Risks of Adopting an Aesthetic Approach to Teaching

Dead Poets Society: Critical Analysis

This critical film analysis examines Dead Poets Society (1989), an American film that offers insights into an unconventional educational experience. It especially looks at the relationship dynamics between teachers and students, as well as some of the broader issues that can affect schools.

Title and Year of Release

Dead Poets Society, 1989

Setting

The film is set in the late 1950s at the fictional Welton Academy in Vermont, an elite conservative boarding school.

Brief General Premise

Dead Poets Society explores the impact of an unconventional English teacher, John Keating, on his students through his teaching of poetry. Keating encourages his students to "seize the day" (Carpe Diem) and challenges them to break away from the conformist and repressive educational environment to pursue their passions and make their lives extraordinary.

Analysis

Keating's teaching philosophy embodies the "Aesthetic Education" approach as outlined by McConnell et al. (2020). This approach emphasizes the importance of experiencing beauty and understanding through the arts, which Keating integrates by teaching poetry—not just as a subject but as a means of appreciating life and the world, and encouraging personal expression and critical thinking among his students. It has mixed results. One student comes out of his shell and becomes empowered. Another student takes his own life after feeling constrained by an authoritarian father who refuses to allow his son to explore his artistic passion. The film suggests that the aesthetic approach may contain risks that a teacher needs to be able to acknowledge and mitigate.

Central Education-Related Themes

Depiction of Teachers

Keating is portrayed as a mentor who diverges from the traditional authoritarian figure, embodying a teacher stereotype that is both inspirational and controversial within the context of the conservative institution. One example of this in the film is when he has the students rip pages out of their textbooks: in effect he is challenging the established modes of thinking. This act is rebellious and deeply symbolic, as it encourages students to engage with poetry on an emotional and personal level, rather than through the detached, analytical approach prescribed by the textbook. This method emphasizes the importance of emotions and personal connection in learning, which resonates with the aesthetic education approach. Keating's focus on understanding poetry through feeling and individual interpretation fosters an environment where students feel safe to express their emotions and thoughts.

Curriculum and Pedagogy

The film critiques traditional education methods and curricula that prioritize conformity and rote learning over critical thinking and personal growth. One example of this is when Keating has a student engage in deep introspection in front of the class in what is almost like a psychiatric session. The point is for the students to learn to think for themselves instead of letting books do the thinking for them.

Identity and Individuality

Through the lens of students like Todd Anderson and Neil Perry, the film addresses the struggle of young individuals in asserting their identity and autonomy in a repressive educational and societal setup. For example, the students find a path to self-expression through poetry and the performance arts.

Freedom vs. Conformity

A central theme is the tension between the desire for self-expression and the pressure to conform to institutional and parental expectations.

Overall, the film champions the Aesthetic Education and constructivist approach, advocating for a pedagogy that values creativity, critical thinking, and personal expression over conformity and traditionalism. A notable scene that reflects both the aesthetic education and constructivist approach is when Mr. Keating takes his students out of the classroom to the courtyard to teach them about the concept of "Carpe Diem" (seize the day). He instructs each student to walk in their own style around the courtyard, eventually leading them to march in unison without realizing it. This experiential learning exercise helps students understand the importance of individuality and the dangers of conformity through their direct experience and reflection. By engaging with poetry and philosophy in interactive, unconventional ways, Keating encourages his students to construct their understanding and insights, embodying the principles of constructivist learning by connecting new knowledge to personal experiences and encouraging critical thinking.

The film thus critiques the conventional education system's failure to nurture individuality and passion among students. However, it does show that this approach can come with a price: Keating loses his job due to being at odds with the conventional values of the administration—and a student loses his life. The takeaway is that one must be prepared for challenges with this approach.

Nonetheless, director Peter Weir and writer Tom Schulman focus on the transformative power of education when it transcends traditional boundaries. Their portrayal of Keating is a call for educational reform, suggesting that teaching methods which encourage personal growth can have a lasting impact on students' lives (Kenny et al., 2023). The film successfully presents a well-informed perspective on the potential of teachers to influence students positively, challenging problematic educational tropes, such as the "banking" model of education. At the same time, it also invites criticism for romanticizing the teacher-hero narrative, which may overlook the complexities of educational reform and the systemic issues within American schools. For example, Keating is fired but hailed by the students at the end of the film and saluted as they call him “my captain” in a tip of the hat to American poetry and history.

Dead Poets Society serves as a critique and a hopeful vision for educational reform. It suggests that curricula that embrace the Aesthetic Education approach can profoundly affect students, encouraging them to think independently and pursue their passions. The tone is both inspirational and tragic, reflecting the highs of personal awakening and the lows of societal constraints. The takeaway message is a powerful endorsement of educational reform, highlighting the need for teaching methods that nurture creativity, critical thinking, and individuality. Viewers might empathize with the students' struggles for self-expression and the tragic consequences of societal pressure. The film's portrayal of Keating's unorthodox methods and the students' response provides a compelling narrative that champions the value of inspiring teachers and the importance of following one's passion.