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Day 4 Assignment
Reply to post your assignment.
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14 Replies
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What I learned is to occasionally list the change agent or mentor before the protagonist or transformable character and to reconsider the meaning of betrayal in terms of old and new ways since it presents opportunities for lying, and therefore subtext.
The change agent is Dr. Joan La Roche, Jake’s mother, whom he helps when she gets COVID. She is so impressed with his treatment that she invites him to accompany her on house calls, learn about medicine, and train as an EMS technician. As she gets Alzheimer’s it is as if she is slowly giving her brain and experience to her son. Another change agent is Litonya Lenape, a Native American geologist, who becomes Jake’s wife and the mother of his baby Jesse, after his best friend, her husband, and his parents die of COVID, circumstances that teach him how to love his family and nature.
Jake’s through line is that he wants so much to continue his career as a fitness star he is forced to change from a narcissistic, needy performer to a health care professional who listens and loves.
The oppression that challenges Jake’s trajectory is personified or rather “eco-ified” by the magma monsters, the igneous rocks of the Palisades, because they understand and can forecast both the climate catastrophes on the macro scale and the genetic mutations and cell breakdown that will give the characters terminal diseases. They communicate with the reader or viewer from the beginning, something that will enhance suspense because some of the characters don’t know. Litonya could always communicate with rocks throughout the three novels but Jake learns because of her and tries to bargain but this oppression isn’t completely omnipotent.
The betrayal could be Leo Curtis aka Boat Bob, who starts off as a narcissistic needy serial killer rapist arsonist who pretends to transform into a helpful, hard-working super clean senior who helps the kids with their eco boats but secretly continues his evil ways until Jake throws him overboard around Plot Point two. I never liked this guy, who was based on the real Curtis now in Sing Sing and a homeless guy I met in NYC, so I am having trouble with his through line. He must be more connected to Jake’s plot. Ibrahim al Harbi is a Saudi billionaire with a long history throughout the trilogy and he may also betray Jake. He is connected to the COVID bioweapon plot, designed to get rid of the old, weak, fat, and hyper, and to restructure the economy away from fossil fuels. The Green motive is great but Jake could call him on what he did to the vulnerable. Ibrahim’s oppression is silent and connected to a complex network of Big Pharma and High Tech in many countries, not just China, the Kingdom, US etc. Without dumbing down or deleting, I must find a way to weave these plots into the oppression and betrayal because these characters are important in the first two novels.
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Day 4A Assignment
“What I learned doing this assignment is…I have to add a betraying Character. Who will be Judas?
The further adventures of transforming our characters
Heather’s comments on the characters in ‘Into the Mist’
ASSIGNMENT 1:
Even if you are not completely sure about which characters are which, give us your current GUESS about these four roles.
Tell
us your transformational journey logline.2. Canada 1886: Andrew McKinnon, infamous sea captain, must change everything he believes about himself to tackle the mystical British Columbia coastline and lead a handful of adventurers to the first Klondike gold claim.
Tell
us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about
how that character fits the role. Also, include:- Their vision: - Their past experience
that fits that vision:Jian Min, an elderly Chinese diplomat, is the change agent. Why? He is the polar opposite of Andrew: a man schooled in Martial arts discipline and philosophy, who practices the Buddhist faith. “Death is just a journey to enlightenment”. “Fight with Honor, even worms have a place in the world.”
Instead of being received with respect, he is treated with the same contempt all the Chinese railway migrants are faced with in Canada, an expensive head tax, refugee camps and white superiority. Yet he doesn’t react with anger the way Andrew does; he tries to make peace. He teaches Andrew how to over come his anger, to see beauty in the world around him, and if he must fight, how to do it without injuring himself, and to do it with honor.
Tell
us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few
sentences about how that character or characters fit the role.The historical figure of Capt. Andrew James McKinnon (AJ Kayll – name changed at the request of the family)) also know as “Hurricane Andrew” because of his temper. He had a hellish past, being captured as a cabin boy at the age of 10 by pirates and sold to the Ottomans. Being big for his age, they put him in a fighting ring where he stayed until his Captain found him and bought his freedom.
He came out with a formidable temper and had trouble keeping it under wraps. It got him into a lot of trouble. His unhappy outlook on life “you win the fight any way you can”, “He was an animal, let the animals deal with him”, didn’t win him many friends. He needed to change in order to bring his daughter to Canada, because he couldn’t do it alone.
