Dynamic Character In Dead Poets Society

The movie, “Dead Poets Society,” directed by Peter Weir, receiving an 8/10 rating on “IMBD”, was released in June 2, 1989. The main characters in this movie are John Keating, played by Robin Williams, Neil Perry, played by Robert Sean Leonard and Todd Anderson, played by Ethan Hawke. This movie is about new English teacher, John Keating, who arrives at a prep school and he connects to the students using unconventional techniques. The boys face immense pressure from their parents so John Keating helps the students unwind by encouraging them to explore their passions and shows them a different perspective on poetry.
A new student, Todd Anderson, arrives to Welton Academy, an elite prep school to begin his senior year and he’s assigned to be
roommates with the bright, Neil Perry. A new English teacher, Mr. Keating, arrives at this strict school and teaches the students using unorthodox methods. The students become intrigued with these new teaching styles he uses to bring the classroom alive and he encourages them to make their lives count and advices them to “carpe diem” (seize the day). He allows the students to see poetry from a different perspective and tells them to strive to find their own voice. Neil Perry learns that John Keating used to be a member of a disapproved group called, “Dead Poets Society” while he attended Welton. Neil and his friends restarted this group and sneaked out of campus without permission every night to go to a cave where they read poetry, some their own as well. John Keating inspires his students to live life the way they want to, causing Knox, one of Neil’s friends, to pursue a girl relentlessly even though she was already engaged to someone else. Neil develops a passion for acting and takes part as the lead role in a local play in spite of his father’s domineering wishes that he attends medical school. John Keating also helps break Todd out of his shell allowing him to express himself and realize his promising skills. Neil’s father finds out that Neil is acting in a play and demands that he quits. Neil turns to his teacher, John Keating for advice and Mr. Keating advices Neil to stand up to his father and show him that Neil is serious about theatre. However, Neil does not talk to his father and lies to Mr. Keating by telling him that he had gotten permission from his father to continue acting as long as his grades remain well. Nevertheless, Neil’s father attends his performance and the lie is discovered. Neil is taken home and the father forces Neil to attend military school so that he can get into medical school. Neil is left feeling frightened and trapped unable to make a decision between passion and parent’s happiness. John Keating is inspiring and encouraging to the students, a mentor, and teaches utilizing unorthodox methods which conflicts with Welton’s strict rules. Robin William’s successfully portrayed this character as he touches the audience with tragic emotion and inspiration. Neil Perry is a confident character who is a natural leader and excels in his studies. Robert Sean Leonard is a strong actor as he displays various emotional shifts from being rule abiding to pursuing his dreams and finding his own voice to becoming helpless. Todd is an introverted, obedient and dynamic character that lacks confidence in the beginning however reaches his potential with the help of Neil and Mr. Keating. Ethan Hawke plays this character strongly as he is able to show development of the character from a shy student unaware of his potential finding his voice.

Todd Anderson is a dynamic character that shows various emotions throughout the story and develops as a character.
He starts off as a shy and insecure student with too many expectations put on him as he must follow his older brother’s success. His fear became not being able to leave a legacy behind, find his voice, and believed he had nothing to contribute. Todd thinks ways to express himself however the reality hits him and destroys his thoughts of potential eminence. Mr. Keating is able to help Todd find his voice where Todd recites his own poem, expressing that passion is why we are alive however passion should be controllable, don’t let passion control us. Todd is the only character that sufficiently understood Mr. Keating’s message that he was trying to teach. Neil let his passion control his life leading to his suicide, Nwanda let passion get him expelled and many other students similarly never grasped his teachings correctly. When Neil suicides, Todd truthfully states the cause of his death was his father and this is where he realized his passion was telling the truth. Todd was the only one that understood the reason to Neil’s suicide. Todd is very loyal, especially to Mr. Keating as he was the only one that stood up to the accusations against Mr. Keating. However, Todd was obligated to sign the confession for Mr. Keating to get fired as his education was at risk if he didn’t. His enormous loyalty caused his to become guilty for signing the form and decided to give
Mr. Keating an explanation to why they all signed it. Todd was the first to stand on his desk and say, “Oh captain! My Captain,” as his verse to contribute. Todd began in the story as a realistic character that thought he had nothing to contribute even thought he wanted to and he was insecure about himself and struggling to express his emotions. However, Todd was able to understand Mr. Keating’s message as he learned to express his thoughts by standing up on that desk to show his loyalty and respect to Mr. Keating’s teaching. Todd was able to find his voice and express his thoughts at the moment it mattered the most. I would recommend this film as it moved me to tears portraying important lessons about life and it changed my outlook on passion.
I think teenagers and adults would enjoy this film more as they can relate to the meaningful theme in this film of choosing between passion and reality and finding the right balance. It also sparks an inspiration in me to live life with passion and live everyday to the fullest because every day is valuable since we don’t know how many we have. This story had an engaging plot as it introduced me to a new perspective of poetry which I never had. I would rate this film an 8/10. Overall, this was a great film with a moving theme and dynamic characters that connect to the audience so well that they to experience the emotions with each
character.