Dead Poets Society, written by N.H. Kleinbaum, based on the Tom Schulman film starring the beloved Robin Williams, is the epitome of academia in book form. I know its based on a film which would then bring up the debate of whether its place is in film or books, but I would say that it should be accepted as a multi-media entity of complete brilliance.

Dead Poets Society is a short read at only 160 pages. I would classify Dead Poets Society as light academia with some darker themes. It has the academia setting and the critique of themes and values such as tradition and masculinity in an academic setting (by this I’m referring to the things a boy or a man should study because of social perception rather than his want because of personal value). It also looks into the place and importance of the self in the world outside of social constructs and thinking. I’m sure you’ve seen a few of the quotes featured in this book while scrolling through academia tags on social media. for the messages this book teaches, I think the praise and acknowledgement is warranted and deserving.

The characters and their dynamics and interactions with each other bring about so many interesting themes and discussions about boyhood friendship, paternal figures and their impacts on the minds and lives of boys, and the significance of acceptance from a man to another man when it comes to non-traditional and non-masculine joys such as poetry, acting and so forth. It also gives us a lens in which we can see the historical records of the mid-1900s and how the endeavours of men were restricted to what is not only “appropriate” in terms of identity but what would bring in wealth regardless of skill, appreciation for the subject matter, or personal aspirations. The patriarchal hierarchy of the times and fathers ruling with a strong fist is still prevalent today, but with the advancements in techonology, science and entrepereneurship and general shift away from what was traditional, there is more freedom in career choices and less of an oppressive hold over young men in terms of what they study.

But back to the story – the teacher is one of the most inspiring, relatable character I have ever read and I cannot stress enough the impact his characterisation, his approach to thinking and learning, and his connection with his students had on me as a reader. This sounds silly, because after all this is a book, but I felt this character wholeheartedly and then more so because I could picture Robin Williams portraying this character, as he did in the film, so clearly. To be so privileged as to be taught by such a teacher would be the pinnacle of my childhood years. It’s all the more reason you should read this.

Dead Poets Society has my heart, it has my soul, and it can keep it because I know that I will be grabbing for this book on a regular basis and I will never forget it.