The death poet Society

The death poet Society (book) is a literary adaptation of the script published by Tom Schulman in 1989 for the homonymous feature film. This story was adjusted to the novelistic format by the American journalist Nancy H. Kleinbaum. Who is also known for being the author of children's books, and, especially, thanks to several books based on Hollywood films.

Likewise, Dead Poets Society (original title in English) was the first adaptation of a script completed by Kleinbaum. In this way, the American writer took advantage of the excellent reviews received by the film to make herself known. Certainly, the text lives up to the quality of the film. Otherwise, the notoriety obtained would have been counterproductive and short-lived.

About the writer

American journalist and writer Nancy H. Kleinbaum (1948 -) is a graduate of Northwestern Evanston University. At the moment, be part of the magazine team Lifestyles and resides in Mount Kisco, New York, with his partner and three children. Apart from Dead Poets SocietyAmong his literary adaptations based on film scripts, the following stand out:

• Ghost Story (nineteen ninety five). Original script by Kermit Frazier.
• Doctor Dolittle and his family of animals (1999). Original script by Hugh Lofting.
• The Travels of Doctor Dolittle (Doctor Dolittle's Journey, 1999). Original script by Hugh Lofting.

Dead Poets Society

The author decided to adapt this script to literature due to the great educational values ​​transmitted. In addition, the story is truly motivating from multiple points of view - beyond the pedagogical level - because it contains an extraordinary life lesson. The result is a book as entertaining and exciting as the movie starring Robin Williams.

The main character is John Keating, an English teacher with an informal appearance and unconventional teaching methods. Its main purpose is to bring students closer to literature to encourage them —not only to read— also to express themselves through writing. In this way, the teacher hopes to awaken the creative seed in his students and transcend his own limits.

Summary of The death poet Society

You can buy the book here: The death poet Society

At the beginning of the narration, Mr. Gale Nolan, Principal of Welton Academy, delivers a speech to all the students. The address addresses the four pillars of the institution: tradition, honor, discipline and excellence. The principal then introduces the new English teacher, Mr. Keating, as well as a new student named Todd Anderson.

As the days go by, Todd gets to know his classmates. They are Neil Perry, Charlie Dalton, Knox Overstreet, Steven Meeks, Richard Cameron, and Pitts. After the first day of classes, students realize the uniqueness of Professor Keating and his unconventional methods. Especially when he jumps on a desk and recites excerpts from a Walt Whitman poem.

Carpe Diem

The professor takes his students to the honor hall of the academy. There, he explains the meaning of the words Carpe Diem in poems. The term expresses "take the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life." Further on, Neil Perry finds Professor Keating's yearbook, which points to John as a member of The Society of Dead Poets.

Neil asks the professor about it. Keating explains that it was a secret group dedicated to reading poems Shelley, Thoreau, Withman, and his own writings. These recitations were made inside an ancient cave. So Perry and his friends decide to revive the old club's activities.

Reto

Professor Keating constantly reminds his students of the importance of seeing things from another perspective. Therefore, one of his most frequent practices is to climb on top of his desk. Likewise, the teacher insists that everyone must defend the things about which they are sure. For this, he relies on the slogan Carpe Diem, Horacio's maxim, as a daily guide.

However, When the teacher asks the students to recite their own poems, none of them dares to come to the front of the class. Accordingly, Keating chooses Todd Anderson as the first brave man for dynamics. Seeing the student's discomfort, the teacher asks him to describe one of Whitman's characters with his own imagination.

Shock

One night, The Society of Dead Poets meets in the cave, except for Neil and Cameron. In this meeting, Todd finally dares to read his own poems. The next day all the members of Welton Academy are moved by the news of the death of Neil Perry. Apparently he committed suicide because his father forbade him to perform (poetic) performances.

Later, Cameron complains about Professor Keating's teaching methods to Principal Gale and tells him about The Society of Dead Poets. The principal misjudges the teacher's pedagogical strategies, as he considers them "inciting" of dangerous behavior in students. Among them, the role performances that caused so much conflict in Neil.

Walk the walk

Principal Gale dismisses Professor John Keating in a very bad manner. In consecuense, students are outraged with disrespect and decide to make their position clear on the matter. At the end, all the students who are members of The Society of Dead Poets get on their desks.

Meta

The length of the text —166 pages— places it in the category of “pocket book”. Thus, it is a completely condensed content and, at the same time, easy to read. The cover even provides a significant detail: the teacher's simple clothing (who appears surrounded by his students). Which is not a minor detail because it is a fairly formal institution.

Among the students, the character with the most extraordinary journey of self-fulfillment is Todd Anderson. Because at first he is not attracted to literature (much less to the idea of ​​reading his own poems in public due to his shyness). But thanks to the "contagious" creative inspiration of Professor Keating, Todd manages to overcome his limitations and recite his writings in front of others.

The tribute

With the literary adaptation of Dead Poets Society, Nancy H. Kleinbaum set out to evoke the memory of those poets who have died. Actually, the intrinsic message in the story is perfectly represented by the phrase Carpe Diem... It is a universal slogan: make each day exceptional.