Peck's Theory of Love and Discipline As Applied to

Character Relationships in "The Dead Poets Society"

Life is difficult.

These are the words with which M. Scott Peck begins The Road Less Traveled. In his opinion, realizing that life is difficult is the first important step on the way to solving life's problems. The second, and perhaps most important, step to solving life's problems is realizing the need for discipline and understanding what discipline is. According to Peck (1978), "without discipline we can solve nothing. With total discipline we can solve all problems" (16-17). The relationships of various characters within the film "Dead Poets Society" shows that even total discipline is unable to solve all problems if its application does not involve love as well.

It appears appropriate to discuss the film using Peck's ideas on love and discipline since "The Dead Poets Society" involves numerous instances where individual...