Name:______

Period:______

DEAD POETS SOCIETY STUDY GUIDE

  1. What are the “four pillars” of Welton Academy?
  2. When and where does the story take place?
  3. What is the boys’ derogatory nickname for Welton?
  4. What school activity does Neil’s father want him to drop?
  5. In which region of the United States does the story take place?
  6. What does “Carpe diem” mean?
  7. The line “O Captain, my captain” comes from a poem by which poet?
  8. What does Keating call the class textbook?
  9. Why does Knox have to go to dinner at the Danburys?
  10. What “science experiment” are Meeks and Pitts trying to concoct?
  11. According to Mr. Keating, the Dead Poets wanted to “suck the _____ out of life.”
  12. What anthology do the boys read from at each meeting?
  13. Which author wrote: “I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately”?
  14. The phrase “barbaric yawp” is attributed to which poet?
  15. At the second DPS meeting, where does Cameron seat himself? Why is this significant?
  16. Keating’s chant during the boys’ synchronized walk in the courtyard is “I don’t know but I’ve been told/ Two and four and three is four.” Why is this significant?
  17. How did Charlie get his editorial in the school paper?
  18. Define how each of the following characters adopt the philosophy of “Carpe Diem.”
  1. Todd
  2. Neil
  3. Knox
  4. Charlie Dalton
  1. Why do you think Neil doesn’t tell his father the truth about his passion for acting?
  2. Name one redeeming quality of Cameron (“the fink”).
  3. Neil plays the role of Puck in the play. What similarities can you find between his character and the character he plays onstage?
  4. “If we shadows have offended/Think but this and all is mended./That you have but slumbered here/While these visions did appear./ Gentles do not reprehend/For if you pardon, we will mend.” How do these lines from Puck symbolize what Neil might say to his father?
  5. What is the significance of Neil’s mother saying to Neil: “Go on, get some sleep”?
  6. “You can’t save Keating, but you can save yourselves,” says Cameron. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

CHARACTER MATCHING

Match the letter with the correct character.

  1. Charlie Daltona. Latin teacher who calls Keating’s teaching methods

“misguided” and describes himself as a “Realist”

  1. Cameronb. says “Words and ideas can change the world”; has

girlfriend in London

  1. Mr. McAlisterc. writes two poems about a girl he loves
  2. Knoxd. designated as “the keeper of minutes” at the first DPS

meeting

  1. Mr. Keatinge. accuses Neil of “making a liar” out of him
  2. Todd Andersonf. plays a “role” in his life and onstage
  3. Neil Perryg. football player; son of Knox’s parents’ friends
  4. Chrish. Dalton’s roommate
  5. Mr. Perryi. the first to rip out the J. Evans Pritchard essay
  6. Chet Danburyj. arrives late for a play due to an “infuriating” admirer

PART THREE: Study Question (5-10 sentences)

1. Why does Keating have his students rip the introductory essay from their poetry textbook? Do you agree with Keating’s instructions?

PART FOUR: Hand-written Paragraph (10-20 sentences)

Would you have stood up on the desk? Why or why not? Cite 3specific examples/evidence from the film to support your answer.