1. Dead Poets Society
Quote Analysis

2. Reflect:
In the initial screenplay, Todd specifically does not sign the paper at the end. In the movie, we are not told one way or the other. Did Todd sign it or not? What do you think?
What happens next? What does the future hold for Keating?
What does the future hold for the boys?

3. Character
Character’s Personality (2 adjectives)
Other Character Traits and Roles (purposes each character fulfills in the movie)
Neil Perry
Todd Anderson
Knox Overstreet
Charlie Dalton (Nwanda)
Steven Meeks
Gerard Pitts
Richard Cameron
Mr. Keating
Mr. Perry
Mr. Nolan

4. Thematic Ideas in Dead Poets Society
Where do you see these play out in the film?
Provide 3 examples from the film for each thematic idea.
Feelings of alienation
Dealing with increased feelings of independence and rebellion
Academic pressure
Influence of role models
Thinking independently

5. The Four Pillars of Welton Academy
Tradition
Honor
Discipline
Excellence
Q: What do these pillars tell you about the school and its philosophies?

6. Directions
In a group of four, discuss the various slides. Each person must take notes on the group’s discussion and be prepared to share some of your thoughts in a large group discussion tomorrow. You will have 4-5 minutes to discuss each slide. Be sure to keep your conversation focused during this time.

7. Quote Analysis What is the context of the quote? Who is saying it?
To whom is it said?
Meaning/Analysis of the quote: (what are the boys or anyone else supposed to get out of this quote?)

8. Discuss the significance of this quote:
We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”

9. Discuss the significance of this quote:
I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things a different way. The world looks very different up here... Just when you think you think you know something you have to look at it in another way... When you read, don’t just consider what the author thinks, you must consider what you think.

10. Connect these quotes to the ideas in the film:
Show me the heart unfettered by foolish dreams And I’ll show you a happy man. —Tennyson
But only in their dreams can men be truly free. ‘Twas always thus, and always thus will be. —Keating

11. Connect this quote to the ideas in the film:
I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, To put to rout all that was not life and not when I had come to die discover that I had not lived. —Thoreau

12. Connect this quote to the ideas in the film:
Most men live lives of quiet desperation. —Thoreau

13. Connect this quote to the ideas in the film:
I sound my barbaric YAWP over the rooftops of the world. —Whitman

14. Connect this quote to the ideas in the film:
...Two roads diverged in a wood And I, I took the one less traveled by And that has made all the difference. —Frost

15. Connect this quote to the ideas in the film:
O Me! O Life! O Me! O life!...of the questions of these recurring: Of the endless trains of the faithless— of cities fill’d with the foolish;.... What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer. That you are here— that life exists, and identity; That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse. —Walt Whitman