Part 9 of series: Hollywood and Higher Education: Teaching Worldview Thru the Stories We Live By
“No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
-Mr. Keating (Robin Williams)
by Gary David Stratton
The main characters of Dead Poets Society (1989) provide a perfect opportunity to observe, not only the remarkable skill of no less than three young actors (Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles) on their way to Hollywood greatness, but also a profound illustration the various array of practice shifts involved in the worldview of Existentialism (See, Bungee-Jumping to Eternity: The Existential Angst of Dead Poets Society).
Paradigm Shifts versus Practice Shifts
A worldview is a lot like an iceberg in at least two important ways: First, only their uppermost levels are visible to the naked eye. Second, that visible tip is not even close to the most dangerous part of an iceberg or a worldview. It is that proverbial 90% lurking beneath the waterline that can sink your ship… and maybe even cost you your life.
You cannot “see” the strategies, values, or stories guiding a person or society. Unless they are reflected in actions, words, or “cultural artifacts”—art, architecture, literature, technology, institutions, etc.—ideas remain hidden under the surface. Like mounting pressure on tectonic plates, no one knows how much power is really stored up until the ground begins to shake.
Many anthropologists, therefore, make a distinction between “paradigm shifts” and “practice shifts.” A paradigm shift is a change in the unseen world of ideas of an individual or society, while a practice shift is a change in actual behavior. For instance, in Casablanca, we had no idea what a profound paradigm shift Rick was experiencing until the moment we saw his practice shift in putting Ilsa on the plane with Victor. Or in Fiddler on the Roof, it was impossible to know if Tevye had actually shifted his marriage paradigm from a business/social contract to a romantic covenant until he applied his daughters’ paradigm in his own practices by asking Golda, “Do you love me?”
The critical moment that ultimately leads Keating’s students from paradigm shift to practice shift
The relationship between invisible paradigm shifts and visible practice shifts is a critical element of all good filmmaking. Whether it is Luke Skywalker turning off his targeting computer, because he has finally put his faith in “The Force,” or George Bailey asking God to make him live again, because he has finally reinterpreted his life as “wonderful,” the clearer the connection between a main character’s paradigm shift and their practice shift, the better.
Dead Poet Society (DPS) Character Transformations
Dead Poets Society offers the unusual pleasure of following the transformation arc of multiple characters, four of who get their own complete storylines. And while their paradigm shifts are similar, their practice shifts are radically different.
While Mr. Keating implores his students that “words and ideas can change the world,” it is Knox Overstreet who gives voice to the counter-balancing truth, “I’ve got to do something!” And do something is exactly what the young DPS members set out to do.
Knox Overstreet: For the Love of Chris
For Knox Overstreet applying Mr. Keating’s worldview to his own life story begins with the inciting event of Chris Noel (Alexandra Powers) coming into his life. What begins as obligatory dinner at the home family friends—the Danbury’s—turns into the beginning of an epic adventure. The Danbury’s football star son, Chet, is dating cheerleader Chris whom Knox decides is “the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my entire life.”
Instead of accepting the script written for him by his family and school, he invokes “Carpe Diem!” in his headlong pursuit of the girl of his dreams. The new plausibility structures of his new worldview open up the possibility of engaging in behaviors that would have been unthinkable just a few weeks earlier. He sneaks off campus to see Chris. He writes poetry about her.
Chris Noel, the Goal of Knox’s Quest
Finally, the internal pressure of his newfound love and newly expanded worldview reach a boiling point. Standing by the phone with the entire DPS watching, he rewrites his life story from the Welton/family worldview to his newly chosen existentialism in a single moment:
Knox: She’s going to hate me. The Danbury’s will hate me. My parents will kill me. (Looking at the group.) All right, God damn it. (Inserts coins.) Carpe diem!
Once committed—the “midpoint” of his story arc—there is no turning back for Knox. He kisses Chris at a party, reads her poetry at her school, and just when all hope seems lost, he wins a date and the heart of his true love.
