The following videos are scenes from a 20-year-old movie, Dead Poets Society. Yet the message in them remains relevant today.
Some background info: The boy in the video is Todd Anderson, he’s a student at a posh private school and he’s very shy. His class have a new English teacher, Mr Keating, who works to open their mind and hearts. So in the following scene, Mr Keating practically forces Todd to realise the ability inside of him.
And at the end of the film, Mr Keating has been fired by the school because his unorthodox methods of teaching don’t endear him to the staff and parents. In a final show of solidarity and defiance, the boys demonstrate how Mr Keating taught them to take a different perspective:
The phrase “Oh Captain, my Captain” is from a poem that Mr Keating taught them.
In the first video, Mr Keating is basically breaking Todd’s limiting beliefs and forcing him out of his comfort zone, so that he can achieve more. The second video is basically the culmination of the loyalty that Mr Keating has inspired in his boys, showing the power of his influence on them. I think all students, parents and coaches can learn something and be inspired by the videos.
20/10/2009 at 10:41 pm Permalink
Nice blog… I watched this long ago and love this movie too. I am a true advocate of Mr Keating’s teaching… Thanks for the reminder again!