BOOK REVIEW OF DEAD POETS SOCIETY

WRITTEN BY N.H. KLEINBAUM

A FINAL PROJECT

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement

For S-1 Degree in Literature

In English Department, Faculty of Humanities

Diponegoro University

Submitted by:

Linda Dwi Ariyani

13020111140130

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY

SEMARANG

2015

1
 PRONOUNCEMENT

The writer states truthfully that this final project is compiled by her

without taking any results from other researches in S-1, S-2, and S-3 and in

diploma degree of any universities. In addition, the writer ascertains that she does

not take the material from other publications or someone’s work except for the

references mentioned.

Semarang,16 September 2015

Linda Dwi Ariyani

2
 MOTTO AND DEDICATION

No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other

words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday.

Alexander Pope

This final project is dedicated to my beloved parents

3
 APPROVAL

Approved by,

Project Advisor,

Drs. Siswo Harsono, M. Hum

NIP. 196404181990011001

4
 VALIDATION

Approved by,

Strata 1 Final Project Examination Committee

Faculty of Humanities Diponegoro University

On Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Chair Person, First Member

Dra. Lubna Achmad Sungkar, M.Hum. Dra. Astri Adriani Allien, M.Hum.

NIP. 195211081986032001 NIP. 196006221989032001

Second Member Fourth member

Dra. R. Aj. Atrinawati, M.Hum. Dra. Cut A.Puan Ellisafny, M.Ed.

NIP. 19610101199001200 NIP. 195510031978122001

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The writer would like to acknowledge her greatest to God who always

gives blessing and strength so this final project on “Book Review of Dead Poets

Society Written by N.H.Kleinbaum” came to a completion. On this occasion, the

writer would like to thank all those people who have contributed to the

completion of this final project.

The deepest appreciation and gratitude is extended to Drs. Siswo Harsono,

M.Hum., the writer’s advisor, who has given his continued guidance, helpful

correction, moral support, advice, suggestion, and constructive discussion,without

which it is doubtful that this final project came into completion.

The writer’s deepest thank also goes to the following:

1. Dr. Redyanto Noor, M.Hum as the Dean of Faculty of Humanities

Diponegoro University.

2. Sukarni Suryaningsih, S.S., M.Hum., as the Head of English

Department.

3. All of the writer’s respectful lecturers, all staff in Academic Section,

Administration Staff, and the Librarian in Faculty of Humanities,

Diponegoro University.

4. The writer’s family, including parents Mr. Slamet Riyadi and Ms.

Sulastri, and my brother Dedy Eko Wibowo for their endless love,

motivation, prayers and best support through all this time, and all the

extended family.

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 5. All friends from the English Department program 2011, especially

class E,( Meilina, Dyah Intan, Uswatun, Dewi, Yussy, Bogi, Aldeana,

Sandra, Zee, Vera, Azza, Zahro, Nina, Ruth, Novieta, Novindia and

others) for giving the writer a true inspiration, an endless support, and

a memorable lesson of life.

6. All the writer’s close friends, especially ( Fery Gustavip, Devi Ika,

Dhimas Danti, Rina HW, Maria, Tari, Koko, Netty, Sinta, Chery, Icha

and Erike )

7. All the people who come into her life and have helped the writer

during the process of conducting this final project whose names are

not mentioned here. Thank you very much.

The writer realizes that this final project is still far from perfect.

She,therefore, will be thankful to receive any constructive criticism and

recommendation to make this final project better.

Finally, the writer expects that this final project will be useful to the reader

who hunts something about the true meaning of time in life from the novel.

Semarang,16 September 2015

Linda Dwi Ariyani

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 TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE...................................................................................................................... i
PRONOUNCEMENT............................................................................................. ii
MOTTO AND DEDICATION.............................................................................. iii
APPROVAL............................................................................................................iv
VALIDATION........................................................................................................ v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..................................................................................... vi
TABLE OF CONTENT....................................................................................... viii
1. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................... 1
2. SUMMARY OF THE NOVEL .................................................................... 2
3. REVIEW OF DEAD POETS SOCIETY…………........................................ 5
3.1. Cover Analysis …..………………………..................................... 5
3.1.1. Front Cover Analysis of Dead Poets Society..............................….5
3.1.2. Back Cover Analysis of Dead Poets Society……...........................6
3.2. Intrinsic Analysis of of Dead Poets Society....................................7
3.2.1. Theme..............................................................................................7
3.2.2. Plot...................................................................................................8
3.2.3. Characters........................................................................................9
3.3. The Strengths of N.H. Kleinbaum’s of Dead Poets Society..........12
3.4. The Weaknesses of N.H. Kleinbaum’s of Dead Poets Society......12
4. CONCLUSION............................................................................................13
REFERENCES
APPENDIX

