Passing thoughts on the Dead Poet’s Society
I just finished watching the movie called “Dead Poet’s Society”. I’ve actually seen this movie before, but I believe I was just in elementary then. Ah, the beauty of HBO, where nice movies are shared to everybody – or was it Cinemax?
Anyway, if you have not seen the movie yet, I recommend that you go and stream it somewhere or maybe find a good source or something. 
It is quite good, really, very good. Besides, it would not be voted as one of the Top 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time if it did not strike a few heartstrings here and there. It definitely caused my tears to fall because of sadness, made my stomach hurt out of laughter, and definitely inspired me to do more.
I would like to share with you a conversation I extracted from the movie, which means something to me, and I shall explain later why (I actually just Googled this. ) :
McAllister: You take a big risk by encouraging them to be artists, John. When they realize they’re not Rembrandts, Shakespeares or Mozarts, they’ll hate you for it.
Keating: We’re not talking artists, George, we’re talking freethinkers.
McAllister: Freethinkers at seventeen?
Keating: Funny — I never pegged you as a cynic.
McAllister: Not a cynic, a realist. Show me the heart unfettered by foolish dreams, and I’ll show you a happy man.
Keating: But only in their dreams can man be truly free. ‘Twas always thus, and always thus will be.
McAllister: Tennyson?
Keating: No, Keating.
Extracted from the Dead Poet’s Society.
…
If you are wondering why that dialogue caught my attention, it may be because I could say the views reflected above more or less mirror my sentiments against somebody else’s. I have the same views – more or less – as Mr. Keating’s, while the other person has Mr. McAllister’s point of view.
I doubt if I have to explain further, but just in case it comes off as confusing, I believe in freethinking, freedom of expression, and enjoying of dreams. On the other hand, that significant person believes in practicality – also known as a realist. 
I cannot blame her ideas as these are also her own, but I have to say that my reaction was still the same as the feelings I had in December when I felt sad for the person, at the same time frustrated. You know how it goes. When you care for somebody, sometimes you wish you could force them to swallow cod liver oil.. or maybe just your ideas, or perhaps choke them with a spoon. Then again, I am just being overly dramatic.
Still, what’s life without a little drama eh? Nevertheless, I go through MY life viewing it the way I want to view it. Practicality is practicality, but I will always sieze the day. As what Mr. Keating said, “… only in their dreams can man be truly free. ‘Twas always thus, and always thus will be.”
Now I shall bid you adieu as I try to find snippets and poems here and there, because as of late, I have noticed that I now happen to understand poems. Before, I had a problem understanding poetry, but now, I have to say that poetry intrigues me. Who knows, Maybe I shall make poems one day.
Oh, and I found this nice site (AntiRomantic), which delves deeper into the Dead Poet’s Society philosophy and all. Interesting, very interesting.
Au revoir! Oh, and good morning!
Haven’t seen this film but i know about it – Thanks to HBO and Cinemax. I love the title, too. I will watch it when I get the chance.
But i’ve never been a fan of poems, but poems in a movie, yeah! Movies always make some uninteresting things interesting..
there’s a poem quoted in this film, “Ulysses” by Tennyson, with the last few lines especially moving.
@kat: hehehehe yeah,, go.. watch… now
@alvin: oh yeah!! I liked that..