Examples Of Deceptive Appearances In Dead Poets's Society

The idea that appearances can be deceptive but necessary is reflected in 20th century context. George Orwell’s novel, ‘1984’ and the film, ‘Dead Poet’s Society’, directed by Peter Weir (1989), reveal that society was fearful of rising ideologies after the bomb. The two texts highlight that while propaganda and conformity are societal issues, it is necessary to be critical of totalitarianism, tradition and allow appearances to be deceptive.

Appearances can be deceptive when influenced by propaganda; however, they are necessary when truth threatens to undermine the stability of authority. Orwell's criticism of totalitarian ideologies that emerged after WWII was reflected in the dystopian society of ‘1984’. The deceptive appearance of a state
‘Dead Poet’s Society’ is set in the conservative Welton Academy in 1959 to depict that encouragement of conformity and the need to create deceptive appearances is established early in life. In the context of the 1950s, the rise of social revolution also led to an opposing ideology: conservatism. The Cold War that arose during the 50s created instability, causing people to turn to institutions that deceivingly propagandised tradition as necessary in society. The wide shot of the uniformed boys grouped together, reciting in unison the four pillars, “tradition”, “honour”, “discipline”, excellence” conveys that even in educational institutions, propaganda was be embedded in to them by authoritarians. This juxtaposes to “travesty”, “horror”, “decadence”, “excrement”, portraying that while the students find it necessary to be deceptive and appear acquiescent, the natural teenage instincts of rebellion could not be controlled. Conversely, in ‘1984’, the Party’s goal was to eliminate the sex instinct could not be achieved, as Winston and Julia’s relationship controverts this. Pressure to live up to restrictive expectations from a young age is an ideal most predominate in the traditional context, though it is still a part of modern day society. The propaganda educated to them that “medicine, law,
The mindset that homogenised society was ideal and all anomalies should be subjugated existed in the context of the 40s, under the Nazi dictatorship of Hitler. In ‘1984’, Winston is a subversive protagonist, but despite his instinct to rebel against the Party, it is necessary for prolonged survival that features of his deceptive disguise have unwittingly conformed to the hegemony. The setting of “Room 101” appropriates the horrifying conditions of a concentration camp. The use of a person’s greatest fears to force them in to conformity emphasises that while appearances can be deceptive, there comes a point when the necessity for self-preservation becomes greater than all else, symbolised by the exclamation, “Do it to Julia!” This preservation instinct is parallel to ‘Dead Poet’s Society’, when Cameron says “Let Keating fry… Why ruin our lives?” The final lines, “He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.” are ironic, as Winston’s attempts to rebel have failed and he has conformed to the like-minded society. However, Big Brother’s facade of being an unquestionably reigning supreme is essentially, a lie. The extent of the Party’s torture on Winston reflect that while it is possible for the mind and heart be broken, the individual has the ability to withstand great lengths, emphasising