The comments were received via e-mail.
Adrianne Corey Dareth Elisabeth Emily Stacey Kristin Kyle Melissa Robin Sanjay Sara Sarah Steph Jennifer
6. October 1997 19:32:57
Fra: Atlas@oeonline.com
Emne: Adriannes thoughts on Dead Poets Society
Hi. My name is Adrianne Eller. I am 16 years old. I am in 11th grade at Adams High School in Rochester Michigan. I was born on April 3rd 1981. I don't like school all that much, but who does anyway? I have two older brothers and one older sister. All of them have ether been through collage or are in it right now. I have no pets, but use to. What I enjoy doing the most is just hanging out with my friends. I also like to play my guitar and drum with my friends.
I found the movie Dead Poets Society very well done. If I had to say if I liked it or not I could not really answer that. Parts of it I loved and other parts I didn't like at all. I didn't like how the movie showed that you have to do what the adults say all the time. The more I think about Dead Poets Society the better it seems. But it is very rarely that you see a movie and love every thing about it, or can't find any thing that you like at all.
I didn't like how the teacher was fired. And at the end how the kid with the red hair was on the adults' side. But the part I disliked the most was that it was showing that you have to conform to the system even when you think it is wrong. I think the movie really showed how to stand up for what you believe in even when it can be a really hard thing to do. It also showed independence and growing up very well. Poetry wasn't that major of a part in Dead Poets Society. Although I really like some of the quotes they used in it.
Adrianne Eller
6. October 1997 19:33:24
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com
Emne: coreyHello,
My name is Corey, I go to Adams High School in Rochester Hills Michigan. We are participating in your e-mail exchange program. We read your message and are very interested in hearing your comments about the movie we viewed. It was a pretty well developed and thought out movie. I think the plot was ideal and realistic.
I believe one of the most striking scenes in the movie was the final scene of Neil alive in his bedroom window. I was really painful to see his father not care about his sons future and not care for his feelings. I believe the real point of the death of Neil was to strengthen the boys hearts and minds.
So how does your culture differ from ours? Please send me some information about your everyday life that may be different from the way we do things? What kind of tradition do you have? Do you have yearly thing or events, or things you just do out of enjoyment. I know I like to go hang out and do other things with my friends. What do you do for fun?
Corey
Dareth Wilson's comments:
6. October 1997 22:31:20
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com
Emne: Dareth's response to Dead Poets SocietyHello, we just finished the movie "Dead Poets Society". In my opinion, the movie touched many different issues. Some issues I saw in the movie were the real reason of Neil's death, different types of schools around the world, and weather or not teachers, schools and friends can take away ones' individualism. What hit me the most in the movie was the cause of Neil's death.
I think that the death of Neil could of been avoided if the father was more understanding. The dad was trying to relive his teenage life through his child. He had the attitude that whatever he wants, goes. Neil was a hard-working man who was twisted between emotions. He tried to hide his true feelings to impress his dad. When he began to become close to his poetry teacher, Mr. Keating, he realized that who his father wanted him to be, wasn't who he was. He loved to act. When the play came out, he tried out. He won the leading role and almost had to drop out the night before because his father didn't approve. He went to tell his father his passion for acting and he was going to go on with the play. His father did show up to watch his son put on one of the best performances at the school. Everyone was proud of his son except him. He yanked him out of the school and told him he had to end the acting business and go to Harvard to become a doctor. That night, Neil ended his life. Can you blame him? Why live if you can't be who you are?
After the death, people didn't know who to blame. They tried to blame the school, the dead poets society, Mr. Keating, the father. The one that stuck out the most was the teacher. He indeed got fired, but at the end, the kids in his class stuck up for him. I believe that the blame should fall on the father. If you try to explain that to him, I don't think he would understand. He is a strike, stubborn fool. I think the father's reaction was anger. Anger that the son didn't do what he said.
My name is Dareth Wilson. I am a senior at Rochester Adams High. I am 17 years old. My birthday is Jan 14. When I am not at school I can usually be found at work. I work at a grocery store about 28 hours a week. I also teach karate at elementary schools. I been taking karate on and off for the past 10 years. I also have a membership at a fitness center. In my spare time I am usually out with my friends or home resting. I have an older brother who is getting married in about 7 months. I also have an Old English Sheepdog. Her name is Sophia. My favorite season is the summer. I am definitely a water person. I enjoy swimming, skiing, tubing, boating and riding my wave runner. I have a cottage on the water which I spend a lot of my summer at. I hope to hear from you soon about your opinion of the movie and also about yourself.Sincerely,
Dareth Wilson
Elisabeth's remarks:
6. October 1997 15:20:00
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com
Emne: Elizabeth's response to DPSOctober 2, 1997
Hello,
My Global Village class just finished watching the movie Dead Poets Society. I would like to discuss the different issues present in the movie.