Mr. Keating’s teaching has shifted his paradigm in such a way that his practice shifts with it. Knox rejects his Welton/family story that social structures must be followed and embraces a new story where he is free to think for himself and find his own meaning for his day-to-day existence. The ideas found in Mr. Keating’s Existentialism have serious consequences for Knox. His life is clearly changed and enriched from the experience.
Charlie Daulton: The Name is Nuwanda
Charlie Daulton’s (Gale Hansen) life story, on the other hand, isn’t so much transformed by Mr. Keating’s worldview as it is confirmed. As the film’s steadfast character, Charlie really doesn’t change much at all. He is a charming rebellious hedonist at the beginning of the film, and a charming and even more rebellious hedonist at the end. From bringing pornography, and later girls to DPS meetings, interrupting a school assembly with a phone call from God (also about girls), to painting a virility symbol on his chest and adopting the name “Nuwanda,” Mr. Keating’s Existentialism functions primarily to free Charlie to act on impulses he had previously restrained.
Mr. Keating attempts to reign in Charlie’s character with the warning: “Sucking the marrow out of life doesn’t mean choking on the bone. There’s a time for daring and there’s a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.” Yet he never really succeeds in actually transforming Charlie’s girl obsessed life story.
On a more positive note, his new worldview also helps Charlie to stand against external pressure. He is perhaps the first Dead Poet to “get” Mr. Keating’s courtyard marching lesson on conformity when he tells his teacher, “I’m exercising the right not to walk.” In the end, Charlie alone is the only Dead Poet willing to endure both paddling and expulsion without ratting out his friends or betraying his teacher.
While Mr. Keating’s worldview doesn’t really change the direction of Charlie’s life, it does help strengthen his character. While not exactly a heroic character, his exposure to existentialism certainly hasn’t hurt his life.
Todd Anderson: O Captain, my Captain!
Perhaps the most moving transformation in the film is that of Todd Anderson. At the start of the film, Todd’s identity is buried so deeply in that of the Welton/Family worldview, he functions merely as a sub-plot of his older brother’s story. Something inside him is so stirred by Mr. Keating’s message that he writes “Seize the Day” in bold writing in his notebook. Then we watch as the Welton/Family story wins out and he crumbles the paper and tosses it in the wastebasket.
But Mr. Keating is not finished with Todd yet. When Todd refuses to even admit that he has written a poem to be read aloud in class, Mr. Keating steps in:
Keating: “Mr. Anderson thinks that everything inside of him is worthless and embarrassing. Isn’t that right, Todd. Isn’t that your worst fear? Well, I think you’re wrong. I think you have something inside of you that is worth a great deal.”
Visions of a sweaty-toothed madman
In perhaps the film’s most moving scene, Mr. Keating writes Walt Whitman’s adage on the blackboard—“I sound my barbaric YAWP over the rooftops of the world”—and demands that Todd YAWP! Suddenly the paradigm shift that has been lurking beneath the surface of Todd’s life breaks into the open in his “sweaty-tooth madman” speech.
Todd: Truth like-like a blanket that always leaves your feet cold… Y-You push it, stretch it, it’ll never be enough. You kick at it, beat it, it’ll never cover any of us. From the moment we enter crying t-to the moment we leave dying, it’ll just cover your face as you wail and cry and scream.
Keating: [long pause then class applauds] Don’t you forget this.
Todd never does. In the film’s final climactic scene, Todd finally finds his voice. He leads the Dead Poets in their last act of heroism.
Todd Anderson : [stands up on his desk] O Captain! My Captain!
Mr. Nolan : Sit down, Mr. Anderson! Do you hear me? Sit down! Sit down! This is your final warning, Anderson. How dare you? Do you hear me?
Knox Overstreet : [climbs up onto his desk] O Captain! My Captain!
Mr. Nolan : Mr. Overstreet, I warn you! Sit down!
[Pitts climbs onto his desk, followed by Meeks, then over half the class, one by one]
Mr. Nolan : Sit down! Sit down. All of you. I want you seated. Sit down. Leave, Mr. Keating. All of you, down. I want you seated. Do you hear me? Sit down!
John Keating : Thank you, boys. Thank you.
