Examples Of Conformity In Dead Poets Society

The film, “Dead Poets Society,” directed by Peter Weir, is a classic example of conformity versus nonconformity. Its main appeal is in the passionate acting of Robin Williams, who plays John Keating, an inspiring teacher with unusual methods. Inspiring co-stars Robert Sean Leonard and Ethan Hawke play Neil and Todd, students enrolled in the school Keating teaches at. The film is set in a very strict all boys school that has many rules and guidelines, yet undoubtedly the boys, inspired by Mr. Keating, begin to rebel against the structure and authority. Peter Weir uses a number of film techniques to develop this theme of conformity versus nonconformity. The importance of these techniques is revealed in the film through the use of setting, sound
The general setting of, “Dead Poets Society,” is Welton, an all boys school in rural Vermont, New England in the late 1950s. At the beginning of the film the viewer gets the first glimpse of the school; its sturdy stone structure and high interior walls and ceilings, shown in high angle camera shots emphasize the power and authority of it. The dullness in color of the building and the rigid angular shapes of the school’s architecture gives the viewer a sense of formality and discipline. Later, the audience sees the students of the school dressed in the same, dull, grey-colored school uniform moving around in classrooms, corridors and dormitories that seem claustrophobic. This
Mr Keating inspires his students to look at things in different ways and in doing so, asks them to rip out the introduction in their poetry textbooks. Hesitant at first, the classroom is soon filled with the sounds of pages being torn out and excitement amongst the students. The audience soon learns that Mr. Keating is a former student of Welton and tells the boys of the secret club him and his friends were in. Crouched around Mr. Keating, the boys’ faces light up when they learn of the Dead Poets Society. Another scene shows Neil finding Mr. Keating’s old poetry book in his room; the music playing during this scene is the same music playing when Neil commits suicide. This film technique of foreshadowing through the use of music connects the influence of the Dead Poets Society and Neil’s final moments longing for personal freedom. His yearn for individuality results in a fatal outcome-death. The Headmaster, not wanting his school to close because of a suicide, blames Mr. Keating and the Dead Poets Society, and fires him. There is a scene where the boys are arguing over who’s to blame for the whole situation and the camera shot shows Todd in the dark, at the back of the room, but when he stands up for Mr.Keating he moves forward into the light. This is a good use of lighting by the director, it shows Todd, in his quiet, dark, conforming state, coming into the light and expressing