The first issue is the death of Neil. Neil was under a great deal of stress because of his father's high expectations of him. Neil did not have the courage to stand up against his father, and as a result he ended up doing things his father wanted instead of what he wanted. For example at the beginning, Mr. Perry told Neil that he must quit the school annual because school work came first. The annual was one of the things Neil loved about school and he was going to be co-editor that year. When Neil joined the play he felt that he had to hide this from his father so that he could participate. Mr. Keating was a big part of Neil's life, he encouraged him to go for what he wanted even though it would be hard to persuade his father he had to try. When Neil had to confront his father about the play he explained his views and his father allowed him to continue on with that play but he was not happy. The night of the performance, Mr. Perry came to the last half of the play. Neil was terrified of what his father's opinion would be. Neil delivered a wonderful performance, but his father did not feel the same way. His father was angered that Neil would waste his time this way and told him that he would be enrolled in a new school the following day. This was probably the breaking point for Neil, he had tried to do everything his father wanted but it was never good enough. I think that Mr. Keating encouraged Neil to speak up to his father about what he wanted, this would have helped the situation under normal circumstances but Mr. Perry refused to listen to his son. Neil just decided that he could not live under the kind of stress that his father imposed on him and he could not get rid of it and the only way out was through death. I believe that the one who was most instrumental in Neil's death was Mr. Perry not Mr. Keating.
Mr. Keating is my favorite character in the movie. He genuinely cares about his students and wants them to learn from his class. He encouraged all of his students to push themselves and be all the they could. For example, the poetry assignment, Todd Anderson was terrified to write a poem to read to the class. Todd feared that he would be ridiculed by his classmates if the poem was not excellent. He chose not to write a poem and suffer the bad grade rather than embarrass himself. Mr. Keating would not accept this effort, or lack of effort. He made Todd compose a poem right there out loud. He showed Todd that he was good enough to do anything he put effort into, he could write a poem as well as anyone else. Mr. Keating taught his students to think for themselves rather than just memorize and repeat what was told to them. I think that is a skill that much more important that any subject.
Now a bit about myself. My name is Elizabeth and I am a twelfth grader at Adams High School. Activities I am in are varsity swimming, National Honors Society, and SADD (Students Against Driving Drunk). I have a younger sister who is in ninth grade here at Adams. I also have two birds, Candy and Cotton.Elizabeth
6. October 1997 22:23:32
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com
Emne:Dear Student,
I recently saw the movie Dead Poets Society. It was a very good movie
that applied a heavy theme. I believe the movie was about finding oneself.
As Mr. Keating said, "Carpe diem", or seize the day. He encouraged his
students to defy the norm. He wanted them to become their own person, find
their own walk.
I believe there were two major conflicts in the movie. The first one was
with Neil and his father. Neil wanted to become an actor, but his father
insisted that he become a doctor. He wouldn't allow Neil to follow such a
foolish dream. The second conflict was a power struggle between the boys
of the academy and the administrators. The administrators wanted the boys
to be all the same and have no distinguishing characteristics.
The conflict with Neil and his father was resolved when Neil committed
suicide. It was a sad resolution, but that way Neil would never be
controlled by his father again. After Neil had died every one was
interrogated, because Neil's father would not except the blame for his
death. This keyed the resolution for the second conflict. Eventually Mr.
Keating was blamed and fired because he encouraged the boys to be
different. When he was gathering his stuff all the boys stood up on their
desks as a salute to him. They finally defied the administrators. They
had truly found themselves.Hello, my name is Emily. I am seventeen years old. I am a senior Adams
High school. I work as a lifeguard\swim instructor at the pool here. I am
also very bad at writing about myself. I enjoy swimming, dancing, hanging
out with my friends, and all that teenager stuff. I can't wait to go to
college and try that dorm life. I don't know where I want to go, as long
as it is far away from my parents.