As the bagpipe music closes on a freeze-frame of the Dead Poets (and even non-DPS students) standing on their desks, you literally FEEL the incredible power of romantic Existentialism. Mr. Keating has freed these young men from bondage to the gravity of Physicalism and sent them soaring into the invisible world of Ideals.
Todd is the first one on his feet, er, desk, in a final DPS salute to their “Captain”
Neil Perry: Finally Finding What We Want to do
O, if that was all there was to the story. But there is another major character. And it is his story that points us to the second similarity between worldviews and icebergs—what you don’t can literally kill you. Was there something lurking just beneath the waterline of existentialism’s iceberg that ultimately led to Neil’s tragic end?
We hate Weldon Academy making Mr. Keating their public relations scapegoat, and despise Cameron for insisting:
Cameron: If it wasn’t for Mr. Keating, Neil would be cozied up in his room right now, studying his chemistry, and dreaming of being called Doctor.
But he does have a point.
For Class discussion: The Trial of Mr. Keating
Come to class ready to discuss: Who bears the greatest responsibility for Neil’s death? Mr. Keating? Mr. Nolan? Mr. Perry? Neil? And why?
.
Next post in series:
The Blind Side Leading the Blind: Better Faith-Based Filmmaking through Better Stories
.
See also:
Hollywood and Higher Education: Teaching Worldview Through Academy Award-winning Films
Casablanca and the Four Levels of Worldview: Why Everyone Meets at Rick’s
Fiddler on the Roof: Worldview Change and the Journey to Life-Interpreting Story
Crash goes the Worldview: Why Worldview Transformation Requires Changing Scripts
It’s a Wonderful Worldview: Frank Capra’s Theistic Masterpiece
If you Live it, They Will Come: The Blind Side and Better Faith-Based Filmmaking
What a great movie! I think we all need to take a lesson from Mr. Keating and live life to the fullest. We need to live our lives the way we want to live them rather than the way our family or friends expect. I am the most indecisive person when others are involved. I hate picking out a restaraunt when I'm with friends because I'm always worried I'll pick something they won't like. I always end up letting them pick and in some cases go to the restaraunts I don't really like. This is a small similarity of what the boys of Welton went through. They were going through the motions trying to make their parents happy even if they weren't. Mr. Keating tried to show them that they can choose their own path and be happy with their lives. I need to take a lesson from Mr. Keating and get some courage to pick the restaraunt I want to go to! As well as other life decisions of course 😉
I enjoyed this movie. Looking back at my high school experience, it is clear to me that I could have used a teacher like Mr. Keating to motivate me to move beyond my fears and doubts and encourage me to be extraordinary. I don't think I have ever felt extraordinary about anything, just average. My early college experience was less than extraordinary … I was completely confused as to how to navigate through selecting a major and figuring out how to make a sensible plan — which explains why I'm in school now as an old woman. The existential idealist in me is hopeful that there is still time for me to figure out how to be extraordinary and to make it happen.
In response to the 2 questions posed, "Was there something faulty in the Mr. Keating’s worldview itself, perhaps something that even Mr. Keating wasn’t aware of? Was there something lurking just beneath the waterline of the iceberg of existentialism that ultimately led to Neil’s tragic Titanic ending?", my response is yes, perhaps depression. Mr. Keating did not realize Neil's was in an extremely fragile state because Neil did his best to cover it his emotions and lie about the fact that Mr. Perry had told Neil that he was forbidden from acting.
Belinda-
Take heart. It doesn’t matter when we start our transformation process, but *that* we start it. If I had finished my bachelor’s in my early 20s, then never cracked open another book that mattered, I would be much worse off than I am now. You’ve changed your life story for the better; don’t lose sight of that.
Tom
Belinda, We all have fears and doubts(iceberg below the surface). The truth is we don't know how things are going turn out. You are doing something now that you might have a greater appreication for because you are more mature. For the most part I have enjoyed this cohart much more than I thought possible – besides if you are an old women – what does that make me! Thanks for you post!
Thanks guys! I agree, the maturity thing is definitely a plus … much more focused this time around. And yes, we do have a great cohort!!
