Mathilde
Maria
Tanja
and Camilla Anne
Kristina
Jens
Trine
and Sacha Gitte
and Britt Lars
Nadia
and Lauren Jannie
and Jannie
From: "Mathilde Rasmussen"
<c7Mathil@vordingbg-gym.dk>
Hello Elizabeth!
As you already know my class just finished watching the movie Dead Poets Society. It is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. I think the plot of the movie was very realistic.
Just as you the first issue I want to write about is the death of Neil
Perry. I think it is scary that Neil commits suicide because of his father.
Of course the time in the movie is different from now and children were
not supposed to stand up against their parents, but I think it is awful
that a boy like Neil didn't have the courage to stand up against his father.
Mr. Keating inspired Neil to become an actor but it wasn't at all Mr.
Keating who was to blame for Neil's death.
When Mr. Keating told the boys about Carpe diem, seize the day, and
that they had to live their lifes while they could, Neil realised that
he didn't wanted to become a doctor as his father wanted him to. Neil realised
that he wanted to act. If Neil had told his father that he wanted to act
maybe the suicide could have been avoided.
I think Neil's father is the one to blame for his son's death, because
of the high expectations he had to Neil. Where Neil's father had
high expectations of his son, Todd Anderson had high expectation of himself.
He didn't wanted to make an assignment unless he was sure that it was absolutely
correct. That was why Todd choosed not to make the poem. Mr. Keating made
Todd compose a poem right there out loud in front of all his classmates.
Mr. Keating showed Todd that he was just as
good as everyone else. Mr. Keating made Todd believe in himself. Mr.
Keating is also my favourite character in the movie. As you write, Mr.
Keating cares for his students and wants to learn them to think for themselves
rather than just memorise what others told them. I think it succeeded.
My name is Mathilde Rasmussen. I am at a "gymnasium" ( I am a senior-school pupil). I am 16 years old. I like reading, listening to music, playing my piano and being with my friends. I have a younger sister who is 13 years old. I also have a cat, Misse.
Mathilde.
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 1997 13:50:51 +0100
To: gvp@oeonline.com
From: "Dukke Maria" <c7Maria@vordingbg-gym.dk>
Dear Melissa Czubaj !
Thank’s for your letter. We really enjoyed reading it. We are two girls
and our names are Maria and Signe. Maria is almost 18 and Signe is 16½.
We are 24 students in our class, so that’s why we’re two persons writing
back to you. We are 1. Year students on Vordingborg Gymnasium. The Danish
Gymnasium is much like your highschool. The gymnasium education takes three
years, and there are two lines: The mathemathic and the the language line.
We are on the language line, which include
English, German, Spanish, Latin, Music, Danish, Nature- and Science,
History, Biology and sports. There are about 600 students here on this
school.
Last Friday we finished watching the film Dead Poets Society in our
English class. We really liked the film. We agree on lots of yours points
of views, but we don’t think your right in your opinion that the boys on
the school are independent. We think they are victims of the very hard
discipline and the strict teachers on the school. We don’t think that discipline
and a lot of rules is the right way to educate young persons away from
their parents.
Mr. Keating’s teaching encourages the students to think for them selves,
and that makes them more independent. Because of the independence among
the students, Neil suddenly realises what he really want’s to do: acting.
His father has almost planned his whole life, without considering what
Neil wants, and that’s why he kill’s himself.
Neil can’t find any other way out. We don’t blame Mr.Keating for Neil’s
suicide, he was just trying to teach the boys something about the real
life. He want’s them to make as much of their lives as possible, as he
says: Carpe Diem - Seize the Day.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerly
Maria and Signe
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From Tanja and Camilla to Sara
Fri Oct 31 14:00:51 1997
From: "Tanja" <c7Tanja@vordingbg-gym.dk>
Subject: dead poets
Hi Sara!
Our names are Camilla & Tanja. We go to Vordingborg gymnasium in
vordingborg ( that´s like a High School ).
