And the Dead Poet’s Society
Freudian Theory

 Step 1: Explore the various "levels of the mind" as they relate to characters
or mass psychology in the literature. Freud separated the mind's force into
a trinity: id (instinct of character), ego (realistic part of the character) and
superego (moralizing part of the character). The way characters use these
three mental powers to navigate life's events is central to a Freudian
analysis.
 Step 2: Look at the "mental energy" of a character, in other words, the
motivation of the character. Freud used the word "libido" in a general sense
to illustrate use of mental energy. We tend to use libido and it's inherent
"mojo" as a sexual references, but that's not the only application of the term.
 Step 3: Look at the way characters handle or express repression. Repression
is a theme in Freudian work as a necessary aspect of psychology mediating
action.
 Step 4: Examine psychic conflicts in the literature. If a character grapples
with himself it can represent a conflict between two "Freudian entities" and
can be analyzed as such. (look at internal conflicts and the reasoning
behind them)
Marxist Theory

 Step 1: Approach the text with an eye for how the characters interact. Marxist thought
relies on relationships between individuals, and even those aspects of relationships that
are 'social' can be part of a Marxist critique.
 Step 2: Evaluate the vocational roles of all characters. The Marxist critique includes a
focus on a "class system" where the vocations of characters provide the most direct
reference to their place within this system. Look at the level of luxury that each
individual has and how much they have to work.
 Step 3: Look at how characters use their free time. Part of the Marxist critique is based
on the argument that individuals can use free time productively. Examining the free
choices of individuals is actually a large part of Marxist literary criticism.
 Step 4: Assess the role of government in the piece of literature. Is it draconian? Laissezfaire? Marxist thought relies on government as a model for liberty and also for
communalism: look at the tools that government uses. Does the government, in
soliciting citizenship, appeal to the capitalist tendencies of individuals or to their innate
love of community? (if the governmental role is not stated, consider what rule they
would have been under. For example, the American West during this time was
practically under no governmental control at all. What did this lead to? Etc.)
Feminist Theory

 Step 1: Consider the roles and situations of female characters (or lack thereof).
Make lists of different aspects of the female character's place in the overall
story. Include anecdotal scenarios that will back up a holistic thesis.
 Step 2: Look at the relationship of female characters to each other. Examine
any discrepancies that might shed light on the overall role of females in the
book.
 Step 3: Review the role of female characters in relation to their male
counterparts. Literary criticism has its famous set of contrasts, for example,
man vs. nature, nature vs. society, that set up points of inquiry. In this case,
your fundamental contrast would be woman vs. man.
 Step 4: Look at the vocational roles of women in the literature. Much of literary
criticism can be applied to the workplace. Studying the work that each
character does provides a great starting point for analyzing the whole of the
work.
 Step 5: Consider the attitudes of characters and how their world-views
contribute to the eventual outcomes in the story. The goals of characters may
or may not cause outcomes. Evaluate how "powerful" each character becomes.
Formalist Theory

 understanding a story written exactly as it is presented within narrative
conventions. Examine relationship b/t form and meaning in a work








Metaphor
Plot
Setting
Characterization
Symbolism
Diction
Irony
Paradox
 Formalist critics read literature as an independent piece of work or art
object and so do not place any kind of importance on the author or the
time it was written in.
 Anything outside of the work is ignored (not examined or given
attention to).
Archetypal Theory

 Archetypes determine the form and function of literary works, that a
text's meaning is shaped by cultural and psychological myths.




recurring images, symbols, or patterns
the quest or the heavenly ascent,
recognizable character types such as the trickster or the hero,
symbols such as the apple or snake, or images such as crucifixion
 Archetypal criticism gets its impetus from psychologist Carl Jung, who
postulated that humankind has a "collective unconscious," a kind of
universal psyche, which is manifested in dreams and myths and which
harbors themes and images that we all inherit. Literature, therefore,
imitates not the world but rather the "total dream of humankind."
 Archetypal images and story patterns encourage readers (and viewers
of films and advertisements) to participate ritualistically in basic beliefs,
fears, and anxieties of their age.
 These archetypal features not only constitute the intelligibility of the
text but also tap into a level of desires and anxieties of humankind.
Questions

 Write ONE question for each of the theories that
might help you to analyze The Dead Poet’s Society on
a more critical level.
 Example: Historical Theory
 The 1950s mark a time of McCarthyism and
Communist witch hunts in Congress—how does the
conformity encouraged within the school reflect the
terror of the time period?
Group Work

 Compare your questions
 Decide on a theory to work with based on the 2 best
questions that you have as a group.
 Write this theory in box 2
Group Work

 In box 3 write the first question that your group
picked.
 Together come up with a basic answer and a least
two examples from the movie that help to support
your answer
Group Work

 In box 4 write the second question that your group
picked.
 Together come up with a basic answer and a least
two examples from the movie that help to support
your answer
Or does history reflect literature?
Group work

 In box 5 answer the question with your group..
 Does literature reflect history or does history reflect
literature?
 Explain your response.
History and Literature

 Literature reflects
history
 List which theories
support this answer
 Explain
 History reflects
literature
 List which theories
support this answer
 Explain
Considering…

 The Dead Poet’s Society was…
 produced in the 1990s
 set in the 1950s
 about the philosophies of the 1890s
 Does the movie reflect history, or is history reflected
in the movie?
 Explain your response.