Friday

1) The most influential leader I have had so far is my dad. He's accomplished so much in his life and I really respect and wish to be like him one day. He's taught be everything I know and he always handles situations in the best possible way.

2) I think Keating is saying that poetry isn't just for fun, even though we have jobs and places to be everyday he's saying that poetry is full of passion and is something to actually live for. I agree in the sense that I think some people need poetry and other art forms to feel happy and alive. I like reading poetry because it's something that sticks in my mind.

3) I agree with Keating's statement because life is all about perspective. Looking at situations from a different point of view can make all the difference.

4) I don't know if I will have a "verse" but the impression I would like to leave on people is to be carefree and fun. I'm only serious when I need to be, the other times I like to laugh and have fun in my life and make those around me have better days with me.

Thursday

1) I think Neil Perry would still have committed suicide even if Mr. Keating had not come into his life. Suicide is usually never a last minute decision in my opinion. Therefore, Neil would have probably still killed himself later in his life because this thought was most likely in the back of his mind for a while.
2) I think the bravest of the boys was Neil. He made the most changes in his life even though his decision of suicide ended it all. Before that though, he organized the Dead Poets Society, he joined a play, he encouraged his friends, and he stood up for himself. Richard Cameron was the most cowardly of the boys. He was never really into the Dead Poets Society and he joined because he most likely felt he had too. He was the first to state Mr. Keating was at fault for Neil's death and he never embraced carpe diem.
3) It is suggests that Keating did put the poetry book in Neil's room. Of course he had to say the administration would frown upon it because just because they would doesn't mean Keating did himself. He clearly was all for bending the rules, since that's all he did when he was their age.

Seize the Day

Wednesday

The central theme of Dead Poets Society is to seize the day. Throughout the film we see that each character struggles with this. They have all been living sheltered and uneventful lives which is why when Mr. Keating introduces a different way of life, the boys are intrigued. For example, Neil Perry was one of the first to jump on the Dead Poets Society group. He organizes it and encourages his friends to join as well. He also takes his life into his own hands by sticking up to his father, who was ultimately trying to plan his life for him. All throughout the movie the boys say Carpe Diem whenever they are taking risks they wouldn't have taken before Mr. Keating. Each boy has their own problems of being insecure, quiet, and or not wanting to stray from the path their families and staff at Welton have set forth. However, this message of seizing the day sticks in their minds and shows the audience how much happier the boys were once they stood up for themselves in various ways.

Follow Up Character Questions

1) In my opinion I think that Neil transformed the most throughout the film. At first he was very submissive to his dad and even though he had other dreams, he kept them quiet. However, after learning about Carpe Diem and the Dead Poets Society Neil took a stand. He took part in a play, and he wasn't afraid to speak his mind. 

2) The first static character I can think of is Richard Cameron. He never really embraced Carpe Diem, he stuck to the rules and avoided trouble at all costs. He also was the first to say that Neil's death was Keating's fault. Another example of a static character is Keating. His thoughts on seizing the day and wanting the boys to think for themselves never changes. Even though he may have helped change some of his students, he himself never changed.

3) Mr Keating is as stated before a static character. He came into the school with a different teaching method and outlook on life, which never changed. Even after all the heartache with Neil, it is implied that he still believes in Carpe Diem. 

4)

 - Todd Anderson came into Welton as a quiet and unknown character. He struggled with standing up for himself, and the judgement of others. However, with the Dead Poets Society and Mr. Keating's teaching methods he learns to embrace not only himself but the people around him. 

- Neil Perry allowed his father to plan his life by bottling his dreams. Then, he learns to stick up for himself and profess his love of acting to his dad. 

- Knox Overstreet was a more reserved and lonely boy. Throughout the film he takes charge of his fear of standing out, and goes after the girl he falls for named Chris. Eventually his new found freedom helps him win the girl.

- Charlie Dalton (Nwanda) started out already being rebellious and reckless. He then takes Mr. Keating's idealism's to an a new level, causing trouble in school. However, in the end he does one good thing which was being expelled for refusing to sign the document which falsely accused Keating of being responsible for Neil's death. 

Mona Lisa Smile Discussion Questions

1) A woman's role in the 1950's were completely different to Ms. Watson's view. Women in this time period were expected to be a wife and mother, and nothing else. Expectations for women were things such as having dinner on the table by 5:30 pm, and being there to cater to their husband's every need. Women were not expected to have their own career. Katherine Watson however, felt the complete opposite. She was not married, even though she was in her late twenties. She was looked upon by others as an outcast for this, even though it was entirely her choice. Just that it was against societies norm, made her stand out. She also wanted to teach her student's that even though they were women they could do whatever they dreamed of. She understood not all women only wanted to be married and have kids, some wanted a career of their own.

3) In the movie, Betty had such an outrageous reaction to Joan's application to Yale because it was against everything society had taught her. The fact that her friend even considered straying from the path the world said was her destiny, as a woman, scared Betty. Betty had only been taught by her controlling mother that there was no other job for a woman than a wife and mother. If i had been in Betty's place, I would not have reacted in the same way. Even if i had felt similar to Betty, as a friend I would have supported Joan if it was really what she wanted. In my opinion, Betty seemed to react in a sort of manipulative and controlling way. She should have supported her friend, even if they had different views on the subject.