Enjoying poetry: Dead Poets Society

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. So medicine, law, business, engineering... these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love... these are what we stay alive for.” 

                                   Mr. Keating. Dead Poet´s Society 


Dead Poets Society tells a story about the impact  a new teacher has on a group of students at the conservative prep school Welton Academy.
After watching the film, try to give your opinion about it and answer the following questions in the voicethread below:

1. Do you think teachers can really have a positive influence in the lives of some students? How come?  Make reference to the film and to your own personal experience.
2. Some characters have made some important choices in their lives.
 Choose at least two characters and tell me  your opinion about their actions and reactions. Would you have done the same? Why do you think they have made that particular decision? What do you think of the consenquences?
3. What do you think of the Carpe Diem philosophy with which the teacher tries to encourage his students?
4. In the film some important aspects about education are introduced. 
What do you think of it? What types of education are contrasted in the film and what are their consequences? Give examples.
5. What do you think of the relationship between some of the students and their parents? Give examples
6. Tell me something you particularly enjoyed and some ideas you have liked. Explain why? 
7. In the film many poems and extracts froms different poets and writers are read, recited, analyzed and commented. For example they read one extract from Thoreau.

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived"

 What´s the meaning of this extract? Could you make reference to any other  poem or extract you have liked or has caught your attention because of something in particular? 
8. Did you enjoy the film? Why? Why not?