Cameron’s Character
Richard Cameron (Dylan Kussman) is the perfect example of everything Keating is against. During the procession in the beginning of the movie, he is holding the banner that says “tradition,” and from then onwards represents tradition throughout the entire movie.
For example, on the first day of Keating’s class, Keating tells them they will all die one day, and it is up to them to take advantage of situations and make the most out of life. After class, Cameron asks if they will be tested on that material showing his concern only for his grades and future career, not about what he can do to make the most of his life. Also, during their study group, Knox comes back from dinner and talks about Chris. Cameron shows no sympathy to Knox by telling him to forget about her and do trig. When Keating tells the class to rip out the pages of Pritchard’s introduction, Cameron watches everyone else do so, and only rips out his pages after he is encouraged to do so by Neil. Cameron only comes to the DPS meeting because everyone else is. He tells his madman story after Neil tells his to go along with the group.
Principles of GroupThink:
Irving Janis’s 8 symptoms of groupthink from John Sabini’s Social Psychology:
- overestimate the group they are a part of
- believe in the inherent morality of the group, regardless of how immoral its plans are
- develop group rationalizations for defective policies
- rely on stereotypes of their adversary rather than accurate conceptions
- suppress rather than express their doubts and reservations about a decision
- have the illusory belief that the group is unanimous in its decision when many in fact have doubts and reservations
- overtly call upon those who do express criticism to suppress that criticism out of loyalty to the group or its leader
- sometimes appoint someone such as a “mindguard,” who is in charge of suppressing dissent
Cameron’s Betrayal
It is Cameron (acting like Judas) who betrays Keating for his own purposes. He is “brainwashed” (term used loosely here, as he is still responsible for his own actions) into believing that Keating is the cause of Neil’s suicide and is the first to sign the confession. Because of his betrayal, Nwanda punches him (like Peter cutting off the Temple servant’s ear when they came to arrest Jesus) and is expelled for his behavior.
In the end, Cameron does not stand in support of Keating, as many of the others. He is unable to admit that he sold himself out for the sake of his academic career. He never does learn the concept of free thought and is much more comfortable doing what he is told.
It’s worth noting, though, that Cameron demonstrates that he IS capable of resisting groupthink when all the other boys stand on their desks and he remains seated. Although he is certainly an unlikable character, he is the only one not to fall in love with the image that Keating projects and not to fall into what might arguably be called the “cult of Keating.” The term groupthink does not and should not apply only to “the man,” it applies to Keating as well.
Amanda-I’m not sure I agree with your interpretation. It seems to me that in the above scene, Cameron was actually clinging to conformism, by behaving in a manner that would receive the approval of Mr.Nolan and the great majority of Hellton. I’ll admit though, it is ironic that Keating, in his quest to destroy conformism, in fact encouraged it. Namely, he attempted to ensure(rather successfully) that the boys in his classroom only think for themselves, and not submit to the decisions of others. He forgot that true free thinkers are able to consider their options, and do not rigidly adhere to a certain class of opinions.
I agree that Cameron was in fact trying to save his skin by staying seated when Mr. Nolan was telling the boys to sit back down, however I don’t believe it was Mr. Keating’s intention to create a cult mentality in which the boys forgo all forms of authority or discipline and think and act completely independently. After Dalton/Nwanda’s stint with the phonecall during the school assembly, he is lightly reprimanded by Mr. Keating who says “sucking the marrow out of life doesn’t mean choking on the bone. There is a time for daring, and there is a time for caution. A wise man understands which is called for.” I believe that Mr. Keating, being a graduate of “Hell-ton” himself, knew all too well the oppressive doctrines imposed upon the students by the rigid school system, and wanted to encourage them to challenge this established system by valuing their own values and perspectives of the world. This doesn’t mean he wanted to overthrow tradition altogether, he simply wanted to introduce a new way of thinking which deviated from the convention of the time and which could be observed while still paying respect to old doctrines when appropriate.
I think you all have rather interpreted this section of the movie wrong.Cameron has no mind of his own.He is a follower. He follows the person who has the highest authority to ensure his own safety,so that his life is not affected in any way.He is selfish and betrays the most admirable teacher or person in the movie,Mr Keating.He does not solve the message Mr Keating has left for his students and does not “seize the day”.He does not work out his own passions and free himself,but rather follows the schools conduct of tradition.