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?
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Next post in series:
The Blind Side Leading the Blind: Better Faith-Based Filmmaking through Better Stories
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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
As I kid, I saw the trailer of this movie at another forgotten movie that I had gone to at the theaters. I've always wanted to watch this but I'm glad that I finally had the chance. Mr. Keating absolutely opened up the eyes of his students to a different world views. He also literally opened their eyes by telling them to stand on the desk to view the world from that perspective. Seeing how the characters evolved in the short amount of time since they've encountered Mr. Keating got me to thinking about my own world views. I come from a background that has tunnel vision when it comes to how a person is to act because of reputations or because of social status, the fear of how others will view you or your family is a lot of pressure to be under.
I would not say that there was anything faulty in Mr. Keating's worldview. I think his worldview was inspirational and wise. Not that the film had any room for additional storylines or depth, but I wish we could have known a bit more about how Mr. Keating became the proponent of "carpe diem" that he was. We get to find out how/why he created the DPS, but to my knowledge, we don't know whether or not his parents placed great expectations on him or how he became a great proponent for change. I'd like to see the prequel. 😉
Great idea! If we could come up with $25M to fund it, I'll bet they'd make it! I'd sure pay to see it!
Tricia,
I agree with you. I would have liked to have known how Mr. Keating got to where he is. Was he at one point like the rest of the students he passionately taught? Did Mr. Keating face the same obstacles that his student endured from the school and his parents? What did he do differently? I felt a bit let down that we did not learn more about Mr. Keating.
In a way, we did see the prequel…I imagine Mr. Keating had his own "Mr Keating" and went through a transformation similar to that of the students in his class. He came back to repeat the process or pay it forward, in his own way, but a similar story.
Mr Keating told the students too call him "Oh Captain My Captain". He wanted the students to see himself as there guide, there navigator. My Keating however only provided the inspiration for the students. He never instucted them to do anything other than think for themselves.The students are the ones that lead the movie once Mr Keating unleashed them.
It wasn't just the fact that Keating is an amazing teacher but much deeper than that, it was the fact that Keating was making sure Todd knew that he doesn't get to just live in his brothers shadow in his class or this world. Todd had been so used to just existing, quietly going about the business of his life and not wanting to draw attention. Todd also was used to being an afterthought. Take for example the second desk set he received for his birthday – he didn't like it nor want it and he was upset that his parents gave it to him, but he wasn't going to make a big deal out of it. He didn't seem to think he deserved better. The way Keating made Todd come up with a poem was a fantastic example of the transformation that takes place in all of us when we realize that we have a voice, passions, dreams and that we truly matter. Todd awakened words from his heart and soul that he probably didn't even know he had. He had the courage to reach deep down to identify what he was feeling. I think we all need to find our inner poet at different times in our lives and not forget that no matter how we feel, we matter.
The first time I saw DPS, the phrase "Carpe Diem" stuck with me for a long time. Almost a decade later, I wish I would have remembered to seize the day each and every day since. There are several things the movie taught me, including the fact that we each have passions, dreams and desires, we just need to find out what they are. The scene where Keating focuses in on Todd and doesn't allow him to get away with saying that he didn't write a poem was profound for me.
Tricia, when I first saw this movie this philosophy stuck with me for a long time too. This is a great inspirational movie that allows the viewer to grow along with the students of Welton Academy. Mr. Keating's idealism view is inspirational to any adult who needs a new direction in life.
There are many circumstances and issues to analyze in this movie but one of the scenes in the beginning where keating is standing behind the students and pointing out the previos classes. He talks about legacies and inspiration. Carpe diem is whispered behind the students. At firdt it seems awkward to them and suddenly you see them get drawn in further. It is a powerful moment setting up for the rest of the movie.
Sorry for the typos but i can only get my nook to post so typung is difficult!
Noelle,
Another scene that was inspiring to me was when Todd finally came out of his shell in front of the class. He was able to use language that you did not see through out the film. Sometimes we all need that extra push to break us out of our shells. This probably set the final scene of the film up when Todd apologize to Mr. Keating as he was leaving the classroom and inspired other students to also stand up on their desk.
