Hansen: Media Arts- Dead Poets Final. Due 6-3 Eight Questions Total. ( Day 1 and Day 2 Questions. See Pages 3 & 4

Read Summary Below.

Investigate links. ( Warning. Spoiler Alert.

Plots and ending are given away in the links )

Dead Poets Society Movie Summary  Dead Poets Society explores the conflict between realism and romanticism as these contrasting ideals are presented to the students at an all boys preparatory school. Welton Academy is founded on tradition and excellence and is bent on providing strict structured lessons prescribed by the realist, anti-youth administration. With the dawning of each new semester, hundreds of parents abandon their sons, leaving them in hopes that they will raise doctors and lawyers. When a replacement English teacher arrives, he brings with him a passion for teaching romanticism, thus opening a never-before-seen world to his students. The story is predominantly viewed through the eyes of Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke), a newcomer to Welton, and his roommate Neil Perry . Todd is painfully shy and terrified that what he might say is insignificant and meaningless. This is particularly disturbing to him since he is repeatedly told that he has “big shoes to fill” being the younger brother of a former valedictorian. Neil, on the other hand, is bright and full of ambition, which is unfortunately squelched by his overbearing, controlling father. Mr. Perry dictates every detail of his son’s life including extra curricular activities, future plans, and specifically what others think of him. The new English teacher John Keating (Robin Williams) begins his teachings with a fervent lecture on their imminent deaths, explaining to the students that their lives are fleeting so they should seize the day to make their lives count, to leave a legacy of “carpe diem.” He teaches them the works of the romantic poets such as Thoreau and Lord Byron. _________________________________________

Page 2 of 2 ( Dead Poets Final – Discussion Continued… )

Conflict

Between

Dead

Poets

Society

Characters:

Dead Poets Society is about the struggle that takes place between the two extremes, ( Realism and Romanticism ) how each character deals with it. Neil, Nwanda, and Knox all go overboard into extreme romanticism, while Cameron adamantly stays on the side of realism. Todd is the only one who finds a middle ground between the two.

Romanticism * romance !having no basis in fact : IMAGINARY * impractical in conception or plan : VISIONARY * imaginative or emotional, adventurous,!remote, mysterious, or idealized

Realism * Realism rejects imaginative idealization In! favor of a close observation of outward appearances. * Realism has an emphasis on detachment, objectivity, and! accurate observation,

Characters in Dead Poets Society John Keating As A Romantic http://www.antiromantic.com/john-keating Todd Anderson http://www.antiromantic.com/todd-anderson Neil Perry http://www.antiromantic.com/neil-perry Charles Dalton aka Nwanda http://www.antiromantic.com/charles-dalton Knox Overstreet http://www.antiromantic.com/knox-overstreet

Page 3 of 3 ( Dead Poets Final )

PART 1 ( Day 1 Questions )

Hansen, Final Exam Questions. Due June 3rd. Answer the Four Questions Below. Dead Poets Society – Part 1 ( Day 1 ) Vocabulary Words To Know. ( No Need To Define ) pillar: a column that supports the roof of a building tradition: consistently in a society. Done the same way. Honor: respect from society Discipline: self-control Excellence: the best possible Ivy League: 8 universities considered the best in the USA Carpe Diem: (latin) Seize the Day invincible: cannot be conquered, cannot be destroyed Legacy: inheritance, what someone leaves behind that is valuable Questions: 1. What are the "Four Pillars" talked about in this movie. "Tradition, Honor, Discipline, Excellence." 2.

What would your "Four Pillars" be if you were designing a school?

3.

Describe an experience or teacher who changed your life.

4.

Name Two key “Values” this movie focused on and why were they important. Example: Tradition. Keeping things the same is safe. Or, “Carpe Diem” and living with passion and uncertainty.

     

Page 4 of 4 ( Day 2 Questions ) Answer the Four Questions Below Define: 1.)Romanticism ( When was it. What is it? What happened to make it go away? How is it evident in today’s society? )

Define: 2.)Realism (How is it defined? lives?)

How is it represented in today’s Society, or your own

Define: 3.)Traditionalist (Are traditionalist values good for today’s society? If so, why. How do they help? ( If you feel they do not help, then why. Why are we better “without “Traditionalist Values?)

4.) YOUR CRITIQUE OF DPS In One paragraph, sum up why you liked, or disliked the movie. Be specific as to why, or why not. Will it help change you in your own “coming of age” story? OTHER Fervent, Henry David Thoreau, Impractical, Predominant, Ivy League, Carpe Diem, Insouciant. END – Happy Summer