6. October 1997 22:28:18
Meddelelse
Fra: webscool@oeonline.com
Dear Students,
Our class just got done seeing the movie Dead Poets Society. I thought that it was a very well done movie with many different ideas. In the movie they covered many different topics from dealing with death, to problems with parents. These are problems that teenagers have to face everyday. I feel that one of the most important points was about finding your own identity.
I feel that it is very important that you don't always follow the crowd. People need to have their own ideas, thoughts, and feelings. All the time people around you will tell you how to act, what to do and when to do it, and even what to feel. You have to develop your own personality, that is not influenced by your parents, teachers or friends. I feel that your parents, teachers, and friends can help develop your personality, but it should be all your own. I really thought that Mr. Keating was a great influences on the boys on dealing with this idea. He got them to think, and feel for themselves. He taught them to question things they had never question before. This is a skill that we all have to learn. I feel that all
of us need a Mr. Keating in our lives.
Hi! My name is Stacey, and I'm 17 years old. I attend Rochester Adams High
School, and in the 12 grade. School is going well, but I can't wait to get
off to collage. I have one very large, very old goldfish, that floats upside down. Everyone always thinks he's dead. I enjoy dancing, singing and being with my friends. I work 3 days a week, because I really need the money for car. Other than that I spent most of my time doing school work.
Stacey
7. October 1997 14:55:15
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com
Emne: kristen's thoughts on dps
Hi! I recently got done watching the movie Dead Poets Society and I think that it is a good reflection between teens and the struggle with their parents. This was vividly described through the character Neil. As you may recollect, Neil was the student who wanted to be an actor, but he knew that his father wouldn't stand for it. However, Neil tried out for the community play and got the lead role. This was where Neil and his father got into an argument. This is definitely describes teens and their parents. Teens feel that they should be able to pick and choose what they want, however, parents feel that we are still kids and we should do what they say. I think this not the way for a parent to handle a teen. Teens can not learn to be individuals if their parents don't loosen up the reigns. I'm not sure how Neil could have handled the situation with his father (because he was so strict!) but, I think that their would have been a better resolution than committing suicide. I think that Neil should have tried to stand up to his father more instead of wussing out.
My name is Kristen and I am 16 years old. I love playing sports especially volleyball. I don't really sound or write like that paragraph up there, but when I have to write an essay for a school thing, I like to look smart so I can get an A. Our school is having the a dance this weekend (two days from now) so this week has been a fun spirit week with a girls football game on Friday after school! Oh yeah, I have a question, did you guys watch the movie in English? If you did, was it hard to understand? Well, bye!
6. October 1997 15:18:38
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com
Emne: kyle's response to dps
Til: Hans Klarskov
Cc: cjensen@oeonline.com,InternetI just recently watched "Dead Poets Society". I found the movie to be
very interesting; especially the focus on individuality. All of the boys
were individuals and were allowed to believe what they wanted because of
their teacher, Mr. Keating. Neil was getting to do what he wanted and had
become an individual with his acting, but his father wouldn't allow him to
continue it. His father didn't let him be an individual so Neil killed
himself. I think everyone should be allowed to be themselves and not be
controlled by someone else. Individuality is very important in society.Our school is completely opposite of the school in "Dead Poets Society".
Our school is public with girls and guys and everyone is allowed to be an
individual. There are a lot more kids though, and some get lost in the
crowd. Hopefully, everyone is getting a chance to be themselves.My name is Kyle. I am 17 years old. I am very tall so I play basketball
on the varsity team. We have a homecoming football game for girls and I am
the coach for the Juniors. The game is called the BG BOWL game and it is
played before the real homecoming football game. The game is tomorrow and
then the next day we have the Homecoming Dance. The weekend should be a
lot of fun.Kyle
6. October 1997 19:10:29
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com
Emne: Melissa's response to the movie Dead Poets Society! Til: Hans Klarskov
Cc: cjensen@oeonline.com,Internet
October 6, 1997Dear Hans Klarskov and students,
Yesterday we finished watching the film Dead Poets Society in my Global Village Class. After shortly viewing your web site devoted to the film and book, and I would like to discuss your opinions of the movie versus my opinion of the movie.
First off, I really did not think that the point of the movie was to give exposure to different types of poetry. I thought that the primary purpose of the movie was to show how the boys were impacted by John Keating and the friendships that evolved with him. There was also the companionship between the young boys. As the movie continued, the friendships between Keating and the boys grew and their trust in him as a confidant also strengthened.
