Poems Quoted in the Movie, “The Dead Poets’ Society”

MICHELLE GARCÍA

1. When Mr. Keating introduces himself to the class he mentions the poem, “Oh Captain, My

Captain!”, which was written about Abraham Lincoln. Why does the poem compare Lincoln to a

captain who leads his ship through a “fearful trip” and then dies at the end of the journey? How

does this poem apply to what happens to Mr. Keating in the movie?

R/ The poem written by Walt Whitman is about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, an
exceptional leader, and that poem highlights his life and loyalty. On the other hand, Mr Keating, who
had been a leader for the students, in a certain way was also killed by the Dean who The poem written
by Walt Whitman is about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, an exceptional leader, and
that poem highlights his life and loyalty. On the other hand, Mr Keating, who had been a leader for the
students, in a certain way was also killed by the Dean who dismisses him from school because of his
disagreement with the way of teaching of Mr Keating. Students show their gratitude and honor by using
the phrase "O captain, my Captain" him from school because of his disagreement with the way of
teaching of Mr Keating. Students show their gratitude and honor by using the phrase "O captain, my
Captain".

2. What general problem or question is posed in the first part of the poem, “Oh Me! Oh Life!” What

“answer” does the poem propose?

R/ The most important question that arises is: what is good in the midst of so much misery ?, of poor
results and empty years? The answer is: that life follows and you can contribute with a verse.

3. Why is it natural for Mr. Keating to be especially fond of the poetry of Walt Whitman?

R/ It is natural for him, since we are human beings created with passion and other sciences are
important to survive but poetry is the reason why we live.

4. On the soccer field, Mr. Keating has each boy read a line from Walt Whitman’s “Poem of Joy” as

he kicks a soccer ball. Meanwhile, he plays for them, as background, an LP of majestic classical

music. What do the fragments of poetry have in common? What is Mr. Keating’s purpose in all of

this? (To put the question in another way: How are the lines of poetry, the music, and kicking the

soccer ball related?)

R/ The teacher wanted to motivate the students to live the day, because you do not know when it is the
last. The music, the poetry, the game and especially the phrase of Carpe Diem took the boys to enjoy
their life over the difficulties.

5. Who is the hero that Alfred Tennyson’s poem “Ulysses” refers to? What is especially significant
about his desire, at this moment in his life, to embark on a ship with his men? (To put the question

another way: What is the “message” of the poem?) How is this “message” related to the ideas

presented in the movie?

R/In the poem by Ulisses, one of the named characters is Achilles, who represents strength and the
struggle for his legacy, however he is also a victim of weaknesses and therefore comes the moment of
his despondency. The relationship with the film, we can find at the moment where the young man
commits suicide for not being able to continue with his dream of being an actor, he wants to get on the
boat, leave the road for another where he can fulfill his will.

6. Mr. Keating takes the boys to the patio and asks them to walk, each boy in his own way. As he does

so he quotes from the Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road not Taken” What is the poem about? How

is it related to the activity that Mr. Keating is dong with the boys?

R/ The poem is about making decisions, being oneself and fighting for your own ideals. The teacher asks
them to walk and act whatever they want, thinking only of their dreams and coming out of conformity
to seek happiness.

7. How does the boy’s chanting of Vachel Lindsay’s poem, “The Congo” as they emerge from the

cave, contribute to the ideas that the movie is communicating?

R/The poem of the Congo, narrates the difficulty of this country in relation to the freedom of races. The
relationship between the poem and the film can be established, in the sense that there is a search for
freedom impregnated in the plot of the film, conservative thinking leads people to be unreasonable and
not open their minds to what is really live and be happy doing it. It is a call to the need for awareness
and change.