WRITER'S WORKSHOP 1-2
Ms. LeCren, La Jolla High School Name:________________________________________
Period:____ Date:______________________________
Dead Poets Society: Part II
Reflection Questions:
5. Welton Academy is an all-boys boarding school, a preparatory
school for students who want to go to the most prestigious
universities. Mr. Keating attended Welton, graduated, and went on
to earn an English degree and become a teacher. He is a product
of the system. And yet he seems to think that Neil, Todd, and the
rest of his students need a different education than the one he himself experienced. What do you think?
What are the good points and bad points of going to a high school like Welton (or La Jolla)?
6. In several scenes in this film, the characters take action that could be considered rebellious, outside of
the box, creative, etc. Pick at least three different characters and explain an action they take. Here is an
example of one of them (you can use Knox as one of your three choices, if you describe what happens as
a result of his action.)
During study hall...the script continues:
Knox jumps up.
KNOX
I can’t take it anymore. If I don’t have
Chris, I’m gonna kill myself.
CHARLIE
Knoxious, you’ve gotta calm down.
KNOX
No, Charlie. That’s just my problem.
I’ve been calm all my life. I’ll do
something about that.
NEIL
Where are you going?
CHARLIE
What are you gonna do?
KNOX
I’m gonna call her.
Use the back if you need more room.
7. SPOILER ALERT: In the next part of the movie, Neil is going to take an action that cannot be taken
back. He obviously has serious issues with his domineering father. Other pieces of literature also
feature adolescent characters who take desperate actions in order to avoid dealing with strong-willed
parents (Romeo and Juliet). Before you see what Neil is going to do, make a list of the actions he
could take in order to defy his father and pursue his own passions:
8. Neil performs the role of Puck, also called Robin Goodfellow, in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s
Night’s Dream. Puck is one of the fairy folk. In the final speech of the play, Puck addresses the
audience on behalf of all the fairies, hoping that the audience appreciated the play. Take a look at the
speech below. When Neil gives this speech, his father is standing at the back of the theater. Which of
these lines could be addressed directly to his dad? Highlight them, and explain the double meaning
that occurs:
PUCK
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to ‘scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.