Dead Poets Society, written by Tom Schulman, includes suspense, poetry, history, and death. Tom Schulman goes into depth about the harsh realities of what academic pressure can do to impressionable minds and what is truly valuable in the long run. Schulman portrayed these characters as so much more than just ink on paper, they have emotions and complex feelings that can’t be expressed because they are not accepted in their society. The characters, with difficult lives as just kids, have to exceed high and unrealistic standards that are expected of them. We see how people can influence one another, how one person can single mindedly change the idea of being “perfect”, and how people can break under immense pressure.

In the novel, a new student enrolls into one of the country's most prestigious schools, The Welton Academy. The students that attend this school are expected to do everything flawlessly and have no little to no freedom. The teachers in this academy are controlling and extremely strict. They don’t believe in “mistakes'' and something as simple as making a joke is considered an unforgivable offense that requires physical punishment. This new student meets others in this school, individuals who are strict rule followers and others who are more carefree and reckless. Most importantly, he meets a new teacher that just got a job there, Mr. John Keating. This professor is unlike any other teacher who has ever stepped foot in this building. In contrast to any other teacher at the boarding school, Mr. Keating impresses his students on the first day of class by being energetic and making jokes. This is completely unheard of and unexpected. This professor makes his students laugh and actually wants to come to class. Different from other teachers, he goes out of his way to help his students and get to know them. 

During the book, confidential mysteries are revealed. Light is shed on undisclosed facts, dark pasts, and secret societies. The students in this book are under immense pressure to be the absolute best. They have to get the top grades to go to the most elite schools and if they don’t, their parents would never forgive them. They would be a disgrace to their family. Since the day these kids were born their lives have already been planned. There is no room for emotions or doubts, you do what is asked of you without questioning anyone. So, what happens when these rules are broken? When these expectations aren't met? When these teenagers decide to put themselves first for once in their lives and face the devastating consequences? Not everyone can take the pressure and during this book we see how different people face what is in front of them. We see what it is like to reach your limit and break. To be completely worn out and have nothing left to fight for.

I would 100% recommend this book to people of all ages. This book further explains the pressure to succeed to a whole other level. How teenagers are expected to be the best when they are still trying to live their lives and are still growing up, to go back when things were simple and no one expected a genius out of you. Most importantly, this book makes people feel seen.  I would strongly suggest that people or all ages read Dead Poets Society due to its phenomenal message that it sends. I would rate this book a 10/10 due to it’s captivating characters and intriguing storyline.