Dead Poets Society Tasks

1) Identify as many poets and poems during the course of

the movie as you can. (There may be some that are
recited without any author or title feel free to write
down a line or phrase to identify it.)

2) What is the meaning of Carpe Diem? What language

does it come from? In your opinion how would one live
their life according to this philosophy?

3) What is nonconformity? Identify examples from the

film. (Hint: Don’t focus only on rebelling against adult
authority there are other groups who want us to
conform.)

4) What are some risks to nonconforming behaviour? Why

would people choose to accept those risks?

5) What do the words honour, integrity and independence

mean in the context of this film? What do they mean to
you?
 6) List examples of rhyme, rhythm or sound techniques
(including music) that you notice in the delivery of
poems in the film.

7) List or create a chart of ways in which the students

conform and do not conform to the expectations of
school and parent authority.

8) Whitman’s poem “O Captain, My Captain” was written

about President Abraham Lincoln soon after his
assassination. Why does the film make this comparison
between Keating and Lincoln?

These questions are not necessarily in order for the

running of the film nor do they apply to a single part
of the movie; they are meant to be answered as you
watch and pay attention. Treat as journal or log
entries and add thoughts as they occur to you. Do not
feel confined to fit all your answers on this handout;
use your own paper to create charts where applicable
and expand on your original ideas.