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 Book Review of Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum

1. Introduction

Generally, people are dragged to do something useful. They plan for better

future. Therefore, they enter formal education. There are two methods of formal

education; conventional and non-conventional. The conventional teaching

methods are usual way of our formal education. The students are given tasks,

material, and exercise. In other way, the non-conventional teaching methods place

teacher only as the facilitator. The students are left in order to be more active in

having part in the class.

Dead Poets Society tells about the story of non-conventional teaching methods

that is done by the one of teacher at Welton Academy. He is John Keating. He

teaches the students about the freedom to express their ideas in literature. The

literary works that is taught by John Keating is the literary works of poets who

have died.

The novel was written by N.H.Kleinbaum. Nancy H. Kleinbaum was born in

1948. She was an American author. She became popular through her first novel

entitled Dead Poets Society. It is based on Tom Schulmann´s filmscript of the

same title and published in 1989. The literary writings of N. H. Kleinbaum are

Dead Poets Society, Doctor Dolittleand His Animal Family, Voyages of Doctor

Dolittle, and Doctor Dolittle Meets the Pushmipullyu.

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 The reason why the writer chooses to review this novel is because it has many

moral values of education. It is also so motivating. The author gives an example

about the struggle of an English teacher who wants to create creativity among his

students in the English literature. The novel also introduces a new method of

study, which focuses in creativity, that gets the writer interested. The review of

the writer is used to show the strengths and weaknesses of the novel.

2. Summary of N.H. Kleinbaum’s Dead Poets Society

In the beginning of the story in this novel, there was an orientation meeting at

Welton Academy. Mr. Gale Nolan as the principal gave a speech to all students.

He gave a speech about the four pillars in Welton Academy. The four pillars were

made up of tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence. At that time, Mr. Gale

Nolan also introduced a substitute English teacher, Mr. John Keating and a new

student named Todd Anderson to all students.

A few days later, Todd Anderson began to recognize his friends. They are

Neil Perry, Charlie Dalton, Knox Overstreet, Steven Meeks, Richard Cameron,

and Pitts. The first day of school, the students got English language lessons taught

by Mr. John Keating. He gave a teaching method that is different from other

teachers. He gave non-conventional teaching method. This is obvious when Mr.

John Keating jumped on his desk and shouted "O Captain! My Captain '. He

wanted his students to call 'O Captain My Captain' to him. This quotation was

taken from a poem by Walt Whitman titled Abraham Lincoln. Then, Mr. John

Keating invited the students to Welton Honor Room. He explained about one of

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Latin term, “Carpe Diem”, in the poems. The term means ‘take the opportunity to

make life extraordinary’.

One day, Neil Perry found the yearbook of John Keating. The book explained

that Mr. Keating had been a member of Dead Poets Society at Welton Academy.

After that, Neil asked about Dead Poets Society to Mr. John Keating. Dead Poets

Society was a secret organization that had activity in reading poems of Shelley,

Thoreau, Whitman, and their own poem. They read the poem one by one in an old

cave. Then, Neil and his friends revived the poem reading activitiy in Dead Poets

Society.

The next morning, Mr. John Keating gave lessons on understanding the poem

by Dr. J. Evan Pritchard, PhD for their students. He told his students to rip some

parts of the book. Some other examples of teaching methods by Mr. John Keating

was rising above the table. It was intended to remind the students that they had to

look at things differently. He said that if the students were sure with something,

they had to maintain it. He also taught the students to have the principle of 'Carpe

Diem' or Seize the day.

The next day, Mr.Keating asked all students to read their poetry. None of the

students were willing to come in front of the class. Then, Mr. John keating asked

Todd Anderson to read his poems. Todd felt unconfident but Mr. John Keating

assured him. Mr. John Keating asked Todd to describe Whitman’s character with

his own imagination, which then was appreciated by Mr.John Keating.