We are both writing because there are so many people in our class,
so we have to share your letter, hope that´s alright!.
We started in the gymnasium 3 months ago, so we are just getting used
to it. We have a lot of homework to do every day, but we do have time for
friends & boyfriends too.
Tanja: I have a boyfriend in 2.z at Vordingborg gymnasium, so my sparetime
is taken.
Camilla: I go to parties every weekend, but I also have homework to
do. Although they say that 2.g is the hardest period to get trough.!
We have the same opinion, of Dead Poets Society as you. It´s all
about parents controeling their children. They don´t let them
complete their dreams. Eks: Neil commit suicide because his father
want to controel him and his life.
The school has very strick rules, & it expects a lot of every student.
We have seen the film, and we are writing the book as well. The book
is a bit different than the film. It´s good that we have seen the
film, because you can see the pictures in your mind, when you read the
book.
That was a little about us & our opinion. We hope your´ll
write back!!
Love Camilla & Tanja.
From: Anne Høybye.
<c7Anne@vordingbg-gym.dk>
Subject: Anne´s response to DPS
Dear Robin.
I think it´s a very good movie, and it lived up to all my expectations.
That says a lot since I heard a lot about the movie. I went to a continuation
school last year, and the school in the movie was a bit like my school.
The rules were not so strict though. I admire them for having that courage
to sneack out at night. My roommate and I only dreamed of doing such things.
I agree with you that the parents shouldn´t pressure their kids so
much, as in the movie. I feel bad for Neil.
Actually I read your letter, before we saw the end of the movie,
so you kind of told me the end. But that´s alright, I think that
was our teachers fault. But still even knowing the end, didn´t ruin
the movie for me.
When you saw the movie, didn´t you feel inspired
by Mr. Keating. Didn´t you feel like you wanted to go out and live
life. Well, I did. Carpe diem.
Hi. I´m Anne Høybye. I´m 16 years old,
and I like to sing in my sparetime. I also have a job, where I sing in
the church on Sundays. When I´m not singing, I go to Vordingborg
High School. Freshman. I also enjoy watching movies and listen to music.
I like to listen to Janet, MJ, Madonna and Tina Turner.
We don´t have to pay for college in Denmark, but more
about that in my next letter. See you.
Anne.
Fri Oct 31 14:01:24 1997
From: Kristina Dam to Kristen
Dear Kristen
First I want to comment on what you have written about Dead Poets Society.
I agree with you that it is a good reflection between teens and
the struggle with their parents, but I think that nowadays teens are more
free about what to do.
I think the new teacher Mr. Keating does a good job, he tried to teach the boys independence, and teach them their stoff in a diffrent and fun way. I agree with you that Neil should have tried to stand up to his father, he should have fought against his father. Committing suicide is not a good way to solve the problems, it is the most stupid thing to do.
In the end of the movie, when Mr. Keating comes into a lesson to fetch
his things, I think it was so brave that Todd stand up on the tabel and
said "O Captain! my Captain!" It was a good way to show Mr. Keating that
he wants him to teach them.
Mr. Keating is how a teacher should be.
I agree with you what you wrote: Neil´s fathers way to handle
him was very strict and wrong. Parents need to understand that we
are young grown up, and not kids. I think it was wrong of Mr. Keating to
tell the boys about Dead Poets Society, because he encouraged them to do
something that they are not allowed to do. Mr. Keating understands how
the boys feel, and he tries to make their everyday more interesting. I
think it is wrong to fire him, because the boys need a man like him to
talk with.
My name is Kristina, I am 15 years old. I love to draw, do gymnastic
and ropeskipping.
Yes, we did watch the movie in English, but with Danish subtitles,
we read the book in English and it is easy to understand. Do you also read
the book ?
I have allso 2 dogs and 3 cats at home, who I love very much. I live
near a wood, so I often walk with my dogs there.
Have you any animals ?
When I go to school I take the bus, it takes an half hour.
I live in a hamlet, in a old school.
