Name _____________________________
Class ____________ Date ____________
DEAD POETS SOCIETY
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
DIRECTIONS: The following questions should be answered in paragraph form (3 to 5 sentences each).
Complete sentences should be used. You may use these sheets to take notes as you are watching the film Questions and answers should be typed when you hand the assignment in.
PROJECTS MUST BE HANDED IN ON THE DUE DATE!
1. “Carpe Diem” is a Latin term meaning “Seize the Day”. Explain what Mr. Keating is trying to teach his
students by directing them to live by this.
2. Mr. Keating quotes Walt Whitman with the following: “A powerful play goes on and you may contribute a
verse.” What is Mr. Keating trying to teach the boys through this quote?
3. How did the poetry book make it into Neil’s room? Did Mr. Keating put it there? And if so, why, after
telling the boys that the present administration would not look favorably on it, would he do that?
4. In the beginning, when recreating the Dead Poets Society, the boys head out to find the passion that Mr.
Keating describes. Do they find it? Do they continue to stay focused on the purpose of the Dead Poets
Society? Why or why not?
5. When Neil’s dad confronts him about the play what angers his dad the most?
6. Do you agree with the advice Mr. Keating gives Neil about his acting (When Neil goes to see Mr. Keating in
his office.)? If you were Mr. Keating, what advice would you have given Neil?
7. Why does Neil’s dad say, “Stay away from my son” to Mr. Keating?
8. When Neil’s dad is angry with him at home and says “Tell me what you feel.” Why doesn’t Neil respond?
9. Why do you think Neil commits suicide? Could he have found another way out of his predicament? If so,
what could he have done?
10. List three signs that someone may be contemplating suicide and three ways you may help him or her.
11. Do you feel that Mr. Keating is responsible for the death of Neil? Do you think Neil would still have
eventually committed suicide if Mr. Keating had never come into his life?
12. In what ways is your life at Westford Academy similar to the boys at Welton? In what ways is it different?
Did you like this movie? Why or why not?