Essay Comparing Dead Poets Society And A Separate Peace

Words: 460
Pages: 2
Open Document
Everywhere, people struggle to try and meet the expectations set by society. A prominent theme in both the Dead Poets Society and A Separate Peace is how the pressure to conform to society can corrupt a person, expressed through the development of the characters in each work.

In the novel A Separate Peace, we see Gene, the narrator of the novel, telling the story as an adult, where he reflects upon his time at Devon 15 years ago. He admits that the reason for his visit is to see a flight of marble stairs and a tree by the river. Initially, Gene’s friendship with Finny is presented as innocent and carefree, with nothing to suggest otherwise. However, as the story progresses, we see how Gene’s competitiveness escalates, driven by the pressure …show more content…
As soon as they enter Welton Academy, the boys are ordered to recite (it is an all boys school) the four pillars in which they live by: tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence. Failure to live by these pillars will result in serious consequences. The boys are also put under pressure by the school and their parents, as they are expected to get good grades, so that they are able to attend good universities, especially those in the ivy league. Although many of the boys have other aspirations, they have no choice but to comply with their parents. A major example of this is Neil, one of the main characters in the movie. As Neil’s father quotes: “Son, I am trying very hard to understand why you insist on defying us, but whatever the reason, I am not going to let you ruin your life. Tomorrow I am withdrawing you from Welton and enrolling you in Braden Military School. You are going to Harvard and you are going to be a doctor.” Neil’s father exerts a huge amount of pressure over Neil, when all Neil desires is a career in acting. This eventually leads up to Neil’s suicide, as Neil’s father demands that Neil does everything his way rather than what Neil wants to
Show More

Related Documents: Essay Comparing Dead Poets Society And A Separate Peace

Essay Comparing Dead Poets Society And A Separate Peace

There are many similarities between the 1989 film Dead Poets Society and A Separate Peace by John Knowles. Both pieces are about adolescent teens struggling to discover themselves. The similarities between the two works include many pairs of characters, such as Todd and Gene, Finny and Neal, and Mr. Keating and Finny. Todd and Gene are both shy teenagers who need someone to encourage them to come out of their shell. Finny and Neal are both leaders and Mr. Keating and Finny are both inspiration for…

Words 574 - Pages 3

1105333226 2004 English Advanced Notes Hussain Essay

North, Lincoln praises the efforts of the dead and also calls upon the living to continue fighting for the cause of liberty. It is a speech of passionate resolve and high ideals in a tone that is formal, as well as sombre, reflective, sincere and meaningful. Lincoln’s formal register reflects his status as the President of USA. The speech is a eulogy relaying a message of freedom for all men during the US Civil War with a profound purpose of honouring the dead and soldiers and reiterating the purpose…

Words 7927 - Pages 32