I agree with you.Carpe Deim is the main theme of the rest of the movie. This scene expresses the limited time we humans have on earth to make an impact. The students in the photsos were dead and there time past. Mr Keatings students are at the begining of their lives journey and should sieze the day!!!
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
I'll stand by my original statement and only add that while I agree that Neil's father is the source of the pain that led Neil to take his own life, I don't think it's possible to say Mr. Keating has no responsibility in that matter. Sticking with the movie theme, I think the line from Spiderman was something like "with great power, comes great responsibility." I think Mr. Keating had more power than he realized over the lives of the young men in the movie and assumed more risk than maybe even he realized.
I agree Tom, Mr Keating gave Neil the courage to allow himself to finally find something that he was passionate about and do it, regardless if it was part of him fathers plan.
I thought Mr. Keating's "carpe diem" philosophy was flawed, especially for high school students lacking maturity or experience to put it into context. While in itself, the phrase is a great way to inspire others to pursue their talents and passions, in absence of a long term vision, it is a long,hard fall if things don't work out the way you expect. That "fall" killed Neil because he wasn't prepared to handle the negative curve in his story. If you are living for the day, it seems plausible that you would die for a day, if that's the range of one's vision. That said, for the purpose of the story in the movie, I found the philosophy moving and inspirational. We should all try to remind ourselves to "seize the day" more often, and if we can't, find out what part of our worldview is inhibiting the behavior.
Thanks for your post Earnie. The point about long term vision I think is a very true. Any time you do something new it is usually exciting. Existentialism by nature would have you try more ideas and inspirations. The ups and downs will come regardless of how much you like what you are doing. Scripture comes to mind, and say's "with out a vision my people parish". The vision keeps you going when the are times come.
Excellent insight, both of y'all (that's for you, Texan Earnie.) My husband and I were just discussing maturity and insight that comes with experience and age. If you don't have that life knowledge of the ebb and flow of the perils of life, you can easily succumb to its lowest of lows even if you have the world's supreme Comforter at your side. I know from experience of mild cases of depression in my own teen years that the world can seem so overwhelming with no option otherwise. This isn't relegated to teens alone of course, we even had an instance of George Bailey not seeing any light at the end of his tunnel. Such a slippery slope if you let yourself be guided on feelings and impulses alone.
i agree that perhaps Mr Keating's "carpe diem" philosophy might have been to much for high schools, not because the idea in itself is wrong, but because they might have taken to literally. I thought that his reasoning was to get them to see that there was nothing wrong finding something that were passionate about and perusing it, even if it didn't fit into part of there parents plans. I might be way of base but that's what i got out of it.
Interesting post Earnie. I think it's sometimes easier to say you will seize the day but then chicken out without ever putting much thought into what is really inhibiting your actions.
Also, the philosophy to basically live in the moment is moving and inspirational for a movie, but as Jerry replied reality reminds us of the need to do it somewhat responsibly with a longer term vision than just for the day as there can be serious consequences. It's somewhat of a contradiction, but I think that balance is important.
Earnie, I do believe that the carpe diem cannot be taught to high school students. Students at that age need “tradition, honor, discipline, excellence.” I don't agree telling your children when, where, how and what to do. They do need to take some control of their lives to grow but with the guidance of great adult influence. Yet, I am not sure if this movie would have worked as well with college students.
This movie is awesome and it is one of the most inspirational movies I have ever watched. Though I like Mr.Keating's style of teaching, he may be more appropriate to teach grad school's students. Neil appeared confident and in control with this schoolmates,but his lack of confidence with his father ultimately killed him.
I agree this was an awesome movie. Mr. Keating would be a great grad school professor, but I think he did an amazing job with these boys too. They were at a point in their life where they could still change their story/path to whatever they chose. Mr. Keating helped them to break out of the drill line and figure out what they had a passion for rather than what their parents wanted.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have had multiple “Mr. Keatings” in my life. One of them was brought into my life about five years ago, well after I was done with school (or so I thought). He has been a great mentor who helped my find my identity in Christ, and took me through a process of discovering my purpose in life by examining my passions, strengths, talents and experiences.
