109 Dead Poets Society Trivia Questions & Answers

Answer: Robin Williams

The role of Mr Keating was actually intended for Dustin Hoffman, who was also supposed to direct the movie before he withdrew his interest. Robin Williams was interested in playing the part so that he could portray the kind of teacher he always wished he had.

Answer: He whistles and walks out the door.

This first scene shows the difference between Mr. Keating and the rest of the faculty at the school. He does not introduce himself, or give them a schedule, or ask them to open their textbooks, but walks through the class and out the door, to teach his first lesson in the hallway. Two of the answers given are things he does later on, but they are not the first thing he did.

Answer: Walt Whitman

This is from Whitman's poem in praise of Abraham Lincoln, from the volume "Leaves of Grass". Whitman was born in 1819 in Long Island, and worked as a teacher and journalist, before having his poetry published.

Answer: Gloria and Tina

Gloria and Tina were brought to the cave by Charlie. Without being informed beforehand, the boys looked rather embarrassed and did not quite know what to say.

Answer: 5

The Chemistry teacher asked the boys to hand in a report every 5 weeks, and told them that the first 20 questions of chapter 1 were due tomorrow. Charlie and Knox had their eyes popped out in disbelief.

Answer: 51

This occurs at the very beginning of the movie when the headmaster is giving the opening speech to all the students.

Answer: John Keating

John Keating is the name of the inspiring English teacher played by Robin Williams in the Oscar-nominated film Dead Poets Society. Keating is known for his unorthodox teaching methods, which include encouraging his students to think for themselves and seize the day. His passion for literature and poetry inspires his students to pursue their dreams and break free from the constraints of society. The character of John Keating has become an iconic figure in cinema, representing the power of education and the impact that a great teacher can have on their students.

Answer: Oh Captain, My Captain

"Oh Captain, My Captain" is the name of a poem written by Walt Whitman. After this introductory scene with their new teacher, the boys find an old yearbook and learn that Mr Keating was in a club called the "Dead Poets Society" and they decide to start their own "DPS" club where they meet in a cave near the school at night, write and read poetry, play music and talk about life.

Answer: Seize the day

Teachers who tend to follow the idea of Carpe Diem tend to do things differently. For example, Mr. Keating, in an early scene, asks the students to turn to a certain page in their text book, and then asks them to rip it out. Well, it needn't be said that this does not go over very well with the administrators of the school. This saying was taken from a poem entitled "Odes" written by Horace (no last name) in 23 BC.

Answer: Walden

Thoreau abandoned the modern life of Massachusetts in the 1840s, and lived a frugal life in a log cabin near Walden Pond. His account of this was published as "Walden, or a Life in the Woods" although there is a popular misconception that the title is actually "On Walden Pond". The other two titles are also by Thoreau.
The movie quote slightly altered the word order, but the full quote was this: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion."

Answer: butt out

Todd tried to be defensive but failed. Neil was not going to leave him alone.

Answer: Mr. Nolan

Mr. Dolan plays a pivotal role to the firing of Mr. Keating.

Answer: Chemistry

His dad thought he needed to get ahead on his studies.

Answer: Neil Perry

Neil Perry is a character in the movie Dead Poets Society, played by actor Robert Sean Leonard. He is a student at the Welton Academy who is passionate about acting, but his father wants him to become a doctor. Neil's struggle to follow his dreams and his relationship with his strict father are central themes in the movie. The character of Neil Perry has become iconic in popular culture, representing the struggle of young people to find their own path in life. The movie itself was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has become a classic of American cinema.

Answer: Chris

Knox tries everything in his bag of tricks to get Chris to go out with him, including showing up at her school, giving her flowers and reciting a poem he'd written for her. She is initially embarrassed and angry and then shows up at his school to tell him off, but he again asks her out and eventually she agrees and he gets a date with his dream girl.

Answer: Be fluent with its meter, rhyme, and figures of speech

This is the page that Mr. Keating asks the students to rip out during the first class they have with him. In the ending scene, the stand-in teacher has a student read from his copy of the book, because all the pages were ripped out in their copies. The juxtaposition of the stand-in teacher praising J. Evans Pritchard as writing an excellent essay with Mr. Keating describing him as excrement shows a difference in perspective by the two teachers.

Answer: newer world

This is from Tennyson's poem "Ulysses". The final lines echo the film's main message, that we are "made weak by time and fate, but strong in will / To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." It's also significant that it is Neil who reads this out, as the poem's quest for something better than life, beyond this world, mirrors Neil's eventual fate.

Answer: Knox

Knox held Charlie back and said the words. But Charlie punched Cameron a minute later anyway.

Answer: Todd -- Knox -- Pitts -- Meeks

Todd was the first to stand up, followed by Knox, and then Pitts. Meeks, after another boy stood up, mustered up his courage and stood up too.