I also enjoyed this movie more than the first time I watched it. I think that there should be more teachers like Mr. Keating in high schools to help give students confidence to tackle their fears, however they would need to be careful how they approach this. You are also right about Mr. Keating not knowing how fragile Neil was during that part of his life.
~~~~~~Part 2~~~~~~~~ As much as we have been taught morals and values or have lived under rules and traditions, we all have a free will and make our own choices. Unfortunately, we live in a world where people do not take ownership for their actions and try to find something or someone to blame. Neither Mr Keating nor Neils father were responsible for Neils death however their teaching and guidance may have influenced Neils decision. I had a friend who committed suicide because his girlfriend left him after 15 years. The girlfriend was not responsible for Tom's death but may have influenced Tom's decision.
Totally agree with you Kelly. I grew up in a really conservative Christian home as well with strict do's and don'ts. I wasn't given the freedom to think for myself nor was it ever ok to give the appearance to the outside world that we weren't perfect. However, we all do have our own free will and can decide for ourselves how we choose to live and spend our time on earth. Our parents (as hard as it is) need to let us go and experience our own mistakes and learn our own lessons. Parents such as Neil's create so many expectations and a lot of times want to live vicariously through their kids so they never allow their children to have the freedom to become who they were created to be. This is a great film for children and parents alike. It really does have lessons for everyone.
I believe Mr. Keating was not responsible for Neils death. Mr. Keating expressed to his students to seize the day and live life to its fullest. Neil was inspired to do what he was passionate about and felt trapped that his father was not supportive. I remember my father asking what he did wrong in raising me that caused me to make bad choices; becoming pregnant before I was married. Point being, he did nothing wrong, I made a choice and thus had to deal with the consequence. I was raised in a Christian home, went to church, prayed, read my Bible and spent quality time with my family yet I still chose to go against the teachings of my parents and scripture.
Kelly,
We all make choices that we have to live with. Thank you for being so honest with your choices and how you addressed it. I do not blame Mr. Keating for Neil's death. I am disappointed with his death because there should have been a better way to resolve this. Guess the movie wouldn't have been so emotional if he didn't die???
Ultimately, Keating does not bear any responsibility for Neil’s suicide. Neil killed himself not because his father forbid him to pursue acting, or because he was going to be sent to military school. Neil’s death was due to years of verbal abuse by his father, and not having anyone else to stand up for him. Keating encouraged Neil to pursue his passion, but only at the permission of his parents.
Mr. Perry, over the course of years, developed a worldview in Neil that forbid any kind of individualism. Neil’s entire life was structured around the goals and desires of his father. On the contrary, it was Mr. Perry’s role and duty as a father to help Neil grow and develop according to his own talents, strengths and passions. When Neil experienced his own personal paradigm shift, and realized that he had his own desires, it came into direct conflict with the external force of Mr. Perry. This conflict was emotionally painful to the point where Neil sought the only escape he believed was available.
Keating’s influence came at a time when it normal for adolescents to draw away from parents, and find their own way. If it wasn’t Keating encouraging Neil, then someone else would have. Keating was working under the reasonable assumption that each of his boys’ parents understood that their sons were individuals, and had the freedom to make some decisions about their pursuits (within the framework of Welton. Neil’s suicide had been happening for years. Keating gave Neil one last gasp of air before Mr. Perry drove it out of him.
“I wish I’d never been told
that the species had souls
I am an emotional man
with thoughts and with tears
I guess I’m just an emotional man
with out-of-place feelings…”
– Mark Heard
Mr. Keatings existentialism is based on emotions and feelings. This can be invigorating, but also dangerous. Feelings come and go and they can mislead you. I think balance is very important. I tend to live more in the physical world (physicalism) than at being an idealist. Mr. Keating’s message may have been more suited for students in graduate school. High school kids like Neil Perry are not confident enough to stand up for themselves. This lack of confidence can last a lifetime. I also think Neil is like a lot of people to an extreme. People don’t like to go against the flow. This includes me; I still don’t always voice my concern or opinion on topics that I believe in.
