Parents are perhaps the most important role models to their children. When a child is young, he looks to his parents for help in identifying his role in society as a man. As the child grows older, he looks to his parents for guidance as to what course he should take in life. However, the parent's should never use their guidance as a weapon to control the dreams of their children. Many times, the parent's role in their children's life is extremely disciplined and dominated, which can cause the child to suffer strong psychological consequences and grows to hate and despise his parents. The parents should control their children's actions/future to an extent where the child can understand and happily accept his parent's decisions. In the movie Dead Poet's Society, dominating parents, especially fathers make negative impacts on their son's development during adolescence.
In the film, Dead Poet's Society, Neil Perry would have never committed suicide if his dominating father would have sat down and chatted about what Neil wanted and what they could do to compromise. Mr. Perry plays a critical role in the development of his son. Neil's relationship with his father is a case of misunderstanding and lack of communication. Mr. Perry wanted what was best for his son, which led to extremely high expectations. Neil wanted to find out whom he was and what he wanted to do. Neil was unable to discuss his opinions and options with his father, and Mr. Perry was unwilling to look at Neil's outlook on life. However, Neil had a precise idea of what he wanted to do. At the beginning of the movie, Neil appears to be a popular, well-adjusted student at the private school he attends, Welton Academy. However, when his father comes to see him at the beginning of the semester, it becomes apparent that his father controls him. His father instructs him to quit the school newspaper committee because he does too many extracurricular activities and needs to concentrate on his studies.
