15 Dead Poets Society Lines That Are Unforgettable

Dead Poets Society addresses the struggles of students at an all-boys school, dealing with societal pressure by following their passion, and there are several Dead Poets Society quotes elevating the film. 1989 Dead Poets Society stars Robin Williams as an English teacher who spreads a love of poetry among his class, many of whom are drowning in parental expectations. The film is a strong drama, masterfully written and directed, and earned Williams an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, a change of pace for the man who has served primarily as a comedic actor throughout his career.

The film also received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and Best Director (for Peter Weir), but it was Tom Schulman's script that stood out, with the screenwriter taking home an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Several inspiring lines can be found in the film this is sure to ignite the writer in anyone. From witty jokes to motivational advice, Williams' John Keating has a long list of quotes that apply to all of life's dilemmas and proved that Williams had a talent for more than comedy on the big screen.

15

“O captain! My captain!”

Dead Poets Society for Mr. Keating

Although the entire film is a beautiful and profound story, the ending of Dead Poets Society remains one of the best final scenes in cinema history. It appears the story is heading towards a tragic end, as Keating's unorthodox teaching is blamed for a student taking his own life, resulting in his dismissal. The remaining students are dismayed to see that they are forced to adhere to a stricter poetry class under Mr. Nolan's supervision.

HoweverWhen Keating is about to leave, the students say a moving goodbye to him, climbing onto their desks and greeting him with this line from Walt Whitman's poem. It's a parting gesture that shows Keating how much the students learned from him, the way they protested his dismissal and the promise that they will continue to express themselves as he taught them.

14

“Mr. Anderson! Don't think I don't know this task scares you.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke)

Ethan Hawke's breakout role was as Todd Anderson in Dead Poets Society. Todd is one of the softest students at school who is initially reserved, but like the others, Mr. Keating's teachings awaken something in him. What's most special is how Keating recognizes something in Todd that the young man apparently can't conceive of for himself.

After assigning the class homework to create an original poem, Keating also informs them that they will be required to read the poem aloud in class. He then recognizes how much this idea scares Todd. Keating isn't the type to maliciously embarrass a student, and he's also not the type to play favorites. By calling Todd, he is simply letting the young man know that he won't let fear be an excuse in his classroom.

13

“Don't forget that.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke)

When it's time for the class to read their poems aloud, Todd is filled with fear and tells Mr. Keating that he hasn't written any. Keating isn't going to let one of his students off the hook so easily, but instead of giving him a failing grade, he has Todd stand at the front of the class and recite an original poem on the spot. Again, this is not an attempt to humiliate the boy, but to force him out of his comfort zone.

Keating makes Todd close his eyes and start speaking from the heart. Although nervous, Keating helps Todd block out everything else. When he recites a genuinely impressive poem, the class applauds him and Todd is filled with pride. Keating takes him aside and reminds him to keep this memory strong within him.ensuring that the fear of being vulnerable in front of others never gets in the way of the satisfaction of expressing yourself.

12

“May the mighty game continue and may you contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to his class

By telling your students about the real reason why poetry and literature should be appreciated, Keating also uses this as a time to inspire his students to make a real impact on the world. He insists that these art forms help people feel alive and live life with more passion and feeling, thus being able to contribute more. It celebrates the idea that there is still something everyone can contribute to the world.

This simple question, asked to young people “What will your verse be?” shows how inspiring Keating can be to these young people. It forces them to think about how they want to contribute to the “game” of humanity. In this context, it becomes difficult for them to ignore their true passions and forces them to confront their true feelings about what they are here to do.

11

“No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to his class

There are many films that talk about the importance of art, but few make the argument as effective as Dead Poets Society. In the case of this story, the idea of ​​embracing art and poetry is rebellious, with the stuffy nature of boarding school being more focused on “hands-on” learning rather than the seemingly frivolity of stories and poems. However, in direct contradiction to what some of the other teachers share, Keating insists that these things matter in the world.

