Dead Poets Society is a classic American film about John Charles Keating, a newly appointed English teacher, and his students at a prestigious preparatory school in 1959. The film explores the problem of the rigid and authoritarian education at the time and delivers a deeply emotional message through Keating’s philosophy of self-directed living. Often cited as a life changing film, Dead Poets Society is a beloved classic and has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award. However, behind the emotional resonance, we should take a closer look at the way Keating conveyed his educational philosophy. Was his approach truly the best one for his students? Although his ideals were inspiring, the film ends on a tragic note. One of his students Neil Perry ultimately dies by suicide, Keating is fired from the school, and the remaining students return to the old and rigid system as if everything that happened was just a midsummer night's dream. This makes us think about how idealistic teaching, no matter how inspiring, actually can cause harm if it's not handled carefully. Keating’s core philosophy can be summarized in the iconic Latin phrase, Carpe Diem, which means "Seize the day" in English. Keating challenged the conformity and rigidity of traditional education and instead encouraged creativity, liberation, and personal voice. He urged students not to postpone their happiness for the sake of a predetermined future, but to pursue a life that aligns with their own values and desires. His philosophy undoubtedly had a positive influence on his students, sparking change and awakening their sense of self. Even today, it poses an important question about the role of education and continues to resonate in environments where students are stuck voiceless. Still, no matter how good a message may be, its effectiveness depends on how it is delivered. In this regard, Keating’s education methods raise significant concerns. Most of his students were emotionally vulnerable teenagers, going through puberty. On top of that, they came from upper-middle-class families with limited freedom and high expectations. For students already under such pressure, being told to suddenly "seize the day" and follow their own path may not be liberating, but overwhelming. Freedom without emotional readiness or structural support can easily lead to confusion and crisis. Furthermore, Keating failed to prepare his students for the consequences of their freedom and choices. For instance, Charlie Dalton pulls a reckless prank on the principal under Keating’s influence and it is only afterward that Keating teaches the importance of responsibility. This pattern of late guidance continues with Neil Perry. In Neil’s case, he is caught between his passion for acting and his father’s expectations. Keating sees Neil struggling but neither intervenes early on nor attempts to mediate between Neil and his father. While Keating did not directly cause Neil’s death, his inactive involvement and failure to anticipate the emotional weight of his message contributed to a tragic outcome. In the end, the school fires Keating, not because Keating spontaneously takes responsibility, but because they need someone to blame. This shows that as a teacher, Keating inspires his students but doesn’t give them the steady support they really need. The final scenes of the film further reveal the limitations of Keating’s idealism. In one of his classes, Keating encourages students to rip out a textbook page that teaches poetry through formal formulas, rejecting conventional approaches to literature. Yet after his dismissal, the headmaster resumes teaching using that very page. The students who have tasted intellectual and emotional freedom are thrown back into the system they had questioned, creating a stark sense of confusion and disappointment. This dissonance between idealism and reality shows that education must not only inspire but also maintain a balance within its social context and system. Without a strong base and institutional continuity, even the most moving philosophy is meaningless. Undeniably, Dead Poets Society is a profoundly moving film. Keating is portrayed as a passionate educator who genuinely cares for his students. His message resonated with many, especially those who feel a lack of freedom. However, education requires something more than inspiration. It demands accountability, consistency, and a long-term vision that nurtures growth within the real world. Educators, especially those who seek to guide young lives, must take responsibility not only for what they teach, but for how their teachings are absorbed, interpreted, and acted upon. Instead of viewing this film emotionally, we should also reflect critically on the complex nature of education and the delicate balance between idealism and responsibility.