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 One night, the members of the Dead Poets Society gathered at the cave except

Neil and Cameron. At this meeting, Todd dared to read his own poems. The next

day, Welton Academy was shocked by the death of Neil Perry. Neil committed

suicide with a gun because his father forbade him to do role playing. After the

funeral of Neil, Cameroon complained to Mr. Gale Nolan about Dead Poets

Society and about the teaching methods given by Mr. John Keating. Mr. Gale

Nolan assume that teaching methods of Mr. Keating was wrong. This was because

these methods encouraged students to do things considered as reckless behavior

and pleasure. He also said that Mr. Keating encourages Neil Perry to do role

playing. At the end of the story, Mr. Gale Nolan fired Mr. Keating in a not

respectful way. All members of the Dead Poets Society stood on the table, for the

departure of Mr. John Keating.

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3. Review of Dead Poets Society

3.1 Cover Analysis

3.1.1 Front Cover Analysis of Dead Poets Society

The picture of John Keating and his students are used as a cover of the Dead

Poets Society. This novel has 166 pages. It has the size of a book as the

pocketbook. There are several symbols that are used to describe the illustration

picture, quotation on the cover and the title. Firstly, the illustration of picture

shows that there is a teacher who is wearing a white shirt and a tie. The teacher is

being raised by students who are wearing shirts as well. It shows that there is no

boundaries between teachers and students as well. Actually, the teacher wears the

formal uniform. However, in this novel Mr.Keating looks so simple and casual.

In the front cover, John Keating represents as a non-conventional teacher

and his students as the products of his teaching. Secondly, there are two

quotations on the front cover of Dead Poet Society. Those are "He was their

inspiration” and “He made their lives extraordinary”. The word ‘He’ in the

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quotation refers to John Keating. He was made as a source of inspiration for the

students because of his creativity. Todd Anderson is one of his students that has

been inspired by John Keating. During the school time, Todd is very shy and does

not like literature. However, John Keating always assures him to express his

ideas. Therefore, Todd can be able to express his idea and make poems. Thirdly,

the title of the novel that is Dead Poets Society is written by N.H.Kleinbaum. She

wants to evoke literary poets who has died.

3.1.2 Back Cover Analysis of Dead Poets Society

”Todd Anderson and his friends at Welton Academy can hardly believe how
different life is since their new English professor, the flamboyant John
Keating, has challenged them to “make your lives extraordinary!”Inspired
by Keating, the boys resurrect the Dead Poets Society--- a secret club
where, free from constraints and expectations of school and parents, they let
their passions run wild. As Keating turns the boys on to the great words of
Byron, Shelley, and Keats, they discover not only the beauty of language,
but the importance of making each moment count.
But the Dead Poets Pledges soon realize that their newfound freedom can
have tragic consequences. Can the club and the individuality it inspires
survive the pressure from authorities determined to destroy their dreams.”

Actually, the Welton Academy is a competent school which upholds the

values of decency, the highest standards of work, and formal classrooms. Welton

Academy is located in the United States. The quotation on the back cover of

Dead Poets Society describes the life of Todd Anderson and his friends who

become different since the arrival Mr. John Keating at Welton Academy. They are

free to express their ideas, even if it creates conflict in their environment. John

Keating inspires his students at Welton Academy. Therefore, the students revive a

secret club, Dead Poets Society. It makes them become independent in thinking.

John Keating teaches poetry of Byron, the poetry of Shelley, and the poetry of

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Keats. These three poets have similarity with Mr. John Keating. The similarity

between Mr. John Keating and the three poets are the using of non-conventional

method. It is like the method taught by Mr. John Keating at Welton Academy. Mr.

John Keating learns from the experiences of those three poets, which are

ultimately poured on his students.

3.2 Intrinsic Analysis of Dead Poets Society

In this study, the writer will focus on the intrinsic elements of this book

because it is the major aspect for getting a brief description of a novel. The writer

will elaborate a brief definition and explanation by reviewing the intrinsic

elements in Dead Poets Society novel deeply. The intrinsic elements that will be

discussed in this study are theme, plot, and character.