Telling young people that words and ideas can change the world is Keating's way of giving them permission to embrace these aspects of their minds and share them with the world. It is also not a mistake that he starts by saying “It’s not what someone tells you,” as Keating is aware of how his society will try to crush this kind of thinking and insists that these people should be ignored.

John Keating (Robin Williams) to his class

One of the main reasons why so many Dead Poets Society quotes have become part of pop culture (and parodied many times in other films and shows, including films like Family Guy and South Park) is that Robin Williams' character, John Keating, is the model of a dedicated educator. This is evident at a time when Keating insists that his students go out and make the most of their lives, and not just academically or professionally.

That Dead Poets Society the quote comes up when John Keating shows the boys some photos of past students, which are displayed along the school hallway bulletin board. He tells them that they are no different. They have the same testosterone levels and the same haircuts. Now, they are all dead. He wants to instill in these curious minds that as long as they are young and capable, they should live their lives to the fullest. “Carpe diem, seize the day“, is what Keating says, which means he wants the boys to enjoy the moment while it lasts.

9

“Poetry, beauty, romance, love… That's what we stay alive for.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to his class

John Keating is an English teacher at Welton Academy in Dead Poets Society, an elite boarding school where the focus of education for the majority of its students is to ensure they are professionally successful in later life. This is why Keating becomes so captivating to his students, as his focus is not on their success, but on their achievement, and the Dead Poets Society The quote that illustrates this perfectly is when he defends the values ​​of the arts (and some of the most moving aspects of the broader human experience).

“Medicine, business, law, engineering… these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love… that's why we stay alive.”

While John recognizes that people need science and technology to survive, he makes sure his students understand that they also need an outlet for self-expression. He believes in balance – of needs and desires, of heart and mind. He reminds them that people write poetry because they are members of the human racenot just because it is”cute.“

Humans are filled and driven by passion, and this will only happen by awakening that part. This is the line John delivers that leaves many of the boys in his class ready to express themselves individually and makes this a great film for aspiring writers to watch.

8

“I stand on my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to his class

A word that absolutely cannot be used to describe John Keating's teaching methods in Dead Poets Society it is orthodox, as this quote shows. In one class, John's students arrive to find him standing at his desk instead of sitting behind it. In an attempt to better explain his lessons, John explains that the reason he's on top of his desk so he can see things differently.

Many times, people just look at the image they have in front of them and forget that other sides also need to be taken into consideration. He asks his students to stand on his desk so they can experience what it's like to see things from a new perspective. These students are typically confined to their routines and traditions, and taking the path less traveled can sometimes be good for their souls.

7

“You must strive to find your own voice”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to his class

“…because the longer you wait to get started, the less likely you are to find it.”

There are many inspirational quotes by John Keating from Dead Poets Society which come from the many moments in which he encourages his students to never underestimate the values ​​of introspection and intellectual autonomy. He continues to motivate his students to think freely and for themselves, to discover what works best for them, and to discover how to be satisfied with their lives.

It's a theme of several of John's lessons in the film, but this Dead Poets Society The quote in particular captures the idea more succinctly than almost any other. John says that one should never give up living an unsatisfied life, as this leads to a life of despair. You need to go out to find new terrain and explore new ideasplaces and beliefs. Although John makes his students believe in themselves, he also knows that there is always something out there that will try to ruin their individuality.

6

“Language was developed for one purpose, and that is… to attract women.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to his class

While Dead Poets Society is one of the few Robin Williams films celebrated for reasons other than the late actor's unparalleled comedic skills, but it still has several moments where the star manages to get a laugh from viewers. Not everything John Keating said was profound, and he sometimes spoke humorously in his classes. One of the key quotes that demonstrates this is when John explains to his students that, in his opinion, the complexities of human language have been refined for one reason only – better romance.

Neil Perry is right Dead Poets Society – language was developed to communicate. However, hoping to achieve higher aspirations and conquer new territories, language has become the main instrument for human beings to express desires. The use of language has evolved over the centuries. John asks the class what other words could replace 'tired' and “very sad,“to which Knox Overstreet responds”taciturn.” In that regard, “to court women” simply means finding affection using words.