The goal, I believe, is that we can be “Keatings” to others, whether by direct mentoring, or even living an example of a changed life. After I’m done with my degree, I plan on taking a group of men through the same process I was led through. Hopefully, one or two of them will want to do the same thing.
It would be wonderful to have inspiring people like Keating in the workplace, perhaps career paths would be developed for individuals. This could be an opportunity to develop individuals to fit careers instead of the reverse.
I agree, Mr Keating was great as a instructor for college level students who understand life a little better. His students act out in ways that are not productive at times because of there lack of real life understanding. Neil represents this the best. He feels that suicide is the only way to final get through to an impossible father. Neils father drives him to this decision.
I agree with you that the fault doesn't really lie on Mr. Keating but the burden on his heart must be unbearable. I wonder how that effected his teach and his life thereafter this incident. He would probably be better fitted teach college students or at a more liberal school.
Giving time to watch such a tremendous movie that has given me great inspiration. Anyone out there that has a Mr. Keating is truly blessed. It is not many who take the time and the effort that Mr. Keating did to give those boys the opportunity to find their inner selves. To bring on the courage to rebuke anything that stop them from being their own person. It was really sad that Neil took his own life because he rather be dead than continue to live in his father's planned life for him. Also sad that people take such advantage of the youth. I feel that every young person should have a O Captain My Captain. I know I surly did ( My Mom). Thank you mom for letting me be me!!!
I wish I had a Mr. Keating to ispire me when I was in school! What a great teacher. Anyone who shows students that they can choose their own life and be their own person when they are being suffocated and directed by their own family is an amazing person. I think Mr. Keating did a great thing for all the students at Welton.
Rose – I completely agree that everyone should have a captain and sadly I think that true captains are rare in today's world. I think people are too self-absorbed to truly care about others (not to mention a group of students) like Mr. Keating did. I think a lot of teachers/instructors/professors are just collecting paychecks and are not really that interested in the lives of the students they teach. It's a great reminder to all of us to thank the captains we had the blessing of having in our lives. And, a good reminder to allow loved ones in our lives to just be them.
I do not in any way shape or form believe that Mr. Keating is resposible for Neils death. Ultimatley the only person responsible is Neal himself. Mr. Keating simply opened his classes eyes to new ways of looking at things. An example of this is when he disagrees with the author in the text book and has them tear the whole section out. Keating is trying to show mans constant need to explain, grade, or quantify things instead of just enjoying them for what they are. Another example of this was the exercise in the courtyard. Keating simply proposed that other worldviews exist and did not indoctrinate his students with his own specific worldview. In doing so he encouraged his students to find themselves, not decieve themselves.
I agree Rich. Mr. Keating only showed the guys that is was possible to live their own lives he didn't make them do anything they didn't want to. Neil, unfortunately made his own decision I don't feel that Mr. Keating influenced this at all.
I agree with you Rich. Neil made his own decision, it was not Mr. Keatings fault what happened to him. He made his own decision to lie to Mr. Keating about getting his fathers approval. Mr. Keating encouraged him to talk to his father, and when Neil tried he didn't get anywhere. Too often you see children with parents that treat them this way, and they can become lost in the world and don't know how to think for themselves. Ultimately Neil was the only person responsible for what happened.
In todays world there is always someone to blame, clearly someone was responsible. I agree that Neil made his choice and HE is responsible for his own actions. Unfortunately in this circumstance it is the surrounding friends and family that blame themselves and others.
I totally agree that Mr. Keating did not cause Neil's tragic death. I believe that for the first time and unfortunately a very short time, Neil lived. For the first time, he knew what he wanted to do and he did it. I'm sure there was nothing like the moment he took a bow on stage at the end of his performance feeling like he was on top of the world. The actor did such a great job portraying his pride as he took his bow and then the trepidation he felt wondering what his father thought of his performance. There was a glimmer of hope in Neil's eye as he seemed to be sure that his father must have seen how well he performed and that maybe he would have changed his mind. But, tragically, that was not the case.