Oh, captain, my captain!

MANILA, Philippines - THIS WEEK’S WINNER

Hyemin Chu, 17, is a Korean national studying at La Consolacion College Manila. Her favorite subjects are English and literature. “I have two younger sisters who are also studying here in the Philippines. And I have been staying here in Manila for almost three years with my mom and sisters. After graduating middle school in Korea, my father recommended for me to study in the Philippines. In fact, it was so hard for me to decide to go to abroad. I decided to think in positive ways instead of crying and thinking about friends and family in Korea. After I made my Filipino friends, they really helped me a lot and encouraged me to adjust here.”

Dead Poets Society, based on the screenplay by Tom Schulman, is one of my favorite books. The story of Dead Poets Society happens in Welton Academy, a school that provides strict rules for its students to enter Ivy League schools.

With a tense atmosphere, a new term has begun. Professors always gives lots of things to do and teach students quite severely. Freshman Todd Anderson is timid and doesn’t have confidence. However, he would change gradually with the help of Mr. Keating and his friends. Mr. Keating, a former student of Welton Academy, doesn’t like the style of Welton, so he becomes a different teacher from the others. He usually begins his lectures ardently and emphasizes “carpe diem,” telling his students that they need to seize the day to make their lives truly valuable, and he also tells them to call him “captain.”

He is an English teacher who not only uses books, theories and formulas but different and innovative ways. For example, Keating tells his boys to rip out some of the pages of books, which describe a mathematical way of determining poetry. He tells his students that this is garbage, because poetry cannot be measured with any mathematical formula. Moreover, he also asks his students to stand on their desks to see things in a different way. The teaching style of Keating is unconventional in Welton but students become gradually interested in Keating’s way of teaching and his ideas.

One day, Neil and his friends find the graduation album of Keating. They learn that he was one of the members of “Dead Poets Society.” They were so curious about what the Dead Poets Society is, so they immediately ask him. Keating explains it but he warned them to keep it a secret. Nevertheless, one day, the students try to sneak out of the campus to convene their own version of the Dead Poets Society. They read different kinds of poems and share opinion. In the club, they all feel real passion in themselves, becoming more mature through the club and the teachings of Keating.

At this time, for timid student Todd, he shares his poem in front of his classmates. It is a hard challenge for him, but he successfully does it. Then, also for Neil, who finds out what he really wants to be. In fact, he finds his interest in acting, so he challenges himself and auditions secretly for a play and is cast as the main character. However, there is a big problem. Neil’s father is against his love for acting. He wants his son to someday become a doctor. Neil is so disappointed that his father doesn’t allow him to do what he really wants to do, but because of his passion for acting, he does the play — and performs well.

However, after the play, his father takes him home and scolds Neil, telling him he would be transferred to a military school so he can someday become a doctor. Neil tragically kills himself with a gun.

 News of this sad and shocking accident quickly spread. Everyone is surprised and depressed about Neil’s death. At this time, Cameron, who is also one of the members of Dead Poets Society, suddenly reveals their secret club. He tells others that one basic cause behind Neil’s death is Keating. Therefore, to cover this disgraceful situation of the school, Mr. Nolan, who is a principal of Welton, forces all the members of Dead Poets Society to sign a document stating that it was the fault of Keating. Literally, Keating becomes entrapped, but he courageously decides to take responsibility for the death of his beloved student. Other students try to defend their teacher but their efforts are useless.

Sadly, the last day of Keating in Welton comes too fast. He packs his belongings to leave Welton. At this moment, Todd starts to say “Oh captain, my captain.” Other students also stand on their desks one by one for their beloved teacher.

I especially like the last part of the book. The inspiring teacher changes his boys, giving them freedom to be passionate about something, to come out of their shell.. Keating is the kind of teacher that we really need for us to change our educational system.

Truly, when I read this book, it made me think of my own experience when I was studying in South Korea. For me, our educational system is similar to that of Welton Academy, because most of the schools and parents always force us to study only to enter well-known colleges and to get good jobs after. Almost all students spend their time in school from early morning until the evening. Of course all teachers and parents want their kids to have a good future. And, of course, as students, we have to study, but this is not effective and this style of education ignores the development of the individual personality.

Carpe diem, seize the day, life is so short and we live it only once. Thus, I believe that we must enjoy every moment and do something that we really want to do. Neil commits suicide because he could not do what he really wanted too. How sad it is! It really pained my heart when I read this part. Every person has different characteristics, abilities and interests. Therefore, we need to respect all and encourage their passions. Before, I didn’t know what to be and what should I do for my future. My parents wanted me to be a doctor, so I followed their decision. I was like Neil in this book. I always followed the decision of my parents in the past. But, I’m different from Neil in that I could explain my parents what I really want to be and what I like to do.

My middle school teacher in Korea recommended me to read this wonderful book. Instead of studying medicine to become a doctor, I’m now studying education to become a teacher someday. In the future, I will also teach my students with the creative mind of Mr. Keating and also teach them in a different way but as effective as him, the unforgettable captain of Welton Academy!