On your blog, reflect on the meaning of this movie in a paragraph. What is the central message? How does it compare to the poem “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow”?

The movie Dead Poets Society is based around the saying “Carpe Diem” which means “Seize the day”. Mr Keating is trying to teach his students that you need to be a free thinker and pursue what you want throughout your life. Mr Keating disagrees with the fact that the student’s parents are planning their lives for them, and he wants his students to be able to make decisions for themselves and share their opinions. This movie compares to the poem Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow because the general theme of “life is short so don’t waste it” is present in both pieces of literature. The poem states that tomorrow “creeps in this petty place from day to day, to the last syllable of recorded time”. This idea solidifies the fact that you need to seize the day because if you don’t your whole life will come and go in the blink of an eye. The mood in Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow is very depressing and gloomy, unlike Dead Poets Society. The movie has a lighthearted and humourous mood until the end where it takes a dark turn as Neil commits suicide.

A final thought on your feelings about the movie. Did you like it? Why or why not?

I really enjoyed this movie because it was funny, entertaining, and had a deep and prosperous message that I believe in. I agree that we need to seize the day and express our opinions. We can’t let others choose the paths of our lives. The characters in the movie were developed in a fantastic way that led the watchers to feel hope the characters feel, and really connect with their emotions.

Find an image from the movie that best reflects your thoughts

This image from the final scene in the movie best reflects my thoughts because it displays all of the boys courage and shows them standing up for what they believe in.

By Trevor Thirsk