Dead Poets Society
"Tell them you are quitting"
1959. Welton Academy (Vermont, New England)
NEIL: "Father!"
MR PERRY: "Neil, you are going to quit this ridiculous play immediately," Mr Perry barked.
NEIL: "Father, I..."
Mr Perry jumped to his feet and pounded his hand on the desk.
MR PERRY: "Don't you dare talk back to me!" he shouted, "It's bad enough that you’ve wasted your time
with this absurd acting business. But you deliberately deceived me!"
5
10
15
20
He paced back and fourth furiously as Neil stood shaking in his shoes.
MR PERRY: "How did you expect to get away with this? Answer me!" he yelled. "Who put you up to
this? That Mr Keating?"
NEIL: "Nobody..." Neil stammered. "I thought I'd surprise you. I've gotten all As and..."
MR PERRY: "Did you really think I wouldn't find out? ‘My niece is in a play with your son...’ Mrs
Marks says. ‘You must be mistaken, I say. My son isn't in a play.’ You made a liar out of me, Neil. Now
you will go to rehearsal tomorrow and tell them you are quitting."
NEIL: "Father, I have one of the main parts," Neil explained. "The performance is tomorrow night, Father,
please..."
Mr Perry's face was white with rage. He moved toward Neil, pointing his finger.
MR PERRY: "I don't care if the world is coming to an end tomorrow night, you are through with that
play! Is that clear? IS THAT CLEAR?"
NEIL: "Yes, sir." It was all Neil could force himself to say.
Mr Perry stopped. He stared long and hard at his son.
MR PERRY: "I’ve made great sacrifices to get you here, Neil. You will not let me down."
Mr Perry turned and stalked out.
N. H. Kleinbaum, Dead Poets Society, 1989
First Reading
1. Find out about:
a. the time;
b. the place;
c. the two main characters (names; how they are related to each other);
d. the three other characters mentioned (names or relation).
2. Sum up the situation briefly using the following words: a play / angry / act (v.) / disapprove of /
want / quit.
READING AGAIN
1. Pick out two phrases (groups of words) relating to Neil's activity as seen by his father. What do
they reveal about his father's state of mind?
2. Pick out the words and phrases showing the different ways in which Mr Perry's anger is
expressed:
¾ one adverb (his mood);
¾ three verbs (his tone of voice);
¾ three phrases (his gestures or movements);
¾ two verbal phrases (his moves "on stage");
¾ one phrase (his countenance).
3. One verb and two phrases show how Neil feels and reacts to his father's words. Which ones?
What do they reveal about Neil?
4. What do the following words refer to in the context or in the situation: this (l. 9); them (l. 12);
here (l. 21)?
