Bokrecension: Dead Poets Society av Nancy H. Kleinbaum

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Title: Dead Poets Society
Author: Nancy H. Kleinbaum
Genre: Youth/Drama
Year of publishing: 1989

Plot and characters

The book “Dead Poets Society” is actually based on the movie with the same name. Yes, you heard right – it’s not the original history presented in this book, nor is it the author who came up with the plot. I’ve only read a few books based on movies, and this one was by far the best. Even though it’s nowhere near as good as the film. One of the main characters in this book is Todd Anderson, a shy and insecure young student who is sent to a boarding school called “Welton Academy” in Vermont in the late 1950s, where his brother once went. Therefore, everyone expect him to be just as talented and hardworking as him. Todd’s new roommate Neil Perry is braver and more outspoken than Todd, but still strictly controlled by his father who wants him to be a doctor, and refuses to let Neil play theatre. Knox Overstreet is a kind and good-hearted young man who later on falls unhappily in love with Chris, who is dating Chet (a very over-protective, jealous and athletic guy). Knox therefore tries to get Chris’ attention, but it may seem easier than it really is after all.
The beginning of the school year starts like any other, but when the new english teacher John Keating meets the young boys, everything changes. Mr. Keating is an eccentric person, and his unconventional methods of teaching surprise both the young students and the school faculty. His philosophy is to seize the day – “Carpe Diem” – and he teaches the boys not only poetry and literature but also how to fully live your life and make the most out of it. However, not everybody likes John, and Neil’s father for an example, feels threatened by Mr. Keating and worries about the effects the new teacher will have on his son.
We still haven’t discussed the legendary society that the film/book is named after, and perhaps this is one of the most important parts of the whole story. When Mr. Keating was young he went to the Welton Academy as well. He and some other boys who were interested in poetry founded the “Dead Poets Society” – a secret union that occasionaly had meetings in a cave in the woods, where they read poems and encouraged eachother to write and “seize the day”. One of the boys finds out about the society and makes Mr. Keating tell them all about it – and then they make the decision. They will found the new Dead Poets Society and read poetry in the cave just like John Keating and his old friends did decades ago! Together with Charlie “Nuwanda” Dalton and some other classmates they fullfill this agreement, and maybe the club and its purpose is what causes the tragic, but maybe important, events that happen later in the book.

Personal Opinions

Dead Poets Society was a very well-written and easy book to read. Compared to other books in the same genre, it was written in an almost old-fashioned way, like a classic book from the early 20th century or late 19th. The environment, atmosphere and the characters are very beautifully described. The characters are all very interesting and absorbing and it really feels like you get to know them, although you aren’t given much facts about their background or life before the Welton Academy – obviously because not even the film go very deep into the personal lives of the students. The plot is engaging and it’s just one of those novels that makes you feel like you have to do something important and meaningful with your life. It has a very strong message that is easy to discern.
How does the book portray the theme of good and evil? If I would split the characters into two teams: the good ones and the “evil” ones – it would not be very difficult at all. The good people in this novel are the ones who fight for freedom and the right to live your life the way you want. That is, Mr. Keating and the boys in the Dead Poets Society who are brave enough to take control of their lives. Mr. Keating plays the key role of the good, he is simply the ideal of a nice guy. He’s got charisma, charm and he knows how important it is to follow your heart – and he’s not afraid to share this with the students, nor encouraging them to oppose their strict and conservative parents.
The evil in this book comes directly from the people trying to put down Mr. Keating. But in some way, I think they are doing it because they are afraid of changes. I don’t think that it’s pure evil that drives Neil’s father to prevent Neil from playing theatre, and I don’t think it’s evil in the headmaster’s heart as he punishes his students for doing pranks and practical jokes. Perhaps “evil” is a daring word to use in this situation. The evil in Dead Poets Society is entirely based on stupidity, conservatism and fear of letting the young ones do what they love.

I can’t think of an exercise we have done to compare the theme with in a fair way, but if I would choose one thing we’ve discussed it would definately be the Michael Moore movie “Bowling for Columbine”, because that movie is all about fear, just like this novel (even if the novel concentrate mostly on overcoming your fears and be free while the movie is about how people are unable to do the same thing). In Bowling for Columbine, the authorities – and also many of the civilians – keep holding on tightly to tradition, and protecting their families. In the book, for an example, Neil Perry’s father does the exact same thing. He wants his son to be a doctor to secure his future, to prevent him from being poor and uneducated just like his father. In a way, that is protection, but the destructive kind since Neil is not allowed to do anything he truly wants to.
Knox Overstreet tries to win the heart of his beloved Chris, and with all the odds against him. Knox represents the good and Chris’ boyfriend Chet the evil in this love triangle. He writes Chris a poem and shows his love in a very sensitive yet stubborn way, and defy his fears just like John Keating has taught him.
I really enjoyed myself reading and analyzing this book, and I can clea...