Different Lessons for Different Generations

Rating: Null/10 (1 September 2005)

Firstly, I'm not saying that anyone's opinion is wrong. Opinions can't be wrong, by their very nature. That said, it does seem as though a great many people take a very skewed lesson from this story.
I'm not going to bother with rhetoric, I'm simply going to address the topic of the plot shift wherein Neil suicides. I've seen a great many posts from people saying that the lesson of Carpé Diem is completely undermined by the comedy-turned-tragedy moment of Neil's untimely death. Did anyone ever care to think that maybe the movie does not have the sole intention of imparting the wisdom of Carpé Diem to the young? Maybe the movie is much more well thought out than so many people seem to realize.
Consider, for a moment, a new perspective. One where the minor character of Neil's Father is designed to get the attention of every overbearing, zealous, and controlling parent out there. Suddenly, the lessons of Carpé Diem and of following one's heart take a backseat to the lesson of "Live with your kin, not through them." Just because you've always dreamed that your son would be an astronaut doesn't mean that your son doesn't dream of being a fireman. Think about what happens to a moth when you capture it in your hands. A moth has what can best be described as a thin powder coating on its wings. If this powder is wiped off, the moth loses its ability to fly and very soon thereafter dies. Now, all the moth has to do to survive is stop attempting to fly away. But, nine times out of ten, that moth will keep beating its wings until the 'dust' has all been pulled from its wings and stuck to your palms, at which point the moth's fate is sealed. Just as our moth will die before it will give up flying, so will the man who hears his calling die before being sculpted by another's dreams. The square peg cannot fit the round hole.
Now, think about how true-to-life this movie is. In the time of the story's setting, that was exactly how things worked. Even in modern times, this problem exists. Even if it's not as widespread or obvious.
The entire movie revolves around Neil's desire to play "Puck" and shun the path to becoming a doctor in favour of answering his spirit's call to act. To those who think of this as offering the lesson of cowardice, please consider that it may not be cowardice so much as simply an inability to be anything other than what his spirit was drawn towards. If you need oxygen to live, and someone else ensures that you will not receive any: what is to become of you?
Yes, there are a multitude of lessons contained in this multifaceted movie. Carpé Diem Stand for what you believe in Be Loyal etc... But the most important lesson can be summed into two words. "Be Tolerant." Be yourself, and allow others the same freedom. Just because you have the capability to control another is not to say that it is the right thing to do.
To the Youth: Follow Your Heart. To the Aged: Raise your children, but raise them in their own image. To Everyone: Be Tolerant of other people's choices. If you don't like the choices of others, don't make the same ones for yourself.