Dead Poets Society Summary
N.H. Kleinbaum

Dead Poets Society Overview

“Dead Poets Society” tells the story of a group of boys in their junior year of high school at a private boy’s school named Welton Academy. The story begins with the opening ceremonies for the school year. Todd Anderson is a new student, who is supposed to be following in his brother’s brilliant academic footsteps. Todd’s roommate is Neil Perry, a pleasant young man, whose future is mapped out for him by his father. A new English teacher challenges the boys to think for themselves, which causes conflicts between the boys and the tradition-bound dean of the school. The boys learn that Keating had a secret society called the Dead Poets Society when he attended the school. They establish a similar club. Between the club and Keating’s teachings, the boys learn to think for themselves and discover their personal interests. This leads to tragedy when Neil takes up acting. His father drags him from a triumphant performance and informs him that he will never act again. His father declares that Neil will be transferred to a military academy and from there will attend Harvard and become a doctor. In despair, Neil takes his life. Keating is blamed for the boy’s death, and all but Todd sign a paper stating that Keating is responsible for Neil’s death. When Keating returns to the English classroom for the last of his personal belongings, Todd leads others boys to stand on their desks in support for Keating.