O Captain, my Captain! | Thank you to Robin Williams (HD)

Summary

In this excerpt from the film 'Dead Poets Society', Mr. Keating challenges his students to rethink their approach to poetry. He emphasizes the importance of understanding a poem's meter, rhyme, and figures of speech, and encourages the students to ask two questions: How artfully is the poem's objective rendered? And how important is that objective? The scene shifts when Mr. Keating's unconventional teaching methods clash with the school's administration, leading to a confrontation where his students rally behind him, expressing their defiance with the iconic 'O Captain, My Captain!'

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of poetry is being questioned and explored, especially in a classroom setting.
• 😀 The teacher presents the idea that understanding poetry requires fluency in meter, rhyme, and figures of speech.
• 😀 Two key questions are introduced to evaluate poetry: How artfully is the objective rendered? How important is the objective?
• 😀 The first question evaluates the perfection of the poem, while the second measures its importance.
• 😀 The teacher suggests that once the two questions are answered, determining a poem's greatness becomes easier.
• 😀 The transcript hints at conflict and tension between students and authority figures in the classroom.
• 😀 A graph is referenced to visualize the score for perfection in evaluating poetry.
• 😀 The interaction between Mr. Keating and the students, particularly Todd and Mr. Anderson, suggests a struggle for freedom of expression.
• 😀 Mr. Keating faces opposition from the school authority, shown through demands for him to leave and warnings to the students.
• 😀 The iconic line 'O Captain, my Captain!' is used, symbolizing respect for Mr. Keating and his unorthodox teaching methods.
• 😀 The environment in the classroom is one of rebellion and conflict, with the students' emotional responses highlighting the clash between individuality and authority.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the script?

The central theme of the script revolves around the tension between the strict, traditional education system and the unconventional, free-thinking teaching style of Mr. Keating, who challenges students to think for themselves and question authority.

What does Dr. Evans Pritchard's teaching about poetry emphasize?

Dr. Evans Pritchard emphasizes the importance of understanding poetry through its meter, rhyme, and figures of speech. He also suggests evaluating poetry by asking two questions: How artfully has the poem's objective been rendered, and how important is that objective?

How does Mr. Keating challenge the educational norms in the script?

Mr. Keating challenges educational norms by encouraging his students to think critically, embrace creativity, and question traditional approaches to learning, in contrast to the rigid structure presented by authority figures like Dr. Pritchard.

What is the significance of the phrase 'O Captain, my captain!' in the script?

'O Captain, my captain!' is a famous poem by Walt Whitman, symbolizing respect, admiration, and mourning. In this script, it represents the students' emotional rebellion and their gratitude toward Mr. Keating, who inspired them to think for themselves.

What role does Mr. Anderson play in the script?

Mr. Anderson, a student in the script, is initially influenced by the traditional educational system. He eventually becomes more confident and starts to embrace Mr. Keating's free-thinking approach, even standing up for him during moments of conflict.

Why does the teacher ask the students to rate the 'perfection' and 'importance' of the poem?

The teacher asks the students to rate the poem based on its perfection (how well the objective is rendered) and its importance (the significance of the poem's theme). This helps in objectively analyzing and evaluating poetry.

How does the conflict between Mr. Keating and the school's administration unfold in the script?

The conflict intensifies when the school's administration, represented by figures like Mr. Overstreet, pushes for conformity and discipline, while Mr. Keating encourages individuality and intellectual freedom. This leads to a clash, culminating in Mr. Keating being dismissed from the school.

What is the reaction of the students to Mr. Keating's dismissal?

The students react emotionally to Mr. Keating's dismissal, with some of them, particularly Todd Anderson, expressing their support for Keating by chanting 'O Captain, my captain!' as a sign of defiance and respect.

Why is the page about poetry ripped out in the beginning of the script?

The ripped page symbolizes the disconnection between traditional educational methods and the new, more progressive approach introduced by Mr. Keating. It sets the stage for the conflict between rote learning and a more meaningful, passionate understanding of the subject.

What does Mr. Keating's final warning to the students signify?

Mr. Keating's final warning highlights his struggle against the administration's oppressive control and the students' growing tension between conformity and the urge to express themselves freely, ultimately leading to his departure from the school.