Monday, November 21, 2011

Dead Poets Society Final Essay

Dead Poets Society Final Essay

Choose one of the following themes from the movie below to comment on in an essay:

·      Feelings of Alienation:
o   Todd’s low self esteem; the issue of conformity and peer pressure; Todd’s following in his brother’s footsteps; the dilemma of feeling indebted to parents
·      Dealing with Increased Feelings of Independence and Rebellion:
o   Neil’s conflict with his father; Charlie’s illegal editorial; learning to spread one’s wings slowly
·      Academic Pressure:
o   Private schools as too competitive; preparatory schools as babysitters for the elite; dictatorship of school administrators; expectations from parents and administrators
·      Symbolism & Imagery:
o   Neil as a Christ figure (he dies so that other boys may truly live); boys as flocks of geese; the flashlight in the cave; Mr. Keating as scapegoat; Mr. Keating as Lincoln-figure (he “frees” the boys from a narrow minded way of thinking)
·      Influence of Role Models
o   Mr. Keating’s influence on the students; Neil’s father’s influence

Essay Requirements
-       Six Paragraphs (4 below plus introduction and conclusion)
-       Thesis (what your paper is going to be about/what you’re going to say)
-       Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation
-       Complete/thorough thoughts
    12 Point Times New Roman Font Double Spaced
    Title is optional

Body Paragraphs
In your paper, your body paragraphs should describe:

-       1st Paragraph: HOW the theme you chose to talk about is portrayed in the film (you may utilize examples above)

-       2nd Paragraph: HOW the theme relates to your life: did you learn anything new about these things? Do you have an opinion on the theme? Do you have a personal story or perspective to relate?

-       3rd Paragraph: HOW this movie helped you to think differently – about poetry, teaching, school, alienation, peers, etc.

-       4th Paragraph: WHICH piece of poetry used in the film did you like best and why? Why did it stand out to you? (See attached list)

Poetry from Dead Poets Society










Students: Complete this assignment with integrity and devotion!

I look forward to reading your final essays!

Carpe Diem!

27 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. is this going to be read to the class

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  3. I think the first poem picture was a little innapropriate.

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  4. I like the very last poem. It was very good

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  5. i loved o captin o captin

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  6. ooooooooooo piece of candy

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  7. O me O life O me O life man that poem is awesome well as awesome as its going to get being a peom

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  8. i don't think the first poem had a un iproret picture i thought it set the mood for the poem

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  9. i liked the second poem

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  10. i like the first poems picture it makes me happy

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  11. lol who said this i still think it was inapropriate

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  12. I liked all the poems except the first poems picture but i liked the poem

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  13. i still like the picture

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  14. who said they liked that song

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  15. Do we have to read these in front of the class?

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  16. why did it talk about oprah winfery at the very bottom of the page

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  17. lol oprah is my idol

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  18. it felt good on your her lips

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  19. it felt good on your her lips

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  20. The prophet sounds mysterious


    POST!

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  21. be an role model! being a role model helps you get friends

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  22. Shane was the person that said it was my birthday...duh.

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  23. How many pages does this have to be?

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