The Dead Poets Society

What is the movie saying about poetry? Support your comments.

    In the movie Mr. Keating explains to the boys that you express your feelings through poetry, like anger romance and passion. He also said that your entitled to the right to read and write poetry as a member of the human race. Mr. Keating had many untraditional methods of teaching, one of which was ripping out the entire intro "Understanding Poetry" because it was far off his concept of free thinking/writing and instead preached how poetry needed a balance of things like perfection. He also takes the boys to the court yard marching about. Another is telling them to recite a verse of poetry than kick a soccer ball. He uses these methods to teach individuality and to walk through life in the steps they chose. One truly important idea about poetry from the movie is that not only should you see poetry through the authors eye you must consider it through your eyes. The big picture that the film wanted to give to you about poetry is that poetry is more than writing catchy verses that rhyme, poetry is for self expression and individuality.

What do you think of poetry? How is it similar and different than the movie's view of poetry?

   Poetry is a spontaneous flow of the poets emotions. It is the unknown. It is something that is unwilling to be described. Poetry is a complete abstract. When writing poetry there are no limits and it will be in whatever shape the poet chooses. This display of liberation connects to the somewhat general view of Mr. Keating. He said that poetry is an expression of beauty, love and romance. Also just like the movie I believe that poetry is completely unique to the poet. Poetry can also be thought of as drifting out of realty and into the dreamy emotional thoughts of the poet. Though mystical, that place can also be quite weird. Most of society's view on poets and or poetry may be mistaken or negative because it can be thought of this loony art that many "normal" working folks do not have time for. To sum that up I think poetry may be better in smaller doses because as said by Matthew, "as there is a fine line between ones own orthodox opinions and being insane".