Another major theme of the movie, was the fact that the boys were living away from home and have a large amount of independence from their parents. I compare it to when students leave to go to college. As you settle in at college, a student realizes that they have a great deal of independence and they do not know what to do with it all. This was also prevalent with the death of Neil Young. When he got back to school, his father told him that he was involved in too many activities and had to drop being co-editor of the school newspaper, the Bulletin. When I heard his father say this, I knew that Mr. Perry was a character that controlled his son's life and he had a predestined end for it. After the scene where they are at the play, A Midsummer's Night Dream, Mr. Perry tells Neil that he will be going to the military school, then to Harvard, and then will become a doctor. I thought that his father was trying to live his life through his son's life. When he killed himself, it was a symbol of the fact that he was not going to put up with his father ruling his life. When the movie returns to the school after Neil's death, the headmaster indicates that there will be a full investigation of Neil's death, per the request of the Perry's. I feel that this is Mr. Perry trying to take the blame off himself and put it on Mr. Keating, who encouraged Neil to do the play. Mr. Perry does not want to be at fault for his own son's death.
Now a little about myself. My name is Melissa Czubaj and I go to Rochester Adams High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA. I am a Senior and I plan to go to college next year. I live with my two parents and my younger sister, Laura. My hobbies include competitive dance and hanging out with my friends. Some of my closest friends go to college, but many are still in high school. I plan to go to college to become a Physical Therapist and an Athletic Trainer, but that is many years away. Hope to hear from you soon. JSincerely,
Melissa Czubaj
6. October 1997 19:21:03
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com
Emne: Robin's response to DPS
Til: Hans Klarskov
Cc: cjensen@oeonline.com,Internet"Dead Poets Society" was probably one of the better movies I've seen in awhile. The plot of the movie showed how much pressure is put on students by their parents. Parents always want their children to do all the things that they never got to do back in their day. Pressure to be successful is necessary for children their age, however not to the extent portrayed by Neil's father. Although children need to be pushed, they need their freedom to make their own choices as well. Pushing too hard can result in suicide as shown in the movie.
In our community, students are pressured to go to school five days a week, hold a part-time job, and help out around the house as well. At my school, there is a valedictorian and a salutatorian. These are people who get the best grades in my senior class. Pressure for good grades is very important around here to get into a good college. A part-time job is also common around here. Many students are pressured into holding one to help pay for college and to for spending money. Lastly, with both parents working today, help around the house is very necessary to keep things in order.
Hello, my name is Robin Harms. I am an 18-year-old Senior at Rochester Adams High School. I enjoy watching movies and playing tennis and volleyball. I also enjoy watching baseball, football, and basketball on television. I listen to most kinds of music but I like rap (Puff Daddy, Coolio, etc.) and oldies (any music from the sixty's and seventy's) the best. I hope to hear from you soon!Robin
6. October 1997 19:24:13
Meddelelse
Fra: jjjk@kjkj.lkj
Emne: DPS review
Til: Hans Klarskov
Cc: cjensen@oeonline.com,InternetIn watching the film Dead Poets Society, I found that its universal message was carpe diem, or seize the day. The basic point appeared to be that one should seize every moment--every opportunity--to succeed. This doesn't necessarily mean that one will succeed as far as society's views are concerned, but that one should find his/her individual contentment in life.
Neil was trapped in a life where, regardless of how hard he tried, he would never be content. His pursuit of acting would tear his relationship with his parents apart, and his becoming a doctor would ruin his dreams. It is because of this that he committed suicide. I, personally, do not feel that this is the answer, but it seemed to result in a tragic/endearing end to a film that, otherwise, would have meandered on painting us nice pictures for god knows how long (sort of like this sentence!!!).
This doesn't mean I didn't like Dead Poets Society, it merely means that I did not find it to be exceptionally well crafted or substantial. There are many movies that have handled the same subject matter in a more substantial manner. I liked the movie, but did not find myself moved by it. It was not a heavy-hitting, blazingly new film. It was simply a nice film with a nice message about life: One should seize the moment to obtain what makes him/herself happy.It was also a nice turn for Robin Williams as an actor after showing much promise in such films as Good Morning Vietnam, etc. The stories are ones that can be related to by almost everyone: overbearing parents, the suffocating effects of an increasingly pressure-filled society, living up to unreal expectations, the struggle to find one's individual voice, and the pursuit of happiness. It was a film aimed to enlighten the masses, and it certainly succeeded at that.
