Final worksheet

Final worksheet

Read chapters 10-15

Discuss the final chapters of the book in your study Group:

1.      Discuss possible theme/s

There are some general themes through the book. We evaluated ‘’seize the day’’ as the main theme. Mr. Keating said from the beginning of the book that the boys should seize the day, which means taking one day at a time and Keating is also a spokesman for living to the fullest. Keating also explains that they should work hard for the things they want and do everything with passion.

Difference, progress, pressure, friendship and acceptance: Keating teaches the boys to be completely themselves in all circumstances; they must find creativity and individuality in everything they do in life. The boys are very different from each other, however they get along very well – we think it is because of acceptance: acceptance for each other and each other’s differences. In a way they are very similar, they have the same expectations for them, however not in same degree, some of the parents are stricter than others, but they are expected to be the best of the best. They are all very pressured and their parents’ doesn’t really listen to what they want and what they say, and they sort of accept it. When Neil’s father demands Neil to quit the school paper, he goes directly in defense, however he quickly accepts it. A few other examples is in the beginning when Todd gives impression for not wanting to be there, his parents just drops him off and tells him to be like his brother and do his best, they don’t listen to his needs. However, Todd ends up being grateful being at Welton, he really grows along the way. When Neil wants to act, his father also pressures him to drop the acting, he takes over Neil’s life – and he accepts it until he doesn’t anymore and ends up killing himself,

We think it is because his father always controlled everything in Neil’s life without him being able to do anything about it and the only part where Neil feels he can take control is when he commits suicide.   

Love: Love is also a grand theme in the book, Knox falls head over heels in love with Chris Danbury, who’s dating Chet. He meets her when he has an appointment at the Danbury’s house, the Danbury’s are friends of Knox’ father. He thinks Chris is the most beautiful girl he has ever seen and is determined to get her attention the least. Throughout the book, Knox comes further and further, he visits her at her school and reads out a poem he wrote himself and gives her flowers. However, she is so embarrassed, mainly because she has a boyfriend, and earlier in the book Knox hit on Chris at a party she invited him to, and Chet told him that he would kill her if he ever came close to his girlfriend, Chris again. Therefore, Chris is afraid that Chet will do something to Knox and she thinks he is too daring for coming to her school delivering flowers and a poem. Later on, Chris comes to Welton to explain to Knox that he should not contact her like that, and Knox answers that he loves her and that he will not let her go and that Chris would not be there, if she did not care for him. Knox declares that he will let her go and never contact her again, if she goes to the theatre with him to see Neil’s play and doesn’t like him and Chris says okay and ends up going with Knox.

2. The Dead Poets’ Society

a) What is “The Dead Poets’ Society” and what does it represent

Dead poets’ society is a secret club where the boys read poetry out loud for each other at night in the old Indian cave. They got the idea from Mr. Keating who also did the same thing, when he went to Welton some decades ago. We think ‘’dead poets society’’ represents freedom and community.

Freedom because they have so many strict rules set up for them and this is the only freedom they have, and they are not even allowed to have it. That cave is really a symbol for freedom because they can do whatever they want there without anyone demanding anything.

Community because this is a thing the boys do in solidarity and together always, this shows friendship.

b) What did the name mean? (Dead poets' society)

In the old Indian cave, the boys read out poetry from old dead poets, so that is what the name means and stands for.

3.      Discuss the battle between conformity and individuality for the main characters, as well as for John Keating.

Both conformity and individuality is seen in this book, a lot. As said earlier, the boys do a lot in togetherness, both schoolwork and things the school commands, but also their ‘’dead poets society’’ club. The conformity things could be being able to say the four pillars; they mostly do the things they are told, both from their parents and from the school. The boys individually also achieve and experience a lot on their own, Anderson learns to speak up along the way, and be his own person and not who everyone is telling him to be. Knox falls in love with Chris and does a lot to get Chris to like him back. Dalton is very daring throughout the entire book and he changes his name to ‘’Nuwanda’’. Neil attends a play with no permission but is a huge success, but ends up taking a drastic and very individual move in the end, when he kills himself from the overload of pressure he has had his whole life. The characters are very different; Nolan for example radiates conformity while Keating radiates individuality.

4.      This book/story does not answer any questions. It provides choices: Comment on this.

We think that the boys are put through many things through the book, they always ask for permission (except with dead poets society) either from their parents, the school system or both, and they always get an answer, but their reaction to the answer always provides a choice: whether to choose conformity or individuality. If they always do what they are told, they do not learn to think for themselves, so throughout the book the boys experience individuality with guidance from Mr. Keating, who learns the boys that life is what you make it.

5. Here are several key phrases from the book. Discuss their meaning.

We are food for worms: It means that we are all living creatures who will all die someday.

The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse: ‘’The powerful play’’ is a metaphor for modern society, and it means that everyone can contribute to our society even though it may only be with ‘a verse’.

Only in their dreams can men truly be free. T’was always thus and always thus shall be: This means that only in your dreams you will not have any rules, however when your find your passion it should let you be free and let your explore that there are no limits in life.

I want you to find your own way to walk: This means that you should not follow the path everyone is following, you have to create your own and walk that way.

Sucking the marrow out of life does not mean choking on the bone: Even if you live your life to the fullest does not mean you should go overboard or behave irresponsible.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may: Take advantage of the possibilities you have.

Make your lives extraordinary: This means that you should do everything you can to make your life extraordinary.

O Captain My Captain: It stands for leader.

“So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys - to woo women - and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays.”

6. Without using the word very, how can you say:

Very afraid - frightened, fearful, timid, apprehensive

Very angry - heated, resentful, furious, enraged, outraged

Very old - elderly, mature, senior

Very tasty - appetizing, yummy, savory, delectable, divine,

Very large - grand, huge, gigantic, giant, generous, enormous

Find at least 3 more of your own choice.

Very sad - heartbroken, dismal, hurting, sorrowful

Very happy - joyous, cheerful, thrilled, glad, pleased, delighted, contented

Very beautiful - charming, good-looking, elegant, cute, exquisite, pretty, handsome