Individualism In Dead Poets Society

The film Dead Poets Society greatly explores overcoming of authority and finding one’s identity. The conflicts the characters face thoroughly demonstrates the significant principles of individualism and freedom. Neil Perry’s inability to overcome his father’s authority led to suicide which was the only way he could see to take control of his life. Todd Anderson incapability to speak in front of others was overcame towards the end of the film by some experiments conducted by their English teacher, Mr Keating. He was the first to stand on a table when paying respects to Mr Keating and was the only character to understand what Mr Keating meant by a man’s life being run by passion. Knox Overstreet became obsessed with a girl named Chris after meeting her only once and ends up defying authority and risking his relationship with his family by trying to win her heart. In all cases, the characters begin to gain individual authority through their choices; they begin to overcome
Knox decides to risk his relationship with his family by standing up to Chet, Chris’s boyfriend, by romantically attempting to win Chris’ heart. This sort of decision allowed him to go against the rules set by his family. Chris is practically engaged to Chet, and Knox trying to win her heart would violate everything Knox and Chet’s family shared. He disobeyed authority and managed to win the heart of the girl. Chris goes with him to the play that Neil stars in and even holds his hand. In a sense, Knox has succeeded against authority as he has prevailed against the authority figure, Chris’s boyfriend Chet. Overstreet’s experience proves that authority should act as a guide, not as a power. Knox’s passion was Chris and he overcame the adversity of her boyfriend in order to win her heart, prying away from the one way street, finding his identity in the