Summary of "Dead Poets Society" by N.H. Kleinbaum

Setting

• Year: 1959
• Place: Welton Academy, a prestigious Vermont boarding school

Main Characters

• Todd Anderson: Shy new student from another school
• Neil Perry: Friendly student, lives with Todd, pressured by his father
• Richard Cameron: Strict rule-follower
• Charlie Dalton: Laid-back and reckless
• Knox Overstreet: Friend of Neil's
• John Keating: New English teacher, formerly a student at Welton

Plot Overview

Introduction

• The school year begins with the introduction of main characters.
• Todd Anderson is shy and reserved.
• Neil Perry faces pressure from his father to pursue a career in medicine.
• Richard Cameron adheres strictly to rules, while Charlie Dalton loves breaking them.
• Knox Overstreet falls for Chris Noel, the girlfriend of a family friend's son.

Keating's Arrival

• John Keating's unorthodox teaching methods captivate students.
• Keating emphasizes "Carpe Diem" (seize the day), urging students to lead extraordinary lives.
• Neil discovers Keating was part of "The Dead Poets Society," a group that read poetry in a cave.

Formation of New Dead Poets Society

• Inspired by Keating, Neil revives the Dead Poets Society with Knox, Cameron, Charlie, and Todd.
• The group meets regularly in a cave to read poetry and embrace the philosophy of "Carpe Diem."

Individual Growth

• Keating helps Todd overcome his shyness and write a poignant poem.
• Neil, inspired by Keating, gets the lead role of Puck in a local production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Consequences of Seizing the Day

• Charlie's rebellious article advocating for co-education leads to punishment.
• Knox's infatuation with Chris leads to a risky confrontation at a party.

Climax

• Neil's father forbids him from acting; Neil lies to Keating about getting permission.
• Neil performs brilliantly, but his father decides to send him to military school.
• Unable to cope, Neil commits suicide.

Aftermath

• The Dead Poets Society is exposed; Keating is blamed for Neil's death.
• Nolan, the Headmaster, coerces students into signing a document accusing Keating of corrupting them.
• Keating is fired; students show their support by emulating Keating's desk-standing gesture.

About the Author: Nancy Kleinbaum

• Education: Studied English at Northwestern University
• Career: Freelance writer/journalist, known for novelizations like "Dead Poets Society"
• Current Work: Writes for various newspapers, lives in New York with her family