Well I'll stop, bye !
Kristina.
From: "Jens
Pedersen" to Emily
Letter to Emily!!!!
Hello Emily. My name is Jens and I am 16 years old. I go to High school here in Vordingborg. I work in the local youth club, were I am a combined bartender and just help the youngs in what ever way it`s necessary. I very much enjoy playing handball, and being social with my friends, perhaps in the matter of enjoing a good beer. I haven`t really been giving any thoughts to my future, first I have to finnish my three years here.
Now something about "Dead poets society".
I believe you`re right about the point of the movie, that one must find oneself, and in spite of all possible traditions, just do whatever he/she wants.
The movie also shows how oldfashioned and consevative some systems are, with administrators who tryies to prevent rebellion among the students.
About Niels suicide, I think it was a act of desperation and panic. I think he was afraid of becomong just like his father, and a way of punishmet, because his father had controlled and manipulatet Niel and his mather for so long.
The other conflict you are writing about, is the one between the
students and the administrators. A conflict we don`t know whether is solved
ore not.
Perhaps the protest of the students will cause some reforms.
Love
Jens
From: "Sacha
Albrechtsen" to Steph.
Dear Steph.
We also enjoyed the movie, and we think that you are right that Neil´s
father put way to much presure on him. But we do not think that Neil should
have talked with his father, he tried once and it didn´t help. We
think the only way he could have defied his father was to run away from
home or kill him self. Because his father wouln´t understand it,
and he has way to much control over Neil. But we also think that the best
part was in the end, when the boys stood on their desks, and yelled "O,
Captain, my Captain!" We almost cried. We think that it was a raelly, really
good movie, and we would love to see it again.
The movie made us think about the presure that some parents´
put on their children. It´s really horrible that something like that
can happen.
Our names are Trine Molter and Sacha Albrechtsen.We both attend the
same class, at Vordingborg gymnasium, it´s our first year.
Trine is a very giggling, smiling girl, who love to have fun. She is
16 years old, and lives in a house with her mom, dad, and big sister. She
loves music and her friends.
Sacha is a 16 year old girl, who love to make fun. She plays handball
in her sparetime, and works at a pizzeria in the weekends. She lives with
her mom, dad, and little sister in an appartment. Her bigbrother has moved
away from home. She loves her 3 cats, Pussi, Buller and Thor. She also
loves her rabbit Lucas, her boyfriend Kenneth and her friends. She loves
to listen to music. Almost any kind, from Podigy, Bjôrk, Oasis, to
Metalica.
Hope to hear from you soon!!!!!
Trine and Sacha.
From: Gitte
and Britt Andersen to Dareth
Hello Dareth !!!
We are two girls named Gitte and Britt.
In many ways we agree with you, about Dead Poets Society. We can understand
Neil'sp problem with his father, he is trying to control Neil and he is
reliving his teenage life though Neil, but we don't think that suicide
is the right way to end a problem.
What about all the people who is left behind ? Neil should have
talked to his father about the problem. Then it may have been solved.
We think that Neil's father knows that it's his fault, because he's
pushing Neil too hard.
We think it's was great of the class, that they stuck up for Mr. Keating.
He is just trying to get the students to see things from another point
of view.
My name is Britt Sørensen. I am a freshman at Vordingborg
Gymnasium.
I am 17 years old, my birthday is the 14 of July.
I don't have any sisters or brothers. We are just my mom and dad and
my little puppy who is 3 months
old, her name is Sally. When I not at school, I am with my friends,
and my boyfriend. Every Thursday I do Gymnastics, just to get some
excise and just like you I also think that summer is the best season.
My name is Gitte Andersen. I am in the same classs as Britt.
I am also 17 years old, my birthday is the 5 of august 1980. I have
a lovely sister who also is one of my best friends.
I love to listen to music like: Smashing Pumpkins, Suede, and Radiohead.
I am often with my friends and we like to party. We hope to hear from
you soon.
