Dead Poets Society Analysis Essay Example
Topic: The film shows us that seizing the day leads to unhappiness. Do you agree?
The film Dead Poets Society explores the idea of “carpe diem”. Through the clever use of film techniques, appropriate dialogue and fitting metaphors, seizing the day is shown to provide brief satisfaction, as well as long-term happiness. This applies not only to the individual who enacted it, but also to those around them. To make the effects of “carpe diem” even more obvious, the negative impacts caused by the reluctance to seize the day is also presented. In no way does the film show that seizing the day leads to any unhappiness.
Immediate pleasure is always shown to be the result of seizing the day. Neil’s excitement about seizing the day is shown clearly from the time he tells Todd about his audition. He energetically jumps on and off the bed, showing his utmost joy. The fast panning of the camera makes this motion even more obvious. When he receives the main part, his glee is demonstrated when he pounds on the doors of all his friends to yell out the good news. His impatience shows the intensity of his bliss. Again, the camera follows his motion to let the audience feel his delight. Neil’s happiness about seizing the day is further shown when he cannot stop smiling after he receives a standing ovation for his performance.
Seizing the day is also shown to bring positive long term results, changing characters’ lives forever. This idea is best demonstrated by the character Knox, who seizes the day by pursuing Chris. The director cleverly selects A Midsummer Night’s Dream to be the play they watch together to show Knox’s success. In A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Hermia loves Demetrius when she falls under a spell. However, her true love lies with Lysander. The film wants the audience to compare Knox and Chris with Lysander and Hermia. It suggests that the two will finally love each other after the “spell” forcing Chris to love Chet is lifted. The peaceful music from the play and
The film Dead Poets Society explores the idea of “carpe diem”. Through the clever use of film techniques, appropriate dialogue and fitting metaphors, seizing the day is shown to provide brief satisfaction, as well as long-term happiness. This applies not only to the individual who enacted it, but also to those around them. To make the effects of “carpe diem” even more obvious, the negative impacts caused by the reluctance to seize the day is also presented. In no way does the film show that seizing the day leads to any unhappiness.
Immediate pleasure is always shown to be the result of seizing the day. Neil’s excitement about seizing the day is shown clearly from the time he tells Todd about his audition. He energetically jumps on and off the bed, showing his utmost joy. The fast panning of the camera makes this motion even more obvious. When he receives the main part, his glee is demonstrated when he pounds on the doors of all his friends to yell out the good news. His impatience shows the intensity of his bliss. Again, the camera follows his motion to let the audience feel his delight. Neil’s happiness about seizing the day is further shown when he cannot stop smiling after he receives a standing ovation for his performance.
Seizing the day is also shown to bring positive long term results, changing characters’ lives forever. This idea is best demonstrated by the character Knox, who seizes the day by pursuing Chris. The director cleverly selects A Midsummer Night’s Dream to be the play they watch together to show Knox’s success. In A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Hermia loves Demetrius when she falls under a spell. However, her true love lies with Lysander. The film wants the audience to compare Knox and Chris with Lysander and Hermia. It suggests that the two will finally love each other after the “spell” forcing Chris to love Chet is lifted. The peaceful music from the play and