Indledning
The novel “Dead Poets Society” is based on the movie produced in 1989. The book was written by Peter Wier, and has received a lot of stunning rewards since the release.
The novel is set in 1959 at the very respected and prestigious boys only school Welton Academy, a boarding school located in Vermont in the US.
The novel is mainly about a group of boys and their development from young kids to teenagers. The boy’s names are Todd Andersen, Neil Perry, Richard Cameron, Knox Overstreet and Charlie Dalton.
All of the boys have very different personalities but yet they all seem to have something in common and they become good friends.
In the start of the book we read about how strict and rigorous the teachers are and how they treat the boys with countless assignments and homework.
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Uddrag
The composition in the novel is constructed after the narrative arc and it starts with the exposition. This is the point where we get introduced to the environment and the most important persons in the novel.
We can see it in the first chapter where the strict environment is shown and we hear about the four important values that Welton has: Tradition, honor, discipline and excellence.
Already in the start we see Welton’s perspective of what a good student is and their robotic per-ception of learning.
Also, in the composition there is the rising action where a conflict begins to ramp up. I would argue that this happens when the boys meet Keating and they begin to experi-ence this free-thinking mindset that he is teaching them to have.
We can look at the important scene where he introduces the boys to carpe diem. We can see it in this quote where he talks about the meaning of carpe diem:
“Because we are only going to experience a limited number of springs, summers and falls.” (P. 26, L.1) Here he talks about how the boys should live their lives to the fullest because they have a limited number of days to live in.
This advice is in my opinion the advice that lead the boys to the very rebellious behavior later in the novel. Furthermore, in the composition we can look at the point of no return.
This happens when the boys have an important choice to make. For example, when they all discover The Dead Poets Society and they have to make the decision whether or not they want to break the rules.
We can see this in the quote: “I say we go tonight,” Neil said excitedly when Keating was out of sight. “Everybody in?” (P. 47, L. 27)
In this part the group needs to decide if they want to be a part of the society. This part shows us a lot about how the boys have developed in the story, that they are willing to break the rules to read poetry.
This leads us to the crisis, that takes place when Neil defies his father’s command and continues his acting dreams in the play. This leads us to the climax of the novel, the highest point of tension.
I would argue that this happens when Neil commits suicide. He chooses to kill himself because of his father’s decision and his sincere obligation to The Dead Poets Society.
We can read this in the quote: “He gasped. Neil lay on the floor, bathed in his own blood. Mr. Perry knelt down and embraced his son while his wife let out an anguished scream.” (P. 150 L. 30)
In this part we reach the highest point of tension in the novel. Everything changes after this part and it affects all the other characters, because of this tragedy. As a result of the climax the falling action happens.
This is where all the boys meet in the basement dorm because of Neil’s suicide. We also hear about the document the boys need to sign and with it Welton is trying to avoid a big crisis.
Lastly, we have the resolution and this is where the novel ends. The novel’s end is when the students sit in their English class and say their last goodbyes to Keating.
Many of them choose to stand on their tables as a final tribute to Keating. We can see this in the quote: “One by one, and then in groups, others in the class followed their lead, standing on their desks in silent salute to Mr. Keating.” (P. 166 L. 8)
We see the student’s gratitude because Keating chose to teach them to live their lives in a different way than their parents and the school wanted them to.
When they are standing on the desks, it symbolizes seeing the world from another point of view.
That is, challenging the school’s traditional ideas, stereotypes and values in order to be completely free. The ending is a tragedy but there is still a glimpse of happiness and gratitude.
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