Dead Poets Society
This post introduces the concept of 'layering.' In Dead Poets
Society there are three main characters who represent the mind, the
body, and the spirit, but there are also three minor characters who
represent the mind, the body, and the spirit, as well.
Todd is concerned with rules. He doesn't want to be a part of the Dead Poets Society because he doesn't want to read. When Neil Perry tries to encourage him, he still refuses. He's concerned with "how it works." When Neil wants to audition for the play, Todd is once again concerned with the rules, especially what Neil's father will think. Todd's character is defined by the rules he's set for himself. His brother was a legend and he believes he must live up to that legendary performance. If he doesn't, then he is worthless. His desire for excellence is based in (faulty) logic (mind character) - not a sense of honor (spirit character) or pragmatism (body character).
Steven Meeks is the class genius. He is the first to give the correct answer in class. In the introductory portion of the movie, he initiates the discussion about creating a study group. He and his roommate, Gerard Pitts, build a radio during a study period. He is the quintessential nerd - clearly the second-layer mind character.
Dalton identifies Prof. Keating (Robin Williams) as a hell-raiser based on Keating's yearbook entry. At the first Dead Poets Society meeting, Dalton reads a poem he's copied onto a centerfold picture. When Keating asks why he's standing on the desk, he is looking for a philosophical or an intellectual answer, but Dalton answers 'to feel taller.' Dalton is the first to bring girls to the Dead Poets Society and he tries to argue that girls should be admitted to their school, which gets him into serious trouble. Keating has to rein him in. Later, he paints a virility symbol on his chest.
Cameron is the class pragmatist. He draws a graph, mimicking Prof. Keating, as Neil reads the introduction to the book on poetry. When Keating calls the introduction 'excrement,' Cameron hesitates and ten scribbles out the graph. Keating then tells the class to rip the introduction out of the book. Cameron uses a ruler, after another hesitation, evidently to make a clean rip. In general, he appears to be trying to impress the teacher. Later, Cameron is the one who tells the school administration about the Dead Poets Society and tells the others they should do the same to protect themselves.
Neil Perry is passionate about everything. He's the first to greet Todd and invite him to their study groups. He's the first to ask about the Dead Poets Society and the first to suggest having a meeting. At the meeting, Neil reads a poem about going beyond yourself. When he finds out about the play, he's ecstatic and does whatever is necessary, including forging his father's signature, to be a part of it. Neil encourages Todd when Todd hesitates about joining the Dead Poets Society and when Todd gets a desk set from his parents for his birthday. Neil tells Keating "acting is everything," using the hyperbole typical of the spirit character.
Knox Overstreet's character is defined by his relationship with Chris Noel. He meets her on an outing to a dinner with friends of his parents. He immediately falls desperately in love. She invites him to a party, and he believes it is to be with her. He ends up kissing her and getting beaten by Chris's boyfriend. He writes a poem for Chris and goes to her school with flowers to read it. He is a hopeless romantic who doesn't see any of the obstacles, just the goal, which he receives when Chris goes with him to see Neil's play.
The Mind Characters: Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and Steven Meeks (Allelon Ruggiero)
Todd is concerned with rules. He doesn't want to be a part of the Dead Poets Society because he doesn't want to read. When Neil Perry tries to encourage him, he still refuses. He's concerned with "how it works." When Neil wants to audition for the play, Todd is once again concerned with the rules, especially what Neil's father will think. Todd's character is defined by the rules he's set for himself. His brother was a legend and he believes he must live up to that legendary performance. If he doesn't, then he is worthless. His desire for excellence is based in (faulty) logic (mind character) - not a sense of honor (spirit character) or pragmatism (body character).
Steven Meeks is the class genius. He is the first to give the correct answer in class. In the introductory portion of the movie, he initiates the discussion about creating a study group. He and his roommate, Gerard Pitts, build a radio during a study period. He is the quintessential nerd - clearly the second-layer mind character.
The Body Characters: Charlie Dalton (Gale Hansen) and Richard Cameron (Dylan Kussman)
Dalton identifies Prof. Keating (Robin Williams) as a hell-raiser based on Keating's yearbook entry. At the first Dead Poets Society meeting, Dalton reads a poem he's copied onto a centerfold picture. When Keating asks why he's standing on the desk, he is looking for a philosophical or an intellectual answer, but Dalton answers 'to feel taller.' Dalton is the first to bring girls to the Dead Poets Society and he tries to argue that girls should be admitted to their school, which gets him into serious trouble. Keating has to rein him in. Later, he paints a virility symbol on his chest.
Cameron is the class pragmatist. He draws a graph, mimicking Prof. Keating, as Neil reads the introduction to the book on poetry. When Keating calls the introduction 'excrement,' Cameron hesitates and ten scribbles out the graph. Keating then tells the class to rip the introduction out of the book. Cameron uses a ruler, after another hesitation, evidently to make a clean rip. In general, he appears to be trying to impress the teacher. Later, Cameron is the one who tells the school administration about the Dead Poets Society and tells the others they should do the same to protect themselves.
The Spirit Characters: Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard) and Knox Overstreet (Josh Charles)
Neil Perry is passionate about everything. He's the first to greet Todd and invite him to their study groups. He's the first to ask about the Dead Poets Society and the first to suggest having a meeting. At the meeting, Neil reads a poem about going beyond yourself. When he finds out about the play, he's ecstatic and does whatever is necessary, including forging his father's signature, to be a part of it. Neil encourages Todd when Todd hesitates about joining the Dead Poets Society and when Todd gets a desk set from his parents for his birthday. Neil tells Keating "acting is everything," using the hyperbole typical of the spirit character.
Knox Overstreet's character is defined by his relationship with Chris Noel. He meets her on an outing to a dinner with friends of his parents. He immediately falls desperately in love. She invites him to a party, and he believes it is to be with her. He ends up kissing her and getting beaten by Chris's boyfriend. He writes a poem for Chris and goes to her school with flowers to read it. He is a hopeless romantic who doesn't see any of the obstacles, just the goal, which he receives when Chris goes with him to see Neil's play.
Comments
Post a Comment