3.2.1 Theme

The theme of any literary work is the main, underlying idea of a piece of

literature. The theme of Dead Poets Society is an education which is based on

non-conventional teaching method. This is proved by the non-conventional

teaching by John Keating to his students in Welton Academy. The method is to

teach the students to chase their own dreams. Mr. Keating also wants to raise the

creativity of students in english literature. Carpe Diem or seize the day is a

principle used by John keating, which is different from other teachers do.We can

see the quotation below:

“He stopped. “Gather ye rosebunds while ye may,’” Keating repeated. “ The

Latin term for that sentiment is Carpe Diem. Does anyone know what that
means?”
“Carpe Diem, “Meeks, the Latin scholar, said. “Seize the day.”

15
 “Very good, Mr....?”
“Meeks.”
”Seize the day,” Keating repeated. Why does the poet write these lines?”
(Kleinbaum, 1989: 25)

John Keating also uses the principle ‘Carpe Diem’ to motivate the students.

It is proved by the statement of John keating to the sudents, to chase their dreams.

We can see the quotation below:

“You must strive to find your own voice, boys, and the longer you wait to
begin, the less likely you are to find it at all.” (Kleinbaum, 1989:61)

The quotation above states that John keating motivates the students. The

word ‘Voice’ in the quotation means as a self identity to reach dream. John

Keating gives them advice to reach their dream as soon as possible because if they

are not quickly, they will never get it.

3.2.2 Plot

Perrine says that plot is “the sequence of incidents or events of which a

story is composed” (Perrine, 1987: 41). Dead Poets Society uses the forward plot.

This is proved when the first time Mr Gale Nolan introduces John Keating in

Welton Academy. Then, John becomes a substitute teacher of english. In the end

of the story, he is nonrespectfully fired by Gale Nolan from Welton Academy

because John Keating is considered as the reason why Neil Perry commits suicide.

The arrangement of that plot is chronological, so it is called forward plot.

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3.2.3 Characters

The Character is a verbal representation of a human being through action,

speech, description, and commentary of authors. Dead Poets Society uses two

types of characters. They are the protagonist and the antagonist characters.

(1) Protagonist is the main character in a story, novel, drama, or other

literary work.

(2) Antagonist is a character who becomes the opposite of the main

character (protagonist). Antagonist will argue, across, and try to shatter

protagonist. (As proposed by Laurence Perrine in her book The

Elements of Fiction, 1987:66)

The protagonist in this novel are John Keating and Todd Anderson.

Meanwhile, the antagonist is Mr. Gale Nolan. In this paper, the writer will discuss

the three characters. They are Todd Anderson, John Keating and Mr. Gale Nolan.

(1) Todd Anderson

Todd Anderson are not confident and shy. This is proved by the quotation of

Gale Nolan that suggests Todd to choose football as the extracurricular activity.

Actually, Nolan knows that Todd has the potential but Todd declines it because

Todd is not confident. We can see the quotation below:

Mr. Anderson, based on your record at Balincrest: soccer, Service Club,

school annual. Anything else I should know about?
Todd stood silent. He struggled to say something, but the words just
wouldn’t come out.

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 Speak up, Mr. Anderson,”Nolan said.
...Todd tried to speak again. “ I...did...but...” he whispered. Beads of sweat
broke out on his brow, and he clenched his hands so tightly his knuckles
turned white. As the other boys stared at him, Todd fought back
tears.(Kleinbaum, 1989: 11-12)
Furthermore, Todd is shy . It proves when John Keating asks Todd to read

his own poem. Todd is so desperate because he thinks he cannot read it well. We

can see the quotation below:

“Look at Mr. Anderson. In such agony. Step up, and let’s put you out of
your misery.”The students all eyed Todd. He stood nervously and walked
slowly to the front of the class, his face the mask of a condemned man on
his way to execution.(Kleinbaum, 1989: 74)

(2) Mr. John Keating

Mr. John Keating is a confident person. He is able to make his students

confidence and change their thinking. He creates a method of teaching to be more

attractive so his students can express their ideas. This is proven when he stand up

on a table. We can see the quotation below:

