Individuality is a concept previously unknown to the boys of the strict school, Welton high. When Mr.Keating is introduced as the new English teacher, their lives are enhanced by his strange teaching strategies and lively lessons. Unlike traditional classes, the lessons taught by Keating range from seizing the day to changing outlooks on life. Peter Weir does an excellent job of portraying the importance of useful lessons such as "carpe diem" rather than conventional classroom ones in his film "Dead Poets Society"
Carpe diem is mentioned often in the film. Within the strict, dull walls of the school, the idea to seize the day emerges after Mr. Keating shows his students pictures of former graduates. He informs them that some of the boys were so focused on their studies that they neglected to take the time to take chances, risks or truly live. A common misconception is that good grades are the only way to success but, as the boys learn, that isn't necessarily true. "Carpe diem" is what opened their minds to new ideas and influenced them to live life to it's fullest and to seize every day. From Neil pursuing his hidden talent of acting and standing up to his controlling father to Knox taking the courage to recite poetry to his secret love, the boys learn that taking chances is essential and adds liveliness to their formerly mundane lives. The inspiration from Mr.Keating is what influenced the boys to take advantage of their days and to live with spirit.
Along with living a full, spirited life, he tells the students that it is important to keep an open, flexible mind and to look at things from different and changing points of view. He makes them literally climb on top of a desk and have a look around. This unusual expression for "changing points of view" teaches his students more than any bland text book possibly could and is a lesson they'll remember for the rest of their lives. Keating also has his students tear pages out of their textbooks that he thinks of as useless, intellectual rubbish. In his view, a book is not a sacred authority, but a tool that should be used if wanted. He frequently reminds the boys to think for themselves, and not just to accept what teachers or textbooks try to tell them.
Keating's lessons are not from books but rather life lessons that will be important throughout the boys lives. For one of his classes, he brings the whole group outside and makes them walk around the yard. As the students walk, they more and more adjust their steps to those of the other students, and shortly the casual walk turns into a march. Keating begins to clap his hands and the students all join into the clapping and marching. After a while Keating stops the exercise and explains how it is difficult for people to listen to their own voice or maintain their own beliefs in the presence of others. He further explains that there is a need in us all to be accepted but it's also important to be yourself and be unique. This message inspires Todd to overcome his shyness and Knox to declare his love to Chris, even though the odds are against him. It also drives Neil to pursue his love of acting and to audition for a Midsummer Night's Dream, despite the disapproval from his father. Keating encourages him to take the role and reveal his true self to his father. Although this didn't work out very well for Neil in the end, it is important that he was honest to himself and family.
From individuality to different perspectives and seizing the day, Keating truly enriched the lives of his pupils. Rather than filling their brains with bland, irrelevant nonsense from a text book, he teaches them how to live and suck the marrow out of life. His obscure lessons and lively personality impact the boys in more ways than one and they will be grateful for such a teacher or "captain" for as long as they live.
