Embedded Files
The Amazing Parallel of
I fell in love with poetry at eight years old after winning a school contest for a poem I wrote. That little spark kindled a fire within. At twelve, another poem of mine was published in the Chicago Tribune newspaper, fanning the flames. But the moment that poetry truly ignited for me—irrevocably and permanently—was in high school.
The early success in poetry had been gratifying, but true ignition came from a teacher who saw language not as curriculum, but as a catalyst of life itself. My sophomore English teacher, Paul T (PT), didn’t just teach us verse, he stoked the fire by inviting us to live poetically—in nonconformity, in wonder, and above all, in truth.
PT was a kind but renegade soul with chalk on his fingers and fire in his voice, the likes of the movie character teacher, John Keating, in Dead Poets Society. Like Keating, PT was unapologetically passionate about poetry. He defied convention, disrupted comfort zones, and freed us students from society's preconceived notions.
In addition to PT being like Keating, it happened to be at an all-boys college prep boarding school, where I studied, much like the school in the film. In that cloistered world, PT stood out. He was one of us and yet beyond us: cool, nonconformist, subversive to the system, wise. He didn’t just teach poetry—he breathed it.
PT's classroom was a sanctuary where:
- We were encouraged to think independently
- We were challenged to reach beyond what we thought possible
- We were urged to live life fully, intentionally
- We were allowed to be ourselves
- We were told, with much aplomb, to “seize the day”
And did I ever seize the day as I began to prolifically write and study poetry. But it defied what my dad wanted for me, to attend law school and be a lawyer, calling poetry, drama, and the arts "sissy stuff". Incredibly, in Dead Poets Society, the character Neil Perry defies his father's wishes when he seizes the day.
I lived the Dead Poets Society in my life.
Tragically, the character Neil's inability to reconcile his father's expectations with his own desires led him to take his own life in the movie. Thankfully, my disconnect with my father's expectations in real life drove me to prove my own path and show that it was as admirable as any other. I eventually won my father's heart.
PT's engaging curriculum didn’t just shift my perspective—it left a permanent mark inside. I still have the poetry reader we used in his class, worn, marked, and creased from years of return visits, Designs for Reading Poems by Carol Marshall and John A. Myers, Jr., Houghton Mifflin, 1969. More than a textbook, it has been a constant and quiet living companion in my poetic journey, providing inexhaustible inspiration and instruction through the years.
When I finally saw Dead Poets Society, I felt like I was watching a movie about myself. I'm glad poetry kindled a fire within me, but it was PT who stoked it into an unquenchable blaze that still burns bright today.
About the Movie
Dead Poets Society is an enduring, coming-of-age film that tells the story of an English teacher, John Keating, who, with his unorthodox teaching methods, inspires his students at a stuffy old traditional all-boys boarding school, Welton Academy, 1950s, to rise above the status quo.
The film explores themes of nonconformity and the pursuit of individuality through the transformative power of poetry. Keating encourages his students to seize the day, to challenge what is, and to pursue their passions by finding their authentic selves. He instills a sense of wonder and awe, inspiring them to strive to live a life true to their individual inner calling.
One student, Neil Perry, discovers his passion for acting and struggles to reconcile that with his stern father's expectations for him to pursue a career in medicine. He secretly lands a role in a play. His father forces him to abandon his pursuit of artistic endeavors saying it is a waste of opportunity and would ruin his life. Tragically, the character Neil commits suicide rather than live a life he doesn't choose.
The movie’s captivating story, memorable quotes, and impactful themes resonate with audiences and remind us to embrace our passions and live life to the fullest.
The Amazing Parallel with my Life
My poetry journey starts with my coming-of-age as a sophomore and is the story of an English teacher, Paul T, who, with his unorthodox teaching methods, inspires his students at a stuffy old traditional all-boys college prep boarding school, Salesians College Prep, 1970s.
PT explored themes of nonconformity and used poetry and literature to teach us to pursue our own dreams. He taught us the phrase, carpe diem, and encouraged us to seize the day, to find our true selves. He fostered a sense of wonder and awe, inspiring us to be true to self.
It was then that I knew my passion was to be a writer, an educator, an author, a poet-philosopher, to write poetry and teach literature. But my stern father's expectations were for me to be a lawyer, saying poetry is sissy stuff and pursuit of that will ruin my life.
I passed up an opportunity to have a full scholarship to Notre Dame in pursuit of law school (arranged by my dad) to instead pursue an English teaching and literature curriculum at Purdue University. It took some years, but eventually I won my father's heart and he was glad I pursued who I am and what made me fulfilled.
Note: PT taught our class before the movie Dead Poets Society was ever made. I finally watched the movie over a decade after its release. As I noted earlier, I felt like I was watching a movie about my own life.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse