Dead Poets’ Society-Analysis questions (II)

1. Describe the setting (time and place) in detail.

The setting is the Welton College located in the year 1959. The film centers around the
high school dormitories, the outside of the school itself in the woods and around some
locations such as houses, parties, and public schools of the small town of Vermont.

2. Discuss the meaning of how John Keating introduces himself to the class.
Compared to all the traditional teachers who give reading on the first day, John
Keating unusually and surprisingly has his students to tear out the introductory pages
of their poetry book. Breaking with the tradition, Keating takes the teens into the room
that holds the memories of school history. As they look at the pics John Keating
whispers “Carpe Diem” (Seize the day) telling the students that they must learn to
think for themselves, actually he makes them realize that they are “food for worms”.
Thus begins an educational and mental changing journey meant to inspire the boys.

3.
a) What Latin phrase captures part of the theme of this movie?
“Carpe Diem”- Seize the day.
b) How does this phrase change each of the characters?
Each of the boys becomes more precise and aware of every action they take or don’t
take on a daily routine. They realize that every action has an instant reaction and starts
to be very influential in their life, so in this mentality they realize to take advantage of
everything that comes into their life, whether it takes courage or not because YOLO
(you only live once). At the same their attitude changes radically as they question the
decisions of their parents which in many cases causes problems at school, becoming or
misunderstanding in many cases the idea of “Carpe Diem” rather as living as if it were
the last time.

4.
a) What is the meaning of YAWP?
Barbaric loud cry or yell.
b) Who is most affected by it?
Todd Anderson.

5. Discuss the conflict between conformity and individuality in the movie

especially the struggles the main characters and John Keating undergo.
Conformity:
The school taught the boys to follow, think and speak in a very particular way and with
many rules, they conformed to follow the same position to follow the same position by
following the rules for fear of consequences and failure.
Ex. In the patio scene the boys are asked by Mr. Keating to “find their own walk, their
own way of striding, pacing at any direction” demonstrating conformity. Charlie Dalton
in contrast decides not to participate in the activity and chooses to stand watching the
exercise from a somehow compliant and very mediocre position.

Individuality:
With the idea of “Carpe Diem” many boys start to leave conformity and mediocrity
aside, starting to think and want what they want in their life regardless of the rules,
their parents or what they will say.
Ex. Neil Perry conforms to his father and throughout the movie he listens and does
whatever his father says. He has the desire to become an actor and when his father
finds out he joined the play, he becomes very angry with Neil and demands he quit.
Neil regardless his father and everything does the play anyways, leaving his conformity
and mediocrity aside and finding his individuality.

6. What is the Dead Poets’ Society what does it represent?

Dead Poet’s Society was a club in Mr. Keating’s time, where the boys would meet in
the late hours to read and discuss poetry no matter what. The Dead Poets were
dedicated to “sucking the marrow out of life”, it represents freedom and individuality
where they seek to thing for themselves critically and poetically to find their own way
and what they desire so much.

7. Here are several key phrases from the movie. Discuss their meaning.
a) “We are food for worms”
We are all mortals; we will all die one day.
b) “The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse”
Life is a play where anyone can contribute to society and is valid.
c) “Only in their dreams can men be truly free. T’was always thus and always thus
shall be”
Thinking of a perfect life is utopic, yet goals and dreams give you an inspiration
to go on and achieve everything, because no one else will do it for you.
d) “I want you to find your own way to walk”
Take the whole of the situation and make things happen, because no one else
will do it for you.
e) “Sucking the marrow out of life does not mean choking the bone”
Even if you live your life to the fullest, it does not mean you should behave
regardless and without thinking about tomorrow, find a balance, nothing to the
extreme is good.
f) “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may”
Take advantage of life while you can, live to the fullest every day.
g) “Make your lives extraordinary”
Live each day to the fullest and get the life you dream of nothing is impossible
but it’s your responsibility to do it.
h) “O Captain. My Captain”
Even if you’re lost remember, it’s not wrong to ask for help, it makes you wiser
to learn from a wise guide in your decisions, two heads are better than one.

8. This movie does not answer any questions. It provides choices. Comment on
this.
I think it represents the lives of different people who struggle who they are and
express this. Mr. Keating teaches his students to learn to think for themselves and
make choices rather than the school or their parents telling them. The movie teaches
and gives us opportunities to get out of conformity, to think critically and look for
personal good, it gives us the opportunity to find ourselves again with our life and with
what we want, not with what we are shaped to be in society or in our family’s eyes.
Let’s not forget that we have the opportunity and it’s presented to us daily. Our life is
what we make of it.