Write me back and tell me what you think. My name is Sanjay, and I am seventeen years old. I would be more than happy to listen to what you think about this filmàeven if you disagree with me. Soàin closingàwrite back.
6. October 1997 15:25:38
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com,Internet
Emne: dpsCc: cjensen@oeonline.com,Internet
My name is Sara, I go to Adams High School in Rochester, Michigan. In Global Village we are exchanging e-mail letters with your class. This week we watched the movie Dead Poets Society. I thought the movie was pretty well put together. I liked the way Mr. Keating impacted some of the boys lives. He also put a lot of humor in to the movie. This movie was a good example of how parents can be too controlling over their own children. The main character Neil Perry, a member of the Dead Poets Society loved to act. But, his father tried to take this away from him by threatening to take him out of school. Neil had a talent that his father would not see. His father was the cause of his suicide at the end of the movie. Neil tried to fulfill his fathers wishes, but he had his own dreams and goals set aside for himself. Neil ended up killing himself because he could not handle his fathers pressure, to become a doctor.
A little about myself, I am a senior this year at Adams. I enjoy playing sports. Right now I am playing on the girls Varsity basketball team. I have a job at a pizza place called Tower Pizza. I am only working twice a week now, because of school and basketball. Our basketball record consists of 3 wins and 6 losses. Let's face the fact we are not very good, but we have a fun time playing. In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with my friends. What types of things do you do for fun and enjoyment?Sara.
6. October 1997 15:10:13
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com,Internet
Emne: Sarah's response to Dead Poets Society
Til: Hans Klarskov
Cc: cjenson@oeonliine.com,Internet
October 2, 1997Dear Hans Klarskov and students,
Yesterday my Global Village Class finished watching the Dead Poets Society. I would like to share my opinions on the film with you and hear what you thought about it.
I did not feel the purpose of the film was to simply discuss poetry. Instead it looked into individualism and the rights of teenagers. The boys were forced to do exactly what their parents wanted they were not able to decide for themselves. John Keating attempted to show the boys how to be independent thinkers. While he might have helped Neil Perry realize how much he liked to act, Mr. Keating did not have any part to do with Neil's death. Mr. Perry was forcing his son to lead the life he choose. Finally, Neil could not take it any longer.
I was extremely touched by the ending of the film. When Todd and the rest of the boys stood on their desks, it showed Mr. Keating he HAD made a difference. He helped Knox Overstreet "Seize the day" and find the courage to talk to Chris. Mr. Keating also enabled Todd to realize how much talent and worth he had. I feel it is important for all teachers to step away from the regular curriculum and teach their students about life, just as Mr. Keating did.
By the way, my name is Sarah Reynolds and I am a senior at Rochester Adams High School (in Michigan, U.S.A.). I have one older sister, Karen, who is a sophomore in college. I enjoy acting, singing and hanging out with my friends. Well, I hope to hear from you soon.JSinceraly,
Sarah Reynolds
6. October 1997 19:22:36
Meddelelse
Fra: gvp@oeonline.com,Internet
Emne: Steph's response to DPS
Til: Hans KlarskovI really enjoyed the movie, "Dead Poets Society". I believe the father of Neil put way too much pressure on his son. I think instead of killing himself, Neil should have just defied his father. Maybe runaway, or talk back to his father. Neil had no guts at all, and instead of sticking up for himself, he took the easy way out. I thought in the end how all the boys stood on their desks and said, "Captain, my captain" was the best part. Finally all these boys stood up for what they believe in. I also think when Neil's best friend was in the dean's office being questioned about Neil's death and it's connection to Mr. Keating, he should have just told the truth there. You could tell that he wanted to, but just couldn't make himself. However, the end made up for it.
Many teens are faced with a lot of pressure, usually by parents. I think if Neil would've talked back to his parents, and told them how he feels, he may have gone a lot farther than he did by killing himself. Parents need to be conditioned, I believe, and you must start at a young age. Neil neglected to do this, and therefore was a slave to his parents.
My name is Stephanie Brown. I am a senior at Adams High. I am a captain of the Varsity tennis team. I also enjoy playing volleyball, whitewater rafting, and mountain climbing. I work at a large plant and tree nursery. I listen to all kinds of music; soft rock, alternative, rap, and oldies. I hope to hear from you!
Steph.
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