr. Keating, even had a photo of him framed above his chalkboard. This choice is incredibly purposeful. Whitman, while not being open about his queerness due to the time he lived, wrote poetry that clearly expressed his romantic attraction to men.
This brings us to two of our protagonists: Neal Perry and Todd Anderson. Neal is able to discover his love for acting through taking part in the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, while Todd learns to use his voice through poetry with the help of Mr. Keating. While nothing is ever confirmed between these characters by the end of the film, most fans take away that the two were more than just roommates. One particular line I have to point to happens within the same same scene that Neal decides to audition for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He steals Todd’s notebook, and upon realizing that there is a poem written inside, yells that he is “being chased by Walt Whitman.” Is it a coincidence? I think not.
Both of these characters are also pressured to be what they are not. Neal’s father is forcing him to live the successful life he never had, while Todd’s parents expect him to live up to his brilliant and talented older brother. Neither of the boys wants to play these roles, and throughout the film they slowly start to become their own people.
I feel like this interpretation of queerness within the film is very powerful. It builds on the idea of fighting a conservative and constraining agenda in a far more serious way.
“Poetry, beauty, romance, love. These are what we stay alive for.”
Robin Williams – Dead Poets Society
Keeping the Arts and Humanities Alive
Finally, I think it’s important to fully touch on a point that’s been brought up a few times, and that is the importance of the arts and humanities.
In the world we live in today, this is a very important concept to take away from the film. In media and the arts we are often faced with the prominent use of artificial intelligence. This takes away from the importance of humanity in the fine and liberal arts, which ends up taking away the real meaning of art entirely.
We have also started seeing a decline in literacy rates across the United States. This is dangerous. Literacy helps a person take in news and combat bias. Weaker literacy can lead us to follow the crowd and maybe even reject individuality entirely. This is exactly the world that Dead Poets Society fights against.
Instead of using AI and mindlessly checking off assignments, choose to read, work, and educate yourself. Dare to fall and get back up again. Life isn’t about knowing, it’s about learning. In the words of Mr. Keating, “find your own walk” and maybe even “exercise your right not to walk.”
Final Thoughts
Overall, Dead Poets Society is more than just a fall favorite. It’s a film that presents its audience with important and timeless themes about living your life with purpose and striving to always be yourself. Remember to take these ideas with you as you flip open that laptop and hit play, and even the next day on your way to class. Happy watching!