The one challenge he has to overcome is: he sees himself as unworthy of a life of happiness, because of all the past mistakes he’s made.
5. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story.
The oppression could be the entire country of Canada, the antagonistic people, the environment, and the wild animals the party encounter on their journey.
Or
The oppression could be the Characters of Big Dan, Andrew’s Old nemesis who raped his wife and Red Seamus Fogarty the Pirate/Slaver of the Bean Nighe.
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Can one have more than one oppression?
Tell
us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few
sentences about how that character fits the role.Betraying Character? OMG, I don’t have a betraying character. Do I have to add one??? Who was the betraying character in the Matrix? Oh wait, the guy that killed everyone when they were in the stream…
Crap. I need a betraying character.
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Love your story Heather. I was born in Montreal but my siblings now live in British Columbia. Revisiting history from a diversity point of view is timely now that Canada is reeling from the indigenous murders. It is easier to film this kind of period piece because nature continues to pound and pummel the coast and light up the forests no matter what year it is. I too had to think about betrayal but betrayal is everywhere in your story. The problem is that those who betray lie so it may be hard to find them at first.
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I wish I could work the residential schools in there somewhere, but it’s just too touchy right now. There are even subjects I have to be so careful not to mention about Native traditions. I’m just very lucky to have good friends connected to several Peoples to advise me on these things so I can be as respectful as possible.
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Julia’s Lead Characters
What I learned: I need a betraying character! And I need an Oppression! And a Change Agent…here’s what I came up with so far. Brainstorming continues.
1. Tell us your transformational journey logline.
A demanding Manhattan editor (Jackie Mack – this name is a placeholder) must teach memoir writing to a group of senior citizens (mandated community service hours for losing her temper in a parking lot & smashing her cart into someone’s car).
2. Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. Also, include:
– Their vision:
– Everyone in the group gets to tell their story to someone who needs to hear it (road trip? Reading? Publication/celebration?)
– Everyone’s story is equally important
– The life in front of us is beautiful
– Their past experience that fits that vision:
– Spent many years hiding relationship, pretending to live a straight life
– Now partner is dying (GLBT) and they finally want to have their wedding/tell their story to the world before it’s too late
– or spent years in “Indian” boarding school learning to hide/repress experiences
– or secretly Jackie’s birth mother
3. Tell us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role.
Demanding Manhattan editor. Nothing’s good enough for her – compelled to “edit” everything around her. Used to working with A-list writers; will have a hard time appreciating/drawing out stories from these elderly students. She’s also having a hard time dealing with her life falling apart. That’s what got her into trouble/mandated community service in the first place.
4. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story.
I’m having trouble with this one!
Maybe:
– Jackie lose her job if she doesn’t sneak off soon
– they’re selling the camp to build bespoke condos (no more senior citizen camp) if they don’t raise $
– the students kidnap Jackie/make sure she stays at camp until she’s helped them get their stories out (or publish? Or …?(
5. Tell us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role.
Nancy – one of the group members never felt she was good enough – encourages a “friend” to tell her story, then steals it.
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This one was a toughie wasn’t it? Is your lead character writing a book and compiling all of the experiences from her clients into it? or just collecting food for thought from the stories she hears?
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Assignment 4 B Dead Poet Society
What
is the change this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of
this movie?<div>The movie is about a group of students in the 60’s studying with an English teacher who challenges them to become freethinkers in an environment of tradition and conformity.
The transformational journey follows the students as they begin to learn what they really want from their lives, and become brave enough to think for themselves.
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Lead
characters:Who
is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the
right character to cause the change?Keating is the Change agent. Teacher, wise old man figure in the story: carries knowledge the others don’t have, but want. (Like Gandolf or Obiwan Kenobi)
Who
is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what
makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?Todd Anderson is the Transformable Character. He is the one who has the longest journey to make, the one who comes in knowing nothing. And can therefore reflect the greatest change.
What
is the Oppression?The oppression is the rigid school system, but also society. The parents who believe they must live through their children and so sacrifice to provide the best for them whether they are happy about it or not.
How
are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with
this story?For me, I actually grew up in a system like this with parents very much like Neil’s. None of us wanted to be oppressed by authority in the 70’s. We were all striving to be freethinkers. Breaking the rules, getting grounded and punished was the norm. The movie captured it beautifully. My Mr. Keating was my acting teacher, Mr. Norman.
