Dead Poets Society
Todd Anderson, who is under pressure because he must live up to his older brothers reputation, arrives with the new semester at the Welton Academy for boys. This semester begins with a speech given by the Headmaster, who states the academys four pillars: Tradition, Honor, Discipline, and Excellence. Later, in his dorm, Neil Perry is ordered by his father to drop an extracurricular class in order to maintain good grades so the boy may become a doctor. Neil is under pressure from his fathers will. Also, his father tells Neil that Mrs. Perry wants him to become a doctor, which further worries the boy. During their first English class with their new teacher, Mr. Keating, he takes the boys out in the hallway and tells the boys they are powerful individuals, which no teacher in the academy would do. These two actions show his difference from the other teachers because no other teacher would commit the actions he does. Also, he tells the boys they may call him Oh Captain, my Captain, if they dare. These examples of Mr. Keatings teachings show the boys how to think for themselves. Mr. Keating then tells the boys Carpe Diem, which means seize the day. Also, the new English teacher has them rip the introduction out of a book, which is one of three ways that he demonstrates freedom of expression and non-conformity. Knox Overstreet is asked to attend a dinner party at the Danburry household. When he arrives, a beautiful girl answers the doorbell and intently captures his attention. Later, he learns that the girl, Chris, has boyfriend named Chet, but does not give up the hope of dating her. One day, Neil finds an old yearbook with Mr. Keating in it. After seeing that Mr. Keating listed Dead Poets Society as one of his activities, the boys ask Mr. Keating what this was. He replies that the DPS was dedicated to taking the meaning out of life. To do so, the members would sit in a cave near a certain pond and recite poetry. With this new idea in their head from asking Mr. Keating...
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