I not sure I know what balance would look like. I would love to quit my job and go bike riding in different parts of the world. I don’t know how well that would go over with a wife, three kids, dog and a cat. I think I just have to “Carpe Diem” right now regardless of what I am doing.
Jerry-
Perhaps we could talk in terms of a “functional practice shift”. I would love to quit my job tomorrow and start a career in music. Unfortunately, that’s not financially practical. However, I can start using my free time differently, and find ways to use my passions and talents in that way. What I have found is that by not using music as a way to earn a living, I enjoy it more when I do get the chance to play.
Right on Tom! I think we all initiated that shift coming back to school…I know I didn't have extra hours in the day to make this happen without evaluating and prioritizing what I do with my time. Overcome the resistance!
I like your post Jerry. While I don't necessarily live a lifestyle of "Carpe Diem", I think I could use a good dose of physicalism now and then to reign in my emotions and feelings. I think you are right about Keating's influence on the DPS students … he was probably more influential than he imagined on his impressionable students. But in his defense, I don't think he could have foreseen the darkness hiding within Neil Perry — the iceberg underneath the surface. I think Knox Overstreet and Todd Anderson were better examples of how Mr. Keating intended to positively influence his students.
I would agree with your post Belinda. There was much more anger inside Neil long before Mr. Keating came along. Although I also agree that high school students are much more impressionable. Todd Anderson was a great example of how Mr. Keatings teaching helped him become more independent, and think for himself. His parents were only concerned with him turning out like his father. It is very interesting to see your perspective Jerry, because you have opened my eyes to another view of the story.
Excellent point Belinda about the two students that showed the intended, positive consequences. Especially the Knox storyline was utterly Romantic Existentialism to the core. One could also argue that it was 'by chance' that things turned out alright for Knox. He could have easily gotten a restraining order placed on him. It makes me think of the delicate balance that Jerry mentioned in having one foot in Physicalism and one in Idealism. I wonder how easy it is to get caught up in one flow or the other and how this can lead to depression, mania, schizophrenia or worse.
Jerry, I feel like I should "Carpe Diem" more! I too would love to quit my job, however realistically this can't happen. I do agree with Tom below that I can start using my free time differently. The way that you describe the movie make me think about it differently.
Jerry, it can be difficult to balance the to viewpoints, but I think that all of us in BBB have put ourselves on that course.
I also thought that the ideas that Mr Keating was teaching would have been more appropriate for older students. Knowledge is power, but we have to be discerning with who we impart the knowledge. We don't usually give race cars to someone just learning to drive.
As a follower of Jesus, change brings me closer to God. The process of change, in the short run, can be very painful, sometimes. Other times change makes me feel ecstatic. Jesus often tells me to slow down. I am beginning to understand the dynamics of my journey. I wonder if Neil had that chance to understand. My “Captain” is Jesus. He is my Hope, Strength, and Guide. I endure because I trust in my Lord and I have been given a foretaste of my future. I have God’s promises to look forward to. I have a relationship with Jesus and He supports me when I go through change. We celebrate together and we struggle together. He never leaves my side. We are held together with a yoke. I don’t know how close a relationship Neil had with Mr. Keating. I don’t know if they discussed what was in that book Mr. Keating left on Neil’s desk. Perhaps if Mr. Keating had given the boys more personal incite in the process of spiritual transformation Neil would not have committed suicide. When we talk about change, when we encourage change, we always focus on the bright side, hardly ever doing what is necessary to prepare for the dark side of change. This has me thinking.
Getting you thinking is EXACTLY what I am trying to do!!!
Oh so true, change can be scary but that fear is but for a moment knowing God is near. Change is good, it opens doors of opportunity and challenges us. No matter what change we go through, Jesus is our Captain and will guide and protect us. You explain that if Mr Keating would have explained to Neil about a spiritual transformation he may not have committed suicide. We do not know if Mr. Keating himself truely had experienced his own spiritual transformation?
Bob –
Your insight was interesting. The process of change can be painful and in Neil's case it was very painful. It did sadden my heart when Neil committed suicide – how hopeless he felt and it is so overwhelmingly sad that his father did not realize what he had done to his son during his life until it was too late (not sure he ever did because he was blaming Mr. Keating). I have the Lord on my side too to help me through change and give me hope during the dark days. God Bless.
