What Is Todd's Attitude Towards Children In Dead Poets Society

Students from the disciplinary school, Welton, are held captive in make believe shackles created by their parents. The endless chains of expectations and misguided approaches towards their children result in bruises and scars in the form of suicidal attempts or rebellion towards the culprit. Through Neil and Todd, characters in the film, Dead Poets Society, it is visible that their parents’ expectations, lack of emotion and sentiment towards their children and dominance are derived as problems parental attitudes can create for children. An apparent parental issue presented by Todd are the expectations established by his parents. As Todd’s brother was successful with high achievements, Todd was forced to undergo pressure and face the views that he would not
This is another issue that arises in the film Dead Poets Society where Mr Perry believes he has the right to take dominance over his son and vicariously live through his son’s success. It is evident, at the very start of the film, that Neil does not like his father’s disapproval of his participation in extracurricular activities. Their relationship is not strong because Neil refers to his dad as “sir” and whenever he is called by his father he would change his facial expressions where his smile drops, clenches his jaw and performs his actions rigidly. With an unsteady bond, Neil’s cry for individualism is louder than ever, meaning that he can go to extremities once he loses control. With Mr Keating in the picture, Neil finds an opportunity to enact his carpe diem and joins the play. He defies his father’s words and forges a letter of approval. When talking to Mr Keating about Mr Perry’s consent to the play, Neil fidgets a lot, avoids eye contact and stutters constantly. The supremacy and control over children’s lives can cause drastic measures and therefore is a problem for both children and parents