How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Dead Poets Society.
Quote #4
MR. MCALLISTER: Quite an interesting class you gave today, Mr. Keating.
MR. KEATING: Sorry if I shocked you, Mr. McAllister.
MR. MCALLISTER: Oh, there's no need to apologize. It was very fascinating, misguided though it was.
MR. KEATING: You think so, huh?
MR. MCALLISTER: You take a big risk by encouraging them to be artists, John. When they realize that they're not Rembrandts, Shakespeares, or Mozarts, they'll hate you for it.
[…]
MR. KEATING: Funny, I never pegged you for a cynic.
MR. MCALLISTER: Not a cynic…a realist. "Show me the heart unfettered by foolish dreams, and I'll show you a happy man."
Mr. McAllister believes that not every student at Welton should follow his dreams. Why? Because they can't ever be as good a writer as Shakespeare or as good an artist as Rembrandt, and if they try they'll just be disappointed. He thinks they should have more realistic plans, and not be encouraged to follow every dream they might have for themselves.
Does he have a point? Not everyone who wants to sign will be Beyonce, and not everyone who wants to play basketball will get drafted to the NBA, after all. Does following our dreams only set us up for disappointment?
Quote #5
NEIL: I'm gonna act!
TODD: What?
NEIL: Yes. Yes! I'm gonna be an actor. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to try this! I even tried to go to summer stock auditions last year, but of course my father wouldn't let me. For the first time in my whole life, I know what I want to do. For the first time, and I'm gonna do it. Whether my father wants me to or not. Carpe diem!
Neil's dream becomes a reality for him the moment he sees there are tryouts on campus. He realizes that acting is what he wants to do with his life, and that nothing is going to stop him. His dream is going to become a reality. But even in his most excited moment, he still thinks of his father. He knows that his dreams will directly bump up against the plans that his father has for his life.