Dead Poets Society Reflections

1.What is the film’s attitude towards youth? How does the film deal with the theme of ‘growing up’?

The film portrays the youth as a bunch of kids that need to be taken into hand every other moment. The youth in the film are allowed no freedom and have to heed to whatever their parents tell them to do. All of them are from the best prepatory school in the United States of America and their parents have high hopes for all of them. To the parents, the time when they are children should be spent on books to get a good profession in the future and they only picture their children doing what they want them to do, nothing else. Growing up in a school with rigid rules and formllllllllllalities mean that the children are kept in toe most of the time. Contrary to that, children at their age (~17) should be allowed to search for their true calling in life and what they want to do. In the film however, children are growing up to what their parents want them to be in the future.


2.How does each of the boys below choose to ‘seize the day’? What is your opinion about their individual choices?
Neil Perry took the initiative to set up the Dead Poets Society Club despite knowing that the school would not exactly approve of it because of his eagerness to learn more and appreciate poetry. He also knows that his passion in life would be acting and he auditioned for a play in the film even though he knew that was against his father's wishes. This was after Mr. Keating gave him the moral courage to stand up to his father that he decided to continue with the act and after his inspirational lesson on "Carpe Diem". He did not want his life to be controlled by his authoratative father and in doing so, he seized the day (did want he wanted to do so he would die knowing he lived" and went on acting. Personally, as a child, I do understand his feelings and the emotional struggles he must be going through. Knowing his father's character, what Neil could have done was to raise the issue up to a few understanding teachers (not just Mr.Keating), to get more advice. His father had wanted him to become a doctor all along, if that is not his wish, I feel that he should not follow his Dad's wishes. Furthermore, his acting was excellent in the play and since he does have some talent and gift in the field, his dad should at least give him a chance.

Charlie Dalton is actually from a rich family, for that, he is more happy, arrogant and care-free. He is more daring than alot of the others in the sense that he questions the rules of the school and attempts to break past them many times. For example, he published, anonymously, an article in the school's newspaper about how girls should be allowed into the school. After that, he goes on so much as to fake a phonecall from God saying that "Girls should indeed be allowed into the school". From the viewer's perspective, he is just a mischievous student but he is up to no harm, however he was punished by the school. Charlie does not care about the school, doing what he thinks is alright and for that, he follows the motto "Carpe DIem".
Well, as a viewer, I do admit that what he did was quite foolish. He got himself into unnecessary trouble but I do admire his foolhardy bravery in some aspect, it will take alot of courage to stand up to a strict headmaster.

Knox Overstreet is quite a lucky guy! He has a sudden infatuation with a girl named Chris who he barely knows. He follows Mr Keating's teachings of "Carpe Diem" and chases her even though she has a very domineering boyfriend. He goes all out for her, risking his relationship with the Danburry's. Actually he is in the same position as Neil, he is just lucky that Chat Danburry isn't in the same position as Neil's dad is in the picture and he isn't subject to obeying him. He was right to be "daring" as Mr.Keating and he is fortunate that he suceeded. In one of the scenes, he stated quite clearly "He would die if he doesn't get Chris", in that case, he nearly met the same fate as Neil.

Todd is quite a shy student at the start of the movie, unable to voice out his opinions until after a few of Mr Keating's lessons. At the end of the film, he is the first to stand on his desk in support of his beloved teacher and we see a very dynamic change interms of his character. He stands up for what he believes for and in my opinion, this is what Carpe Diem is about, standing up for what you believe is right.


3.The film suggests that man and nature are interlinked. Nature is here to offer us chances, it's a different environment and there are different choices. The film tells us to stand up for our beliefs, to explore our passions and make choices and not just follow the crowd.

4.Everyone is part of a community but it is our choice and personal decision that will ultimately decide our fates. We can choose to follow societal conventions all the time (not that it is bad) but just like Robert Frost, the road "less travelled" may be the one that makes all the difference. There's a time to be cautious and daring, we must recognise those moments and decide if we wish to be different from the rest.

5.Just like Niel's parents, my parents do whatever they can for what they think is best for me. Though I don't disagree with their decisions, like Niel, there are moments I feel unhappy and deprived. However, unlike Niel's parents, my parents give me a chance to speak up and tell them my feelings and opinions and they give me a choice as to what I want to pursue in life unlike Niel, who must be a doctor when he grows up. My parents are less authoratative and for that, I thank them.

6.Like the film, I have friends whom i share the same thoughts and feelings with. We hang out together, we mind our business together, we have fun together, we share our joys and sorrows together. When Nwanda was scolded and Niel was hurt by his dad, all his friends near him comforted him and this is true friendship because nobody left them in the lurch and they are not fair-weathered friends. My friends will do the same.

7."Two roads diverged in the wood and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." by Robert Frost. This sums up what the entire show is about. It encourages people to think out of the box and that following the crowd may not always be the best decision. Personally, I want to be a banker like my Dad when I grow up, get involved with trading and foreign exchange (FOREX), like many of the rich tycoons, they took the less travelled road and bought stocks or shares when others flinched and that made the difference in their lives. Because of that, I find this quote the most meaningful.

MockingBird Assignment

Musical Assignment:

Courtroom was not fair,
Tom was judged by hearts of men,
He was found guilty.


Intrapersonal:
Dairy Entry of Scout

Dear Dairy,

it's been a while since the court case and I guess things are settling down. Bob Ewell managed to get a job but lost it soon after - I guess he had his moment of fame but it lasted as long as his notoriety did. We all know he is just plain lazy but dear me, he actually accused Atticus of getting his Job! He just never learns from his mistakes does he? To make matters worse, Mr. Ewell seemed to bear grudges with everyone linked to the court case and he attempted to take matters into his own hands by breaking into Judge Taylor's house to burglar him. He harrassed Helen Robinson (Tom Robinson's wife) when she was working but thankfully, Mr Link Deas protected her and ensured her safety - he is a nice person.
This October, things have changed a bit. I heard that there'd be a pageant for the grown-ups; apple-boobing, taffy pulling, pinning the tail on the doney for the kids. In addition to that, there would even be a prize for the best Halloween costume created by the wearer! Golly, there's much more things to do. Sadly though, Jem can't come with me anymore for such events since he thinks he is "too old". Oh well, he will miss out on alot. Mrs Merriweather chose me to be a ham in her play entitled Maycomb County: Ad Astra Per Aspera, I guess im a fince contribution. She must have finally noticed my talent in acting! The costume was made by Mrs Crenshaw and it was quite a good match but it was quite uncomfortable. Not only was it too hot inside, it was too tight so I couldn't scratch any itch and I could not possibly get out of it alone.
Oh that Cecil Jacobs was a nutter. He snuk away from his parents and hit behind the tree. While Jem and I were so busy figuring our way to the school house in the darkness, he took the chance to jump and scare us. Now he is going to tell everyone in school how he scared us. Well, he was quite a good substitue for Jem. Both of us got thirty cents so we really had a good time together enjoying the items. The House of Horror was not as scary as expected, but Cecil did shriek quite a few times, I think he was more scared than me!
Finally, the play started and Cecil and I got back into our costumes. I made a huge mistake though, during the play. I had a very unprofessional entrance and Mrs Merriweather really made sure I felt bad about it. Jem's really growing up now, he is getting more and more like Atticus. He can actually make me feel right even when I did something so wrong. I wore my costume all the way so the crowd could not see how said I was deep down.
When there weren't too much people left, we made our way back home. It was still dark and we could hardly see our own feet. Jem placed one hand on my costume to guide me along. Suddenly, he started increasing the pressure and I knew something was amiss. We both heard footsteps behind us and we thought it was Cecil. Jem pointed out that the fat streaks on my costume was showing and that must've been how Cecil could follow usin the dark. I yelled "Cecil Jacobs is a big wet he-en!". Still there wasn't any response and I knew it was not Cecil. He would have immediately responded. Normally, he would've leapt at us already. I was starting to get scared.
The ground was cold and we were near the tree. We paused and the footsteps quickened. "Run!" Jem ordered, I tried to but my ridiculous outfit caused me to lose my balance. Someone hit me and the chicken wire used to construct my outfit was crushed. I tried to get out of my costume but I couldn't. I heard Jem and the stranger have a little fight. There was scuffling and kicking. Jem helped me out and we tried to make a break for it but we did not get too far. I felt Jem's hand leave me and the stranger got me. I ran towards him but instead hit a flabby male stomach. He tried strangling me but he lost his vice-liek grip suddenly and he was jerked backwards. It was quiet again suddenly. I heard a man's breathing but I knew it was not Jem's. I stretched out my hands to find Jem but felt a body that smelt like Stale Whisky. It was Bob Ewell. I ran towards the streetlight and saw another man carrying the body of Jem.
He brought Jem into ou house and Aunt Alexandra as well as Atticus were worried sick. They called Reynolds and the sherriff. Jem wasn't dead as I feared but suffered a hard knock. Mr Heck Tate however brought us news that Bob Ewell was dead, with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs under the ancient oak tree.
Atticus still did not get it. He still wondered who saved us. Mr Tate pointed it out though. I looked at Mr Boo Radley wwho was silent at a corner and I said "Hey Boo." I felt the boundaries between us dissolve as I realised slowly how human he was. He had feelings, he was nice, he was just different and instantly, I regretted all the pranks i played on him. A thousand thoughts were flooding into my mind as I looked at him.
Atticus and Heck Tate decided to let the matter drop and not persecute Mr Radley. I found it strange but I didn't really want to know more. My mind was fuzzy and i really needed some rest after all the trauma that I faced. I looked at Jem and I wished he would get back better.

After all, it had been a busy day...

The Dark Knight

Dark Knight!!

This is my favourite movie, not because Batman wears his underwear the wrong way out (in order to mimick his buddy Superman) but due to the action-packed film. Feverish Action? Check! Cool plot? Check! Nice costumes? Check! One thing's for certain, how can a man in a bat suit and a joker with a crooked smile and awful fashion sense relate to the dark side of our human world?

