essay topics about dead poets society

Essay about Dead Poets Society: Film Analysis

Anyone can prepare themselves to become a stronger writer. It takes practice and self motivation to proceed in the process to get better. It’s not easy, but with determination it can be accomplished. In the film, Dead Poets Society, a new English teacher, John Keating, uses atypical methods of teaching to reach out to his students at an all-boys preparatory academy. Through his lessons, his students learned to overcome the pressures from their families and school and tried to pursue their dreams.

In “Part 3” of Cal Newport’s, How to Become A Straight-A Student, Newport provides tips on how students can prepare themselves to write powerful essays. The film can translate well into the book written by Newport because students can use the themes presented in the movie to help them overcome obstacles in the writing process. Writing has roadblocks like life, we have to conquer it to improve. While the objective from Dead Poet’s Society differs from “Part 3” of Cal Newport’s, How to Become a Straight-A Student, it can be implied that the power to becoming a strong writer is to overcome obstacles.

Sometimes it’s hard to keep an open mind for new ideas, but exploring and discovering different perspectives can help benefit the grade you receive on your paper. It will spark the audience’s interest because of the engagement of a divergent outlook. In the film, Keating says, “I stand upon my desk to remind myself… that we must constantly look at things in a different way. The world looks very different from up here… Just when you think you know something you have to look at it in another way… When you read, don’t just consider what the author thinks, you must consider what you think” (Weir, Dead Poets Society).

He stands on the desk to emphasis how looking at things from another viewpoint can change a person’s perspective. There isn’t only one way to look at ideas and objects. For your paper, try and find a unique perspective of your own and write your thesis. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. Sometimes a seed is needed to help you get started. Ask for opinions from your friends and professors. As stated in the text, “[They] will help you identify pieces of your structure that are unclear or unnecessary” (Newport 185). A perspective can be compared to a thesis.

It will change and evolve as you continue in the paper-writing process (Newport 157). It’s inevitable, just like how it’s inevitable for perspectives to stay the same. Don’t wait too long to get started, find your own standpoint and just write your thesis. Your thoughts matter. Once a standpoint is found, your voice needs to be heard. Building up the courage to express oneself through words will be beneficial and helpful in the process of becoming a strong writer. In the film, Keating is teaching his students that they do not need to be resigned to what the author thinks.

He tells his students, “You must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it all” (Weir, Dead Poets Society). This quote conveys that it’s best not to wait too long to find the courage to find your own voice and express it. This is similar to “Part 3” when Newport quotes a straight-A student saying, “I don’t believe in sitting in front of a blank screen and just starting to write, hoping it will come to you” (Newport 141). Waiting for ideas to come to you will waste your time.

You have to do whatever it is necessary to get the creative juices flowing. To become a powerful writer, a student must prepare to present their ideas in their own voice. You don’t get better overnight. Newport writes, “the hard truth is that the only way to get better at organizing and presenting your thoughts is through practice” (Newport 175). You get better as you practice. Writing may be intimidating, but taking the time to practice can help you improve. Making the most of the present time can help your paper become extraordinary.

In the film, on the first day of class, Keating takes his students out to have their lesson in the hallway, instructing them to observe the pictures on display because, even though they’ve passed it many times, they haven’t really looked at it. He tells his students, “Seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary” (Weir, Dead Poets Society). His message was to make the most of their lives, leave behind a legacy, because eventually death will come. When you are writing, you should limit your distractions and focus on the task at hand.

Making the most of your time will result in more work being completed. In “Part 3,” Newport states, “The key to effective paper writing is breaking down tasks into manageable units” (Newport 144). He is conveying that breaking down the writing process will be more organized and efficient than rushing to get it done. Once you’re done with the draft of your paper, come back to the thesis. “Don’t be afraid to leave room for ambiguity” (Newport 157). Be vague with the thesis. In life, students may not know how to become extraordinary and it’s okay to not know.

There is a broad list of opportunities. They will get there, but they have to take the steps towards that goal or find a way to get there. Writing a great paper doesn’t come to a person all at once, creating productive steps can help get to that level of work. However, if steps are made and there is no time being spent to complete them, it’s useless. Use your time wisely and your paper can become extraordinary. You don’t need to be a superhero to become a strong writer. The power is already in you, you have to find it and bring it out.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box for ideas, it will help bring attention to your paper. Once your ideas are found, use your own voice to express it in your writing. You don’t have to be resigned to a certain way of thinking. Make sure to spend time on writing your paper. Ideas will only be ideas if you don’t do the work. It may seem impossible to write an amazing paper right off the bat, but make it possible by practicing. You become a strong writer as you overcome the roadblocks. It’s only impossible if you don’t make it possible.

