1.2.1. Social Background

The four movies have presented the phenomena and changes of American education system from 1950s to 1990s. From the end of the 50s in 20th century, America has already started to do some exploration in the aspect of education reform, which can be seen from the enactment of The National Defense Education Act in 1958, and the proclamation of James Bryant Conant about suggestions on American secondary school education and normal education reform in 1959. Then came the course reform during 60s to 70s, which led to the education reform in 80s. The significant events in educational circles mentioned above have all been closely related to gists of these four movies.

Take Dead Poets Society as an example, the theme of movie “Carpe diem--to pursue spirit emancipation” has run through the whole film, which is a rather advanced and innovative concept in America in 1959, incompatible with the social and national condition at that time. A year before the filming of this movie in 1987, America fell into the financial crisis of stock market crash, during which the idea of “Carpe diem” had just reflected the need and hope of American society. The character in the movie, Mr. Keating, is the symbol of value orientation in the new era, a force to break up with status quo, and shows the necessity and inevitability of reform in the education system from 1950s to 1990s.