You're welcome to ask some questions if you want to.
Love from Gitte
and Britt.
From Lars
Andersen to Sarah
To Sarah
A response on your letter about Dead Poets Society.
After receiving your wellwritten letter my English-class watched Dead
poets society.I would also like to share my opinions on the film with you
and tell what I thought about it.
I felt that the purposes of the film was many different issues combined
with passion fore poetry, Mr. Keating tried to break traditions he wanted
his students to think in a selfconsiones direction he inspired the boys
to the grounding of Dead poets society with his open-minded, humane, alternative
lessons. He made several students realize their worth and the class clearly
gained confidence through his teaching, which reached the students in a
way they had not expected. The boys were drawn to his spirituel ideas they
were pleased with the CarpeDiem philosophe and were living out their secret
dreams one another sharing the joyful moments with triumph and supporting
each other when the were hid by the consequences of their actions.
I was touched by the film even though I had seen it before, the scene with
Neil and his father is moving me, this scary authority
possessive militant father attitude that he has developed, is
not good for his health and looks like he is about to have a stroke.
The film was superb in the way it told the story , in a thrilling an emotional appealing storytelling.
My name is by the way Lars Andersen, I'm a first year student at Vordingborg gymnasium, I play soccer, listen to music and go on bars at weekends.
Love Lars
From Nadia
and Lauren to Corey
Dear Corey,
Howdy!
Well this is our second atempt at this letter because we didn't save
the last one properly.
We are two girls, Nadia and Lauren. Nadia is 15 and Lauren is 16. Now a little about Nadia: I like horses so I spend a lot of time with my horses (and other peoples horses).When I finish school I`d like to go to Iceland and work. I have already been there two times and I`m going next summer too (my horses are Icelandic) .
Now it's over to me (Lauren).
I'm an exchange student here. I'm from Australia and I've been here
for 3 months now. I really like Denmark, it's pretty little country (it's
really flat though). All the people are lovely and friendly. They all like
to have a lot of fun too. There's always a party to go to and lot's of
beer (mainly because it's cheap, one of the few things that are.).
Some yearly things in Denmark are the same as the US, but we have festivals here! They are really good fun. There are Jazz festivals and Rock festivals, actually there are festivals for every type of music. The most famous are the Roskilde and Midtfyns festivals (they are rock festivals), huge bands play there eg. Live, Jamorqui etc.
Now I guess we should talk about the movie. We agree with your coment about Neil. We also agree that the whole movie was very good. It had good, strong characters and story line. We think the movie had a good moral towards it.
Mr Keating stressing the point of 'Carpe diem' brought about a strong feeling in the audience.
Well I think that's about it I hope our information was helpful.
Lauren Egan and Nadia Nielsen.
Dear Adrianne
We are two girls named Jannie J. and Jannie S. We are 17 and 18 years
old. We are studying at Vordingborg Gymnasium. We also go in 11th grade
and we don`t like school that much either. We both have brothers and sisters.
Jannie J. lives in Tappernøje, a little village near Vordingborg.
She lives on a farm with her mother, stepfather and little sister. On the
farm there are cows, cats and a dog.
Jannie S. lives in Kindvig, a very little village near Vordingborg.
She also lives on a farm, but there are no animals. She lives with her
mother, father, little brother and 4 dogs.
We have been reading your comment on the Dead Poets Society and we also think that the movie is well done. We both agree that the movie is very realistic so we can see what`s going on on this socalled boy schools. We both think it`s wrong the way the fathers take control over their sons, e.g when Neil wants to be an actor and the father won`t allow him. We think it`s sad that Neil commits suicide and Mr. Keating gets the blame for it. We think it`s cool that it`s Todd who took the initiative to stand up for Mr. Keating.
We both think it`s a good movie because it`s very realistic and that
we now know what boy schools are all about.
The real reason we like it, is because they made the club "Dead
Poets Society". It`s their way of surviving the days at the school!
Jannie Jensen and Jannie Sternbo.
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