“I stand on my desk to remind myself that we must constantly force

ourselves to look at things differently. The world looks different from up
here. If you don’t believe it, stand up here and try it. All of you. Take turns.”
(Kleinbaum, 1989: 60)
John Keating as a confident person is also shown when he stand up on a

table and shouts ‘O Captain! My Captain !’. The quotation is taken from a poem

titled Abraham Lincoln. John Keating is similar to Abraham Lincoln. They love

human freedom. Therefore, John Keating use the teaching method that gives

freedom to the students to think more creative . We can see the quotation below:

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 He jumped dramatically onto his desk and turned to face the class. “’O
Captain! My Captain!’” he recited energitally, the looked around the room.
“Who knows where that’s from? Anybody? No?” He looked piercingly at
the silent boys. No one raised a hand. “ It was written, my young scholars,”
he said patiently,”by a poet named Walt Whitman about Abraham Lincoln.
In this class you may refer to me as either Mr. Keating or ‘ O Captain My
Captain!’”(Kleinbaum, 1989: 24)

(3) Mr. Gale Nolan

Dead Poets Society, Mr. Gale Nolan is not an open minded people. He is a

figure who is antagonist because he strongly opposes the teaching methods which

are done by Mr. John Keating. He always holds the four pillars in Welton

Academy. He wants all teachers to teach the appropriate subject matter in the

curriculum for college. It does not like Mr. Keating who tells his students to

deviate the rules of the school. We can see the quotation below:

“John, the curriculum here is set. It’s proven. It works. If you question it,
what’s to prevent them from doing the same?”
“I always thought education was learning to think for yourself,” Keating
said.
Nolan laughed. “At these boys ages ? Not on your life! Tradition, John!
Discipline. “He patted Keating on the on the shoulder patronizingly.
“Prepare them for college, and the rest will take care of itself.” ( Kleinbaum,
1989: 109)

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3.3 The Strengths of N.H. Kleinbaum’s Dead Poets Society

There are some strengths that are found by the writer based on the intrinsic

elements. Firstly, from the theme aspect, N.H. Kleinbaum succeeds to make this

novel become an inspiring novel. It shows a journey of John Keating who always

make the teaching methods of literature more interesting. He pushes the students

to think free and creative. Secondly, the story uses the forward plot. Every event

in the story happens chronologically which makes it easier for the readers to

follow the plot.

3.4 The Weaknesses of N.H. Kleinbaum’s Dead Poets Society

The weaknesses of Dead Poets Society is the character aspect. The author

tells too much about the additional figures, so that the readers may be confused in

determining the main character in this novel. There are many stories that are not

concerned with this main character. It may cause the readers bored with this

novel.

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4. Conclusion

Dead Poets Society is one of many novels that are being successfully

adapted into a movie. In this book, there are many positive messages that are

expressed by the author to the reader such as the non-conventional teaching

method, which is able to make the students more creative and expressive. Dead

Poets Society is a novel that is written by N.H. Kleinbaum, an American author.

This book tells about a journey of an English literature teacher who provides non-

conventional teaching methods in literature.

The study shows that there are some intrisic elements that are analyzed in this

novel. They are theme, plot, and characters. The review of the writer is used to

show the strengths and weaknesses of the novel. The strengths of the novel are

theme and plot aspect. The weakness of the novel is the character aspect.

The analysis of the cover being one of important things in reviewing this

novel. This is because the cover can affect the reader to read a novel. They can be

viewed at a glance without reading it. In this study, the writer analyzes the front

cover of the novel from the illustration of picture, the quotation and the title.

Besides, the writer also analyzes the back cover of the novel from the synopsis

that is shown in this novel.

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 REFERENCES

“Biography Lord Byron”.<http://www.biography.com/people/lord-byron-

21124525#last-heroic-adventure,download, 21 May, 2015>.
“Biography Percy Bysshe Shelley”.<http://www.biography.com/people/percy-
bysshe-shelley-9481527#related-video-gallery,download, 21 May, 2015>.
“Biography Jonk Keats”.<http://www.biography.com/people/john-keats-
9361568#final-years, download, 21 May, 2015>.
Kleinbaum, N.H. Dead Poets Society. United States : Penguin Books, 1989.
Perrine, Laurence. The Elements of Fiction. United States: Harcourt College
Publishers,1987.

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 APPENDIX

1. Author: N.H. Kleinbaum

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2. Cover of the Novel: Dead Poets Society

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