"I don't want to kill you" Heath Ledger's Lunatic Joker tells the star of the show,Christian Bale. "You complete me." Just like our world, there's gotta be good to be evil. True enough, there won't be a plot without either of the 2.

Batman is also known as Bruce Wayne - the playboy billionaire in the show. Unknown to the public, he is actually Batman ;) He is sick of having Batman known as a vigilante and has long enough been the White Knight in shining armour that saves Gotham from all evil. He would much rather have Harvey Dent (Gotham's famous District Attourney) to lay off his girlfriend Rachel Dawes - his only hope to having a normal life.

The joker on the other hand is really a...joker. The starting scene has him and a gang of other desperate, deranged people rob a bank. Its almost like a normal daily activity for this madman and his laughter when others die. His Character is warped as his takes pride and feels pleasure when he watches people suffer in agony.

I know the quality isn't too good but we can easily see how sick the Joker really is. How he wishes to savour the "little emotions" in people's "last moments". How sick he is as he makes use of those who are desperate for help and mental solace.

In a way, I do pity the Joker for not having a really great environment to grow up in, with loads of negative influences... "Why so serious..." To find out how he got the scar of a grin, you'd just have to watch the movie!


Then again, this show really exemplifies man's character. It is easy to be swayed to the dark side. As Harvey Dent puts it "You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become a villain." The Joker attempts to prey on Batman and turn him into a chaotic monster just like himself but fails. Towards the end, the Batman knows that Gotham needs a White Knight, someone to look up to and realises that the Batman is not what Gotham needs. Gotham needs someone with a face, as such, he leaves Harvey Dent there to take up the position as Gotham's White Knight while becomes the Dark Knight - The silent guardian, the Watchful Protector...




If you haven't watched this movie yet, you are at a loss!

Stem Cell Research

Aren't Cartoons really effective in telling you loads about a Topic? Stem Cell Research is a hot, controversial topic that is highly debateable by professionals and Scientists around the world. It all boils down to 1 key factor, is the embryo considered a living thing?
Dear Reader, please stop to ponder over this. That little cell, does it have a mind of its own? It has no heart, no organ and no way of defending itself - is it or is it not a living thing?

Why is the Stem Cell so important? Why do so many across the world want to experiment and examine it and yearn to have it?
How did your organs come about? By Magic? Nah, far from that, stem cells are like little factories and slowly, the start specialising into becoming unique parts of the human bodies. If Man is able to manipulate it, things such as Parkinsons and Cancer can be cured since you could use the stem cell to replace any damaged organ in the long run. Did that stun you? Was it an Eye Opener? That being said, it is still a fact that Man hasn't been able to fully understand these minute cells and as such, continuous research is the only way to develop our understanding of it.

The point of controversy is, when is the Stem Cell considered a living thing? It is after all an embryo, the prelude to a baby! There are several biological markers which only occur after the fourteenth day which by then, the embryo would have been destroyed by the extraction of the stem cells. As such, no form of life would take place after the research has been complted since the cells would most likely have been harmed or even destroyed after being exposed to certain chemicals or machines. Some Scientists argue that a cell should not be given equal attention like a man walking on the road but others feel it is still a life and that Scientists are absolutely ruining all chances of it becoming a human being just like us. Is that murder? Then again, Scientists are smart people and have actually likened the stem cell to a cadaver in order to continue their pursuit for government financial assistance. However, I feel that a cadaver is a dead thing to start out with but the stem cell would lose its chance to live. That's the thing that has baffled me since Scientists feel that the stem cell is still "Raw Material" before the 14th day.

It is justifiable to say that this is just a smokescreen hiding many from seeing the big picture since being able to control stem cells would benefit an even larger pool of people. Man would have a whole new perspective and paradigm when coming across this topic and human reproduction might seem like a whole new Vending Machine. We can create Raw Material - "For the cells! Not the Baby!"


I feel that something this controversial shouldnt have concrete times as to when and where research should stop but should however be circumstantial. Cells and Babies shouldnt be deemed material less Mothers would be no different from Factories.

Medical progress is important for the world, but moral ethics also play a part. Though the cells might not have any feelings whatsoever, we must take into account that they will become living creatures later on. As such, there is a grey area. Should we sacrifice a few for the sake of millions around the world? My answer would be a resounding yes, though it would be tragic that a few would have to exterminated in the research project. As such, the government could portion of a few cells each time from donors who donate their cells. Of course, monetary rewards should not be given as people might try to take advantage of the government. We will see in due course how many around the world are kind enough to help others in the world. The benefits of being able to utilize stem cells are plenty.

For now, we will stick to the fourteen day rule. That would be equivalent to two weeks and only time will tell what Scientists can discover! Onwards, for the greater good for Mankind!

So tell me, reader, are you a Republican or are you a Democrat. Would you fight for the greater good and forego a few or will you keep everyone safe?