Reading Film Guide: Dead Poets Society
As we continue to explore Personal Choices and
Consequences, your next challenge will be to again
analyze a film. We’ve already practiced the basics of
“reading” film; for example, you know that nothing in a
million dollar film production is accidental. Every
character, scene, and camera angle has a purpose
(whether that purpose is clearly conveyed is another
question).
The countdown to the end of the school year is on; sophomore year is around the corner. So, almostsophomores, your challenge in this film read is to focus on themes presented in the film. I’d like you to
explore how these themes are established and developed—which characters and what actions are revealing
the themes. What is the director trying to say to us through this plot? Why does he include specific external
and internal conflicts as part of this narrative? How does this film “fit” into our Personal Choices and
Consequences focus? In other words, I’m asking you to put it all together; can you apply the critical reading
and analysis we’ve been practicing all year long. Can you, as an almost-sophomore, come to logical and
rational conclusions as you break down this film?
We’re going to approach this film a bit differently; while I’ve created guiding questions and thoughts to
consider, the only assignments you’ll eventually be submitting to me are the JOURNAL PROMPTS. There are
two ways to think about this: yippee, I’m only going to complete the Journal Prompts because Hove is not
collecting anything else OR hey, I know Hove will only be collecting the Journal Prompts but I better take some
notes and jot down my thoughts so I’m prepared to answer the Journal Prompts. (Hint—there may be some
sort of written assessment after we’re done viewing the film…of course, you could use your notes to help
you write.)
To be clear, to get the most out of this film you will:
1) Be here every day of film viewing OR make arrangements to find the film/view what you’ve missed.
2) Complete all Journal Prompts (they will eventually be graded as part of your portfolio).
3) Consider all Guiding Questions and Thoughts to Consider in this handout…while you will not hand in
anything specific to be graded right now, you will be expected to be able to answer these questions
thoughtfully (perhaps through graded discussions, essays, semester exam, etc).
Thoughts to Consider: What is the Apple IPad Air Commercial—with narration by Robin Williams and words taken from
the film Dead Poets Society—really trying to say? What is the point? (move beyond the obvious, you cynics—of course
Apple is trying to sell products) Link = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiyIcz7wUH0
Characters to Consider: In whatever format works best for you, keep track of characterization for the following…
Mr. John Keating
Gerard Pitts
Neil Perry
Steven Meeks
Todd Anderson
Mr. Nolan
Knox Overstreet
Mr. Perry
Charlie Dalton
Mrs. Perry
Richard Cameron
Guiding Question: Compare and contrast…how does Welton Academy differ from most American high schools? What
are the four pillars upon which Welton Academy is founded? How do the students “personalize” these four pillars (their
own version of tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence)?
Thought to Consider: As a reminder, build your understanding of character motivations…for example, what does the
conversation in the dorm room between Mr. Perry and his son Neil tell us about each of them individually and their
relationship to each other? (I’m not going to ask many characterization guiding questions; I expect that you know to do
this!)
JOURNAL PROMPT #1 (it’s a challenge, but challenges make life fun!): It’s immediately apparent that John Keating is a
different kind of teacher when compared to most of his peers. Consider the first English class of the year in which Mr.
Keating references the poem “O Captain! My Captain” by Walt Whitman. Why does Keating encourage students—who
are feeling slightly more daring—to call him “Captain”? Which specific line/s from the poem help explain why Mr.
Keating says this to his students? Which line/s help explain Mr. Keating’s personality and motivation?
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up--for you the flag is flung--for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths--for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
JOURNAL PROMPT #2: Put the Pieces Together – Explain Mr. Keating’s purpose in connecting the excerpt (below) from
the poem “The Virgins, to Make Much of Time” and the Latin phrase “Carpe Diem.” Be certain to embed an explanation of
the poem in your response.
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.
Guiding Question: Why does Mr. Keating ask the boys to rip out pages of their textbook? What does Keating mean when
he says, “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the
human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering…these are noble
pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
Thought to Consider: Mr. Keating tries to make the case for the value of poetry…has he convinced you? Does poetry
offer something that other forms of literature do not? (Think carefully…are songs and poems really so very different?)
JOURNAL PROMPT #3: Personal Response (We don’t do this often, so take full advantage; please answer honestly and
authentically). Mr. Keating recites an excerpt of the Whitman poem (below). Answer his question…what will your verse
be? Think in terms of all of discussions and exploration focused on personal choice.
O ME O life!...of the questions of these recurring:
Of the endless trains of the faithless-- of cities fill'd with the foolish;....
______________
Questions from Otte__________________
What good amid these,
O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here-- that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.
Thought to Consider: What does it mean to be a “free thinker,” a “cynic,” and a “realist”? Their Welton Academy
education helps the boys become which of these? Even more importantly, what are you? (If you have to pause to look
up definitions, grab your phone or a dictionary and do so!!)
Guiding Question: How might standing on desk help Mr. Keating see the world in a different way? Why does he, in this
same scene, recite Thoreau’s quote that “most men lead lives of quiet desperation”? What is his point?
Thought to Consider: We see many scenes set in the outdoors; we also see many scenes involving sport (rowing,
fencing, soccer). Mr. Keating combines athletics (soccer) with academics (English) and music. Why?
Guiding Question: Which characters are embracing Keating’s lessons? Which are hesitating or rejecting his lessons? How
do different characters SHOW their response to Keating’s teachings?
Thought to Consider: Todd Anderson represents the middle ground in this story. He is hesitant to act, but he wants to
be a part of this freedom movement. How does his poem (below) reflect his back and forth, indecisive struggle?
“A sweaty-toothed madman with a stare that pounds my brain.
His hands reach out to choke me.
And all the time he’s mumbling.
Truth. Truth, like a blanket that always leaves your feet cold.
You push it, stretch it, it’ll never be enough.
You kick at it, beat it, it’ll never cover any of us.
From the moment we enter crying to the moment we leave dying,
it’ll just cover your face as you wail and cry and scream.”
Theme Check: How has the film built up the idea of personal choice and individuality?
Guiding Question: The Dead Poet’s seem like a strange, goofy group of kids. What, exactly, is this group giving to these
students? What is the point of their meetings?
JOURNAL PROMPT #4: Recognizing Key Pieces – Explain how Knox and Neil have embraced Keating’s teaching in their
own unique ways…evaluate their choices.
Guiding Question: Charlie Dalton (a.k.a. Nwanda) represents the extreme—not only does he fully embrace freedom, he
pushes it too far. How do Todd and Charlie “balance” the film? Where do Knox, Neil, and the other guys fit?
Thought to Consider: Why does the Welton Academy administration find the Dead Poets Society threatening?
Guiding Question: Evaluate the relationships between parents and their children in this film. Which relationships work?
Are health? Why??? Which relationships do not work?
Theme Check: The tone of the film changes, at times, from a light-hearted exploration of freedom and choices, to a
serious and depressing “choicelessness.” Why?
Film Check (otherwise known as appreciating the art of film making): Analyze the use of camera angle (remember
power position), shadows, and music in the scene set at the Perry house. Beyond the basics of the plot, how is the
director communicating the gravity of this situation to us?
JOURNAL PROMPT #5: Evaluation – Who is responsible for what happens to Neil? Why? Be clear and complete in your
explanation using evidence from the film to support your answer.
JOURNAL PROMPT #6: Personal Choices – Select any major character from the film; explain how this character’s series of
choices led to specific consequences. In retrospect, evaluate whether these choices were good or bad for this character.
Thought to Reconsider: Now that you’ve viewed the film, let’s revisit the Apple IPad Air Commercial…shameless
commercialism or meaningful message???