5

“Sucking the marrow of life does not mean choking on the bones.”

John Keating To Charlie Dalton\

Getting expelled for a prank isn't bold, and John warned Charlie Dalton not to get in trouble again after making a joke in front of the entire student body. He thought Mr. Keating would be happy about this, but he clearly didn't understand. That Dead Poets Society quote offers a series of meanings that we cannot easily understand unless a specific situation demands immediate action.

Charlie was an idiot, thinking only of himself when he put the secret society under public scrutiny. John realizes he needs to teach responsibility in addition to the freedom to express oneself.

4

“But only in their dreams can men be truly free.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to another teacher

“It's always been that way and it always will be.”

Most of the best Dead Poets Society The quotes come from John's lessons and the advice he gives his students. However, this is not exclusively the case, as there are several memorable lines that result from John's various discussions (and debates) with other faculty members at Welton Academy. A prime example is when John Keating explained to one of his colleagues what he thought the true purpose of education was when he was asked about his different way of teaching.

The school has been upholding the value of tradition and discipline for years. For John, it's only fair to shake things up a bit. He believes in free thinkers, just as he told Mr. Nolan when he confronted him about his “unorthodox“methods of teaching students. Only by being able to live his dreams can a man be truly free. Unfortunately for John, although his statements ring true, within the confines of this particular school, there is little room for dreams to come true.

3

“I brought them here to illustrate the point of compliance.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) to his students

“…the difficulty in maintaining one's own beliefs in front of others.”

John Keating represents the antithesis of everything his class expects from authority figures, and this is one of the main reasons why he becomes such an inspiring presence in their lives. However, that's not the only reason he stands out to them, as his methods are as refreshing a change of pace for them as his values. In Dead Poets Society, students at Welton Academy are fascinated by Mr. Keating's lively and energetic way of teaching.

He would make them walk, run and climb to spread his message. He sends three boys from the class out for a walk and, inch by inch, they begin to march in unison. This is the point he wants to prove: that humans are forced to conform to society's standards and lose their own beliefs just to be accepted. He reminds them that no matter how strange or different someone's dream is, be proud of it. This is, once again, Mr. Keating's desire to see the boys achieve their real dreams.

2

“I always thought the idea of ​​education was to learn to think for yourself.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) To Mr.

Although there is no shortage of deep philosophical threads in the thematic film, the central message of Dead Poets Society is encapsulated in this single quote better than any other. It encapsulates everything that drives John Keating as an educator and, by extension, the thematic lifeblood of the film itself. The quote comes up when John has a confrontation with Mr. Nolan, one of the other faculty members at Welton Academy.

This is what John Keating wants to tell his students; use education as a means of knowing more about yourself and others. Use it to take a stand and fight for what you believe in, not just remain neutral or compromise. As Mr. Nolan reprimands him, ending this form of teaching, Mr. Keating faces a dilemma. Your students are greatly affected by your words and begin to think outside the box. However, the school represses them to keep quiet and comply..

1

“I love teaching. I don't want to be anywhere else.”

John Keating (Robin Williams) for Neil Perry

John Keating represents the idea of ​​a perfect educator, one who is not only motivated by ensuring that he leaves his students with the best possible opportunities for a fulfilling life, but also who understands and values ​​his importance in their lives. However, for John, this also comes with a great degree of self-sacrifice.

When Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard) asks John Keating why he chose to stay at school instead of going to London to be with his wife, John says he loves teaching so much that he'd rather be alone than not live his dreams. His passion for education greatly shaped the lives of many people, especially his students.

A teacher like Mr. Keating is a good mentor and confidant, and that's what makes him and Dead Poets Society so captivating to the audience. He always inspires everyone he meets and radiates vibrant energy it will make them think about how they live their lives. Although his time at this school ended in tragedy, John certainly helped more than one student change their way of thinking to become a better person in the end.