Themes
Nonconformity versus tradition
One of the most important themes of the movie Dead Poets Society (1989) directed by Peter Weir is nonconformity versus tradition. Nonconformity is a refusal to follow an established set of rules principles, or behavioral patterns, expected of someone in accordance with their role in society.
Welton Academy prides itself in following tradition, as well as a rather rigid set of rules. Out of all the teachers, it is only Keating who challenges those rules, not for the sake of anarchy, but in order to teach the students to think for themselves.
From the beginning, Keating challenges the established way of doing lessons by changing the environment where the lessons usually take place. He takes the students out of the classroom and into the hallway. During the following lessons, he takes them on the field to hit a ball or play soccer. Even when they are in the classroom, he tells them to do unusual things, such as to stand on the desk, for the purpose of teaching them to assume a different perspective:
Just when you think you know something, you have to look at it in another way. Even though it may seem silly or wrong, you must try. Now, when you read, don’t just consider what the author thinks. Consider what you think. (...) Thoreau said ‘Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.’ Don’t be resigned to that, break out. (00:43:32-00:44:0o)
Keating’s goal is not to make the students challenge authority for the sake of it, , but rather to make them think critically and decide for themselves which course of action to take, even if it means challenging already established concepts. This course of action threatens the backbone of the school, which is rooted in following rules and principles without question. However, for the students, it is refreshing to realize that things can be different, and they are encouraged to use their minds, instead of cramming knowledge into their brains without filtering it.
Keating makes the boys walk around the yard to illustrate the social pressure to conform (o1:04:44). Without even realizing it, the boys match their walking pace, and those watching on the sidelines start clapping in unison. Keating again demonstrates to them that things can be different, by making each come up with a walking style of their own. Charlie further illustrates the point of nonconformity by “exercising the right not to walk” (01:05:41-01:05:43).
It is also worth noting that Keating’s appeal to nonconformity does not involve renouncing self-preservation. He cautions Charlie about the dangers of speaking out against authority when he himself is at the mercy of said authority. In Keating’s words, “sucking the marrow out of life doesn’t mean choking on the bone.” (01:20:28-01:20:32). He calls Charlie out for his tendency to act without thinking, warning him th...
