Friday Blog

1. My most influential leaders are most definitely my parents. I believe so because they are the the adults that I see, and learn from every day. I learn so much about life and things that will help me in life from my parents.

2. I believe Keating means that, although practices such as medicine, law, business and engineering are all very important in sustaining human life, poetry is one of the main reasons that we have a desire to stay alive due to the fact that the human race is filled with a desire for poetry, beauty, romance and love. Yes, I agree with this quote and I believe that poetry plays a huge role in satisfying our desire for entertainment, and not only is poetry just writing but it is in music and other forms of entertainment.

3. Yes, I strongly agree that things must be viewed in a different light because it can help you learn and understand how others are feeling and why people do certain things. When people have different views than I do, I try to put myself in their shoes and understand them. Sometimes, when I look at things differently I find that they sometimes aren't as they seem.

4. If I could contribute one "verse" to the world it would most likely be through some form of art that inspires people to better themselves so we would ultimately have a happier world.

Thursday Blog

1. No, I do not think Neil would have committed suicide if Mr. Keating was not in his life. I believe so because Mr. Keating is the main person that inspired Neil to pursue his dream against his fathers will, which led Neil's father to send him to Military School and Medical School which ultimately caused Neil to commit suicide. However, I believe that if Keating had not inspired Neil he would have most likely lived a very unhappy life and possibly committed suicide anyway.

2. I believe that Todd is the bravest of the Keating boy's because he overcame his shyness and was not afraid to object in favor of Mr. Keating at the end of the movie. Cameron is the biggest coward because he was very quick to betray his friends and Mr. Keating to save himself.

3. I think the book was placed there by Mr. Keating. Mr. Keating most likely put it there to further encourage the boys to think for themselves and be original by introducing them to more poetry. Therefore it was most likely as a some sort of psychological test for the boys.

WednesdayBlog

I believe the central theme of Dead Poet's Society was "Carpe Diem," meaning seize the day. It's what Mr. Keating first told his English students when he took them to look at photos of the dead former graduates of the school. He wanted them to make their lives extraordinary, to do some different, and to pursue their dreams. Neil used this and followed his passion for theatre. Knox pursued the girl he loved. And the Todd eventually learned to be bold enough to speak up by breaking out of his shyness. However, Mr. Keating was viewed negatively for telling them to break free and not to conform, especially in the time period and the school that they were in. Being part of the "norm", and being just like everybody else was more expected than being unique individuals at Welton. When Neil killed himself because his parents would not let him be an actor and were dictating everything about his life, including sending him to military school and then medical school, they looked for someone to blame. Therefore, Mr. Keating and his advice to follow your passions and seize the day were considered the reason for Neil's suicide and Keating was fired. Then the boys were forced to testify against him. They were very saddened about their decision to turn against someone they respected and loved, and about following like sheep the orders of the school. Todd, who was initially the most shy of the group was the first to stand upon his desk and speak out as Mr. Keating was packing his belongings and leaving, protesting to him that they don't actually think it was his fault. The headmaster yelled at Todd, and told him to sit down and be quiet pretty much the same lesson they're taught every day except in Mr. Keating's class. But Todd stays on top of his desk, quoting Walt Whitman and saying, "farewell O Captain! My Captain!" which was a poem that they were taught by Mr. Keating prior to his dismissal. Then the other boys who were encouraged and influenced by Mr. Keating's lessons also found the courage to stand up and say goodbye, despite what the headmaster said, or the possible punishments. So I believe the central theme of  Dead Poet's Society was about seizing the day, making the most of your time before you die, and about being unique and following your passions and being unafraid to stand up for what you believe in.

Character Questions

1. Todd, because in the beginning of the story he was very shy and kept to himself, however by the end of the story he was no longer afraid to speak his mind and stand in front of others.

2. I think that the static characters where, Mr. Keating, Cameron, Neil's father and the school leaders. They are all static because they kept the same beliefs and personalities throughout the movie.

3. Mr. Keating is definitely a static character because he never changed the values that he believed even when others where opposing him and his personality was also never changed.

4. As stated Todd was very shy and easily intimidated by crowds and speaking in front of others However, by the end of the movie, Todd has found his voice by proving he could stand up and express himself when it really mattered. Todd was also the first to stand on the desk in respect for Mr. Keating. Neil was very passionate about acting but his father was not accepting of his acting dreams. When Neil overcame his fear of his father and performed in a play his father declared that Neil attend military school which led Neil to commit suicide. Knox was a dynamic, outgoing, and determined character. He did not really have any fears however, he was deeply in love with Chris and he finally convinced her to be with him. Charlie was very power driven and he didn't really any specific fear.

Mona Lisa Smile Questions

1. Discuss the role(s) of women in the 1950s as portrayed in the movie. How are they different from the view of Katherine Watson?

In the 1950's women were primarily expected to be servants and caretakers of the home. It was almost necessary for all women to learn proper housekeeping skills and to know how to do things such as, cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. If a woman did not know how to do these things then she would be viewed negatively. These roles are much different than the ideas that Katherine Watson had in the movie "Mona Lisa Smile". Katherine believed that young women should seek to achieve more for themselves and be more intelligent rather than just being normal housewives or servants. Her views were very contradicting to what was expected by society.

1. Katherine Watson was said to be "subversive". What is your understanding of this term?

I think to be subversive means to cause change or alternate certain ideas within an established system. For example, in the movie "Mona Lisa Smile," Katherine Watson's teaching methods and ideas completely contradicted the ideas already held by Wellesley Leaders. However, she continued to impose her unorthodox methods of teaching her art history class.