Students
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Teachers & SchoolsFear
Cameron is a walking, talking ball of anxiety (until he has an emotional breakdown and neither walks nor talks, that is). And who can blame him? His parents are remote—specifically his dad, who treats his Ferrari like more of a son than he does Cameron.
Ferris, on the other hand, is as fearless as Cameron is fearful. For example, Ferris walks right into Chez Quis and steals Abe Froman's table. He's confident, and it works: He gets the table and an apology from the stuck-up maître d'. Ferris and Cameron are a study in contrasts, and the movie suggests that Ferris's bold approach is the way to go. In other words, if you want to be free, argues Ferris Bueller's Day Off, if you have any ounce of self-worth, you must face your fears.
Ferris's sole mission is to help Cameron become more confident in the face of his father's cruelty and materialism.
Cameron isn't afraid of his dad; he's afraid of the homicidal fury he'll unleash if he goes off on his dad.