Freedom of Self-expression in Dead Poets Society Movie: Existentialist Perspective

Abstract

The goal of this study is to identify and elaborate the issue about freedom of self-expression described on the Dead Poets Society movie with the application of existentialist point of view as the theoretical framework. The methodology applied in this paper is descriptive qualitative. The data is in the form of dialogues and monologues. Document analysis is used in collecting the data. Researcher watched the movie thoroughly and noted the data and interpreted it based on the topic and analyzed it with existentialist perspective as the theoretical framework. Findings of this research shows that this movie depicts freedom of selfexpression as implied in the elements of the movie. Freedom of self-expression found in the movie included: restricted freedom of self-expression, freedom of self-expression in expressing criticism, freedom of self-expression in expressing ideas or thoughts, freedom of self-expression in expressing demands or choices to do an action, freedom of self-expression in expressing opinions or arguments and freedom of self-expression in expressing feelings. This freedom of self-expression is the way individuals, in the movie case, characters, realized virtues to give life meaning.