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Dead Poets Society Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

The novel begins with the opening ceremonies at a private boys school. What do the opening ceremonies reveal about the school?

Essay Topic 2

The school is founded upon four pillars or principles. What are the four pillars and why are they important?

Essay Topic 3

Parents are present for the opening ceremonies at Welton. What is revealed about family relationships during and after the opening ceremonies?

Essay Topic 4

Knox has dinner with friends of his father. Why is the visit wonderful and horrible at the same time?

Essay Topic 5

A topic in Mr. Keating's class is poetry analysis. How does Mr. Keating believe that poetry should be analyzed?

Essay Topic 6

Mr. Keating tells the boys to "seize the day." How does Mr. Keating want the boys to "seize the day" and how do they succeed at the effort?

Essay Topic 7

Mr. Keating stands on his desk during...

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Dead poets society - Free Essay Examples and Topic Ideas

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film directed by Peter Weir. The story follows an English teacher at a conservative all-boys boarding school who inspires his students to seize the day and embrace their passions, including poetry, in defiance of the school’s strict cultural and academic expectations. The film explores themes of individualism, conformity, and the power of poetry and literature to inspire and transform one’s life. It stars Robin Williams as the inspiring teacher, John Keating, and a young cast of actors, including Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, and Josh Charles. Dead Poets Society has become a classic of American cinema and is recognized for its powerful performances and compelling storytelling.

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Dead Poets Society Essay Examples

Dead poets society: teaching strategies and film analysis.

In 1989, the film Dead Poets Society was released in the United States starring Robin Williams; this cinematographic production’s intention was to make people reflect upon the different ways of teaching particular subjects. Thus, this leads to wonder about the various teaching strategies that can...

The Methods of Authoritarian Parenting Style in the Film Dead Poets Society

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 film, directed by Peter Weir, which won an Academy Award. It says the tales of John Keating (Robin Williams), who was an English teacher at a prestigious 1950s all-boys Preparatory School, Welton Academy. Mr. Keating tried using unorthodox learning...

The Core Ideas of Transcendentalism in "Dead Poets Society" and "Self-reliance" Movies

Transcendentalists had an abundance of key values that made up their movement. Some among them being, self-exploration, intuition, personal identity, non-conformity, and spirituality. These values made up the transcendentalism movement that occurred in the 1830-40s. During this time many rejected social norms and attempted to...

A Marxism Approach of the Character (neil Perry) in Dead Poets Society

A lot of films can make you cry and are inspirational but here’s one movie that will change your perspective in a student-teacher relationship. According to the movie, in my own thoughts, we see things the way we look at them, try look into it...

Dead Poet’s Society Through the New Hollywood Lens

Dead Poet’s Society can be considered part of the New Hollywood film movement because of its counter-cultured theme and use of new film techniques that enthrall a younger audience. The director, Peter Weir, uses distinct camera angles, mise-en-scene, and strong stylization to create this riveting...

Coverage of Carpe Diem in the Film Dead Poets Society

In the film, Dead Poets Society, Professor John Keating approaches education in a different way with his students at Welton Academy. Mr. Keating teaches his group of students his philosophy of life which is to seize the day. Along with this philosophy, he conveys the...

The Film Dead Poets Society and a Photograph Tank Man: Authority and the Individual

“Wherever there is a man who exercises authority, there is a man who resists authority”. – Oscar Wilde The oppressive nature within certain authoritative figures possesses the capability in instigating acts of defiance due to conflicting viewpoints within disenfranchised individuals. Furthermore, this resistance contributes as...

The Relationship of Authorities and Individuality in Dead Poets Society and Lord of the Flies

Contradicting values and beliefs between the dismissive authority and the individual catalyses an undemocratic relationship manifesting tension and inevitably provoking insurgence. Contrastingly, a supportive relationship between a respected authority and the individual will inspire individuality, positively impacting an individuals life as a result of the...

Exploring the Theme of Freedom in Dead Poets Society

The Dead Poets Society, is an exaimination of the pressures that a life of expectations and tradition that lock down free thought and free expression.The students are forced into the rigiged ideals and tradtions of their families while the schools out of way to limit...

Complex Human Experience in Rosemary Dobson's Poems and Peter Weir’s Film Dead Poets Society

‘One life behind and one before and I that stood between denied’ In cock crow, the persona yearns for independence, but her domestic duty restricts her, reflecting the complex impact of collective experiences on individual human experiences. Hi and welcome to Our Experiences, your late-night...

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