“Carpe Diem”, or seize the day was the lesson taught to the boys of a New England boarding school by their teacher, Mr. Keating, in the Dead Poets Society. He was their inspiration, and encouraged them to go against the status quo. They were to live life to the fullest, and not become doctors and lawyers just because of their parents’ wishes. Each of the four characters, Todd Anderson, Neil Perry, Charlie Dalton, and Knox Overstreet, did so in their own way, which changed their lives forever.
Todd Anderson was living in his brother’s shadow, always trying to live up to his admirable reputation. He could be the exception to the theory of Carpe Diem in many people’s standards. Although, in his own, way, he stepped out of the box and took a few chances. Instead of sitting in his room studying every night like usual, he decided to meet with the Dead Poets Society in the cave. Todd also, after being directed by Mr. Keating, makes up a poem in front of the class. This was out of character for Todd, building his confidence.
Knox Overstreet was quite a character. After meeting a beautiful girl named Chris at a dinner party, he falls in love, although she has a boyfriend. Therefore, the theory of Carpe Diem plays out when he pursues this girl. Knox takes this love to the extreme when he is drunk at a party and tries to kiss a passed out Chris. Chet, her boyfriend, punches him. He also risks getting expelled from school when he travels to Chris’s school. Knox proceeds to recite her a poem he learned in the Dead Poets Society. He took Carpe Diem to heart, and made the most of his life.
Charlie Dalton, a.k.a Nuwanda, took Carpe Diem to the extreme, almost costing him his education. Charlie was a fiery spirit and the true rebel of the group. He would do anything to get attention, as shown when he wrote a letter to the newspaper asking for the admittance of girls to the school. He then stood up in the middle of the assembly pretending to answer a phone,...