Dead Poet’s Society- Film Guide



Returning to Romanticism

Reverberations of American Romanticism in the 20th Century

Dead Poet’s Society Writing Assignment:

How do the characters exemplify the main ideas of transcendentalism? Choose three characters. Support your answer with examples from the film and connect to the original transcendental concepts, authors, and texts read in class. Five Paragraph Essay Format.

Review the main ideas of transcendentalism:

• S

• I

• N

• S

• C

• N

Identify the characters as you watch the film:

• Mr. Nolan:

• Mr. Keating:

• Neil Perry:

• Todd Anderson:

• Knox Overstreet:

• Charlie Dalton:

• Steven Meeks:

• Gerard Pitts:

• Richard Cameron:

Visual/Auditory Comprehension

1. Where does the story take place?

2. Describe the relationship between Neil and his father. Consider how this is used as a method of characterization for both characters.

3. Describe the scene where the students begin reading their literature books with Mr. Keating. What is your reaction to this scene?

4. What was the “Dead Poet’s Society?” Based on what Mr. Keating says, how do you think the “current administration” feels about the society? What literary technique is being used here?

5. What does Neil find on his desk? What connection can you make to the inscription?

6. Why does Mr. Keating stand on his desk? What is he trying to teach the students?

7. What nickname do they have for Keating and why? What connection do you make to this scene?

8. Describe the scene in the courtyard. What do you learn from this scene? How does this apply to your life?

9. What is Neil’s father’s reaction to news of the play? What advice does Mr. Keating offer Neil in terms of the play?

10. What does Neil’s father say about the play after its conclusion? Who does he blame?

11. Who is the school “after” and why?

12. Describe the final scene and explain its significance.

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