My favorite line from the movie is when Mr. Keating tells them they have to write their own stories. Sometimes we have to free ourselves of family and societal paradigms. Donald Miller has a similar thought in A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, "So as I was wrting my novel, and as my characters did what they wanted, I became more and more aware that somebody was writing me." Miller goes on to say. "I admitted that someting other than me was showing a better way." In Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating introduces the students to their inner true selves, what Donald Miller calls the Voice, the Writer, that inner knowing that is guiding us to authenticity and a "better story." Too often, we spend our time walking in time with others, when God is calling us to dance.
I love it, walking with others when God is calling us to dance. Just like Todd was out of his element and stood on his desk so we too must step out of our element and put our faith and trust in God. Reading the Bible and praying to God will help us see the world from a different perspective and will help guide us in our decisions.
In thinking a little more about "Dead Poets"…particularly, the role and character of Mr. Keating…I admit to wondering about his inner motives behind the teaching style he used. While I ultimately think he was an exceptional instructor who cared about the students, I had a fleeting consideration as to whether he might also have been fighting his own worldview "monsters". The setting of rigidity and authoritarian leadership within the framework of educational setting must have placed restraints on his character and style. Perhaps he used his methods on the students because he wanted/needed someone to also give him permission to be passionate and poetic and to "live an extraordinary life". There also is no insight provided about his history with his family or educational journey, so one might wonder if he wanted to help the students be free from whatever constraints he may have experienced. These thoughts, if in any way true, would shift my perspective about Mr. Keating from hero status to a hint of villain–particularly, if he did not have pure motives or the best interest of the students at hand. How interesting–and this affirms that we don't always know the whole story and can be caught up in seeing just what we want to see. ("iceberg" theory–Two Handed Warrior).
Fascinating perspective! You are really getting this worldview stuff. Yes, it is possible that Mr. Keating might be fighting his own worldview "monsters". That an examination of these issues could result in witching him from hero to villain is a radical idea, but not at all outside the plausability structure of the conversation.
I agree, the movie gave little insight of Mr Keatings life prior to teaching. It seemed at some point in Mr. Keatings life that he may have felt like life was being sucked out of him. He reminded his students to seize the day and live life to its fullest. He wanted others to discover their full potential and go after their dreams. He also wanted to unlock the fear in other's that he himself may have battled.
I would have to lean more towards the exceptional instuctor and not a villan. When Neil drove off with his father after the play you could see the pain in Keatings face. Even if his motives did revolve around constraints he may have experienced it does not make it wrong.
I agree with your view of Mr. Keating as somewhat of a villain. He pushed the students to follow their hearts and break free from the conformity that the Welton administration (and their families and society) forces on them, but to me it was evident that Keating was using the students to stand up to something that he wasn't strong enough to do on his own. While I agree with Keating's Existentialist views to some degree, they may have been too strong for the age group of these boys. He should have taken his own advice rather than pushing Neil to "choke on the bone." There is something to be said for conformity over irrational, emotional decision making especially at the age of these boys.
Interesting point Jessica! I really didn't consider Mr. Keating not "taking his own advice" to live life to its fullest. Should he have taught at a different, more open school nearer to the woman he loved? Or maybe his idea of seizing the day was to break the traditions of his alma mater but without 'choking on the bone" as your pointed out? Seems like he might have been rash in his eagerness to challenge the status quo, but I think that Neil's decision really can't be pinned to one semester (or two) with a teacher telling the boys to take hold of their dreams.
Perhaps Mr Keating wanted to break free of his own constraints keeping him from his passions. I think he found his passion – teaching, he was hoping that his students did open up and discover their own passions. I think that perhaps Mr. Keating was just a bit too far ahead of his students. If you are trying to change someones thinking most people don't just jump on an idea, although the DPS students did just that. It was almost like they were just waiting for someone to tell them that it was ok for them to persue their passions and dreams.
Pingback: Carpe Diem and the Escape from Physicalism! Dead Poets Society, Part 1 | Two Handed Warriors