Dead Poets Society/ Why Poetry Is Important

Poetry they say, in few words, can deliver messages, points of view, and appeal to our emotions. They make us think in a different way than just simply speaking or talking.

Poetry can provide great wisdom, a moment of clarity, and extract deep thoughts. In the film Dead Poets Society, the perspective, meaning, and the messages are what makes poetry important.

Poetry can be interpreted in many different ways. It can allow you to visualize it from many different perspectives. Mr. John Keating constantly reminded his students to view life and poetry freely and perceptively. In one scene of the film Mr. Keating stood on top of his desk. He asked his student to tell him why he stands on his desk. One of his pupils responded because he wanted to feel taller. Mr. Keating replied with a smile on his face, “Thank you for playing Mr. Dalton. I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way.” It is important to have perspective in life. Without it we would all see things in one way. Poetry reminds us to try and interpret things in many different ways.

The theme of this movie would have to be “Carpe Diem” (Seize the day). Mr. Keating expressed this phrase and teaching through poetry and helped the boys to make their own decisions instead of letting their parents, or anybody else for that matter, make their decisions for them. Carpe Diem reminds us to seize each day and cherish them dearly. Every day is a different opportunity. Every day an opportunity awaits us and we must decide whether to take the chance or play it safe. Poetry encourages you to take risks, for nothing is gained without them. Mr. Keating showed the boys the true meaning of poetry. He explained that you could not understand it using graphs and other methods told in their text books (this is why he made his students rip out the introduction in the poetry textbook). He also