The Dead Poets Society Irony This famous was the actual scene in the movie. This famous photo was not seen in the movie.

The Irony of the School’s Name The Dead Poets Society

Welton – the actual name of the school --well meaning good Helton – the name the students used for the school – hell being a place of misery and sinners The Dead Poets Society

The Irony of the Four Pillars The Dead Poets Society

The Four Pillars of Helton Horror Travesty Excrement Decadence of Welton Honor Tradition Excellence Discipline

The Four Pillars of Welton I. Honor - tell the truth, do the right thing - it was not honorable to force the boys to sign a “confession” that was not the truth II. Tradition - doing what has always been done -the traditional methods of teaching were not the best for the students-traditions that are hurtful are not honorable or excellent

The Four Pillars of Welton III. Excellence – doing thing well -it is not excellent to be unable to use the facts learned and think for yourself IV. Discipline - using control and following rules -it is not discipline to enforce or follow that which is wrong

The Four Pillars of Helton

I. Horror – a feeling of shock or fear caused by a death or horrible act - all involved felt the horror of Neil’s suicide II. Travesty – an unjust event that should not have happened - the firing of Mr. Keating was a travesty The Four Pillars of Helton

III. Excrement – a the solid waste of people and animals – use as a metaphor for something that is worthless -Mr. Keating describe the Welton curriculum was excrement IV. Decadence – acts of selfishness - when Welton used Mr. Keating as a scapegoat to save their reputation, they showed decadence The Four Pillars of Helton

The Irony of Charles Dalton The Dead Poets Society

Charles seemed to be the one who was the least honorable.

In the end, he was the only one of the students who did not sign the account blaming Mr. Keating for Neil’s suicide.

The Irony of Mr. McAllister The Dead Poets Society

I am “Not a cynic, a realist. Show me the heart unfettered by foolish dreams, and I'll show you a happy man.” “It (the lesson) was very fascinating, misguided though it was……”

Later Mr. McAllister is shown teaching his Latin class while walking in the court yard. Very different than the verb drills that was shown earlier.

The Irony of Neil Perry The Dead Poets Society

Neil seemed to understand carpe diem the best.

He didn’t.

The Irony of Todd Anderson The Dead Poets Society

“ Well, listen, Neil. …I-I'm not like you… You, you, you say things and people listen. I'm, I'm not like that.” The Dead Poets Society

“Don't you think you could be? “

“No! I--I, I don't know,”