Few things in the world are better than an inspiring story. From sitting around the campfire to watching on the big screen— stories captivate, inspire, and challenge us to be better people.
There’s one movie I’ve repeatedly watched over the years that has significantly impacted me— Dead Poets Society featuring Robin Williams. It’s a movie that tackles life, love, education, conformity, and death. (see an extensive summary here) It’s a movie, released in 1989, that has stood the test of time. It’s a movie that demonstrates Robin Williams’ mastery as a teacher, actor, and storyteller.
In the movie, Robin Williams, who plays English Professor Mr. John Keating, teaches students to think for themselves, step outside their comfort zones, and stand up for what they believe, all to live an extraordinary life. In one of my favorite lines of the movie, Williams says, “no matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” He challenges his students to contribute their ideas to the world. He encourages them to add their voice and action in whatever it is they seek to change.
One scene, while short, stood out among the rest. It’s a scene that shows the transformation of a shy boy, afraid to read a poem in front of the class, into a confident young man who speaks poetically from his heart. The result is not just a moment of growth for the boy, but for the entire class.
(watch the scene here)
(read the movie script of the scene at the bottom of this blog)
This scene impacted me for a few reasons.
- It’s Challenging – I teach life, leadership, and basketball skills to middle and high school students around the country at PGC basketball camps. This scene challenged me to understand—every kid can do more than they think, if guided and encouraged with care.
- It’s Inspiring – Transformations happen within moments. In this scene, the class initially laughed at the student, Todd, until he courageously recited a poem with confidence and grace. The courage Todd showed was a moment none of those students would ever forget, and frankly, neither will I.
- It’s Captivating – Robin Williams was a confident, captivating speaker and teacher. It’s something I strive to do every time I step in front of a group to speak. The interesting thing is I have seen this movie many times, and yet, I always learn something new when I watch it again.
I hope my words and ideas eventually do change the world, whether it’s on a stage in front of 500 people, in a tiny classroom teaching basketball, or meeting a stranger in the grocery store.
My hope for you is that you ”strive to find your own voice,” just like Robin Williams emphasized in the movie. My hope is you do the work now to find your voice. Don’t wait— because the longer you wait to begin— the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau once said, “most men lead lives of quiet desperation. Don’t be resigned to that. Break out.”
Movie Scene Script
Keating approaches Todd’s desk.
KEATING
Mr. Anderson, I see you sitting there in
agony. Come on, Todd, step up. Let’s put
you out of your misery.
TODD
I, I didn’t do it. I didn’t write a
poem.
KEATING
Mr. Anderson thinks that everything
inside of him is worthless and
embarrassing. Isn’t that right, Todd?
Isn’t that your worst fear? Well, I
think you’re wrong. I think you have
something inside of you that is worth a
great deal.
Keating walks up to the blackboard and begins to write.
KEATING
“I sound my barbaric yawp over the
rooftops of the world.” W. W. Uncle Walt
again. Now, for those of you who don’t
know, a yawp is a loud cry or yell. Now,
Todd, I would like you to give us a
demonstration of a barbaric “yawp.” Come
- You can’t yawp sitting down. Let’s
- Come on. Up.
Todd reluctantly stands and follows Keating to the front.
KEATING
You gotta get in “yawping” stance.
TODD
A yawp?
KEATING
No, not just a yawp. A barbaric yawp.
TODD
(quietly)
Yawp.
KEATING
Come on, louder.
TODD
(quietly)
Yawp.
KEATING
No, that’s a mouse. Come on. Louder.
TODD
Yawp.
KEATING
Oh, good God, boy. Yell like a man!
TODD
(shouting)
Yawp!
KEATING
There it is. You see, you have a
barbarian in you, after all.
Todd goes to return to his seat but Keating stops him.
KEATING
Now, you don’t get away that easy.
Keating turns Todd around and points out a picture on the wall.
KEATING
The picture of Uncle Walt up there. What
does he remind you of? Don’t think.
Answer. Go on.
Keating begins to circle around Todd.
TODD
A m-m-madman.
KEATING
What kind of madman? Don’t think about
- Just answer again.
TODD
A c-crazy madman.
KEATING
No, you can do better than that. Free up
your mind. Use your imagination. Say the
first thing that pops into your head,
even if it’s total gibberish. Go on, go
TODD
Uh, uh, a sweaty-toothed madman.
KEATING
Good God, boy, there’s a poet in you,
after all. There, close your eyes. Close
your eyes. Close ’em. Now, describe what
you see.
Keating puts his hands over Todd’s eyes and they begin to slowly
spin around.
TODD
Uh, I-I close my eyes.
KEATING
Yes?
TODD
Uh, and this image floats beside me.
KEATING
A sweaty-toothed madman?
TODD
A sweaty-toothed madman with a stare
that pounds my brain.
KEATING
Oh, that’s excellent. Now, give him
action. Make him do something.
TODD
H-His hands reach out and choke me.
KEATING
That’s it. Wonderful. Wonderful.
Keating removes his hands from Todd but Todd keeps his eyes
closed.
TODD
And, and all the time he’s mumbling.
KEATING
What’s he mumbling?
TODD
M-Mumbling, “Truth. Truth is like, like
a blanket that always leaves your feet
cold.”
The students begin to laugh and Todd opens his eyes. Keating
quickly gestures for him to close them again.
KEATING
Forget them, forget them. Stay with the
blanket. Tell me about that blanket.
TODD
Y-Y-Y-You push it, stretch it, it’ll
never be enough. You kick at it, beat
it, it’ll never cover any of us. From
the moment we enter crying to the moment
we leave dying, it will just cover your
face as you wail and cry and scream.
Todd opens his eyes. The class is silent. Then they begin to clap
and cheer.
KEATING
(whispering to Todd)
Don’t you forget this.
Source:
https://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/dead_poets_final.html