Todd Anderson: Dead Poets Society

Jom Martin
Mrs. Philp
English 83
23 January 2017
Todd Anderson character development Society always demands conformity from its members. Everyone is required to uphold tradition and any form of deviation is frowned upon. Essentially, society ensures that there is no room for the self and the individual to thrive. Any person who seeks to be different and all those who defy society endure pain, isolation and loneliness. This is the story of Todd Anderson, a character in the film Dead Poets Society. Todd is sent to an all-male school where he is expected to match that of his older brother who was celebrated while at the school (Weir). Todd represents the many individuals who have been denied a voice in determining the direction of their lives.

These two words accurately and sufficiently describe Todd when he enters the school. He is so shy that he is unable to participate in class activities. This can be blamed on the pressure that he faces. He is expected to reach the bar that his brother set. The timidity and shyness that characterize Todd serve as a representation of the state of society. Society requires individuals to live up to certain standards. It fails to understand that there are some individuals who are simply unable to live up to the set standards and expectations. Todd manages to gain confidence and step out of the shell within which society has confined him. There is a scene in the film where he is challenged by his English teacher, Mr. Keating, to be creative and imaginative (Weir). Despite initial hesitation and discouraging performance, Todd is eventually able to amuse his classmates with his creativity. He creates a poem in which he describes an old crazy man with a 'sweaty tooth'. He goes on to share with his class about a blanket that is too small to cover the entire body (Weir). It is only able to offer protection to the face. The creativity and courage that Todd demonstrates in this scene surprises even his poetry teacher, Mr. Keating. His performance represents the tremendous growth that he undergoes. His courage and creativity in this scene stands in sharp contrast to his fear and timidity at the beginning of the

The teaching methods that Keating uses go against the practices of the school. The school has traditionally demanded that its students conform. In response to the refusal by Keating to stick to the traditional methods used by the school, the school fires him and denies him the severance pay that is usually extended to fired employees. Todd participates in setting the stage for Keating's dismissal. He is summoned and asked to sign a document that states that Keating's teaching methods were dangerous (Weir). While it is true that Todd finally signs the document, it must be noted that he did this with hesitation and a heavy heart. Todd's reluctance to sign the document is another indication of his growth. He developed from a stage of fear to a phase where he was able to defend his beliefs. Overall, Todd demonstrates maturity, autonomy as a result of the growth that he undergoes thanks to the guidance that he receives from