"The Dead Poets' Society"

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the film is based upon conformity of behavior according to accepted traditions and accepted societal standards of the 1950s in America. The paper portrays how acting was not an accepted vocation, as accepted vocations were those which carried prestige and high salaries. The paper shows how the ideas of gender roles in adolescents, especially boys and narrow tradition-based attitudes about what is valuable in society are represented graphically in this film.

From the Paper:

"The story centers on a group of boys in a very traditional private school for boys, and all the problems of both the boys and their teachers. It focuses on a particularly avant-guard literature teacher played by Robin Williams, Mr. Keating. In the opening scene we meet the boys coming for school, and a collage of scenes gives us the idea that this school has very solid traditions. The theme of group behavior and tradition is a constant background in the film with techniques like bagpipes, walls full of portraits, monuments and costumes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bernard, L. L. (1926). An Introduction to Social Psychology. New York: Henry Holt. Retrieved December 18, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=174772
• Hedley, M. (2002). The Geometry of Gendered Conflict in Popular Film: 1986-2000. 201+. Retrieved December 18, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000612442
• Wallace, W. L. (Ed.). (1969). Sociological Theory: An Introduction. New York: Aldine Publishing Company. Retrieved December 18, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=91955273

More papers on "The Dead Poets' Society":

• Term Paper # 107158 : "The Dead Poets Society"
• Film Review # 36638 : "Dead Poets' Society"
• Comparison Essay # 7487 : "Republic," "Dead Poets Society" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: