In a traditional school, discipline is strict. But there is a thinking teacher, keating. There was a student who wanted to be free, who wanted to be free, Neil. There's a student who goes from submissive to unconstrained, Todd. It is these people who tell a story of bondage and freedom.
Keating, an ordinary teacher, had a different mindset from other teachers. In the first lesson, Mr. Keating hummed a brisk whistle and led his students out of the classroom. He borrowed a letter from Whitman to Lincoln, had them call him "o captain my captain" and taught them "carpe diem." Also, Mr. Keating asked the students to tear out the notes. Mr. Keating's class is not limited to teachers and this is an impressive place. In short, the director created a teacher image with his own thoughts and breaking the rules through one plot after another.
Neil is a man who yearns for freedom but is always in bondage. At the beginning of the film, Neil's father's "teaching" to Neil and Neil's helpless acceptance clearly show Neil's character. Neil loved acting so much that when he got number one, his father's disapproval made him give up. The director portrays neal as weak in this way. In the end, with the encouragement of Mr. Keating, neal completed the performance and it was a success. But at the end of the scene, Neil sees a subtle shift in his cousin's life after his father's. The renewed pressure from his father disheartened Neil. One night, Neil died and broke free.
Todd was a man who lived by obeying and then broke free. At the beginning of the film, the scene in the dormitory and Todd's absence from his friends' entertainment shows his introverted character. Todd's image is typically of a "good boy". The director gradually changed Todd's character through plots. Mr. Keating guided him in class to create his own poetry. Neil's enlightenment made him throw away the gift from his parents. At the end of the movie, Todd is the first to stand on the table and shout "o captain my captain."
The theme of this film is very profound. The beginning of the film is a very "solemn" ceremony, coupled with the dull music to give a more depressing feeling. Mr. Keating's whistle was light, representing his inner freedom. Twice in the film, the birds fly together in a spectacular scene, which is closely linked to the theme.