The writers found common ground with the audience. Okay, we didn’t read poetry in a cave, but hands up if you had some sort of secret club with your friends where you hung out and did ‘stuff’?
Looking
at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound
journey?Todd, Knox and the rest of the Dead Poets who stood on the desks. To some extent Neil’s parents got profoundly changed. Even Mr. Keating was changed.
From
“old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their
new way at the conclusion:Todd was an introvert, afraid to step forward and speak. He becomes the first one to salute Mr. Keating.
Knox lived in fear of showing his feelings. At the end he shows his feelings for Chris and Neil.
Neil’s parents were rigid in their expectations. They realise too late the effect their behavior has on their son.
Mr. Keating’s old behavior is nonconformist. It doesn’t change and he is punished for that. In the end his change is to accept that punishment but he sees his teaching reached his students.
What
is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character
go through as they were changing?Seize the day -> take a chance
Words can change the world
We must look at things from a different way
Strive to find your own voice
Stand up for others
How
is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main
character to shift their perspective…and make the change?They are challenged to walk their own ways instead of being sheep and following others.
Rip the pages of the book out, take a chance, Look at things your own way instead of the way it’s taught. Feel it instead.
Words can change the world.
“Being in the club means being stirred up by things.”
What
are the most profound moments of the movie?The whole scene where Neil’s father comes to the play and you just see the light in Neil’s eyes die. Then he kills himself. And the boy’s reaction to losing their friend who was so full of life.
The betrayal of Mr. Keating, when Todd realizes all the boys have turned against him to avoid being expelled.
What
are the most profound lines of the movie?“We are just food for worms, boys. Seize the day and make your life extraordinary.”
“Words can change the world.”
When Keating says to Todd “Don’t you forget this.”
“You’re playing the part of the dutiful son.”
“You’re not an indifferent servant.”
How
does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?Eloquently. You want to stand up and cheer for Mr. Keating because he did indeed make a difference in his students lives.
What
is the Profound Truth of this movie?<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Don’t be afraid to think differently. You can change the world.
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Christopher Carlson’s Lead Characters
6. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work).
What I learned doing this assignment has brought me to the challenging question of whether my Betraying Character and Change Agent Character could be one and the same character. Are there other examples of this?
1. Tell us your transformational journey logline.
After a deaf and blind woman falls in love with a hearing and sighted young men, she rebels against the expectations of her family and society by conspiring to fulfill her secret yearning to experience love and sexuality.
2. Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. Also, include:
Peter is the change agent. He doesn’t accepts the societal norms re handicapped people and believes that any person has the free will to love whomever they wish to love. He’s part of a younger generation that wants to loosen the binds containing and/or forbidding sexuality.
– Their vision:
– Their past experience that fits that vision:3. Tell us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role.
Helen is my Transformable Character. In general, she has accepted the strictures of the Victorian Era, in particular the notion that handicapped people not be encouraged to express sexuality. She accepts this notion in part because her mother has inscribed the societal norms in her mind, and her Teacher has discouraged relationships in general with any person who may threaten to displace Helen from her immediate reach.
4. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story.
The oppression is the societal prohibition against handicapped people having any sexual life of their own. The character’s mother strongly believes in this prohibition, and the character’s closest ally, her Teacher, has enforced it, not necessarily consciously, but because she’s threatened by the fear of losing her star pupil, Helen, to the world at large.
5. Tell us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role.
Ironically, I think my Betraying Character might be Peter, who is also my Change Agent character.
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4B: Christopher Carlson’s Analysis of DEAD POET’S SOCIETY
What is the change this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?
The change is about discovering one’s own path, regardless of what others may demand that you do.
The Transformational Journey begins with dependency and goes to independence.
Lead characters:Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?
The Change Agent is John Keating, the boys’ English teacher. He is the one endowed with experience and perspective, the perfect guide.
Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?
The Transformable Characters are the boys who comprise the Dead Poet’s Society.
What is the Oppression?
The Oppression is multi-layered: parents; the school and all its traditions; other teachers at the school; the peer group conforming to the rules of the school; finally, even Todd’s older brother, whom we never meet, is the star child in the family, someone impossible to live up to
How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?
I think we’re lured into the profound journey by a group of energetic young men who immediately make fun of the Welton school’s ‘Four Pillars’ after the Commencement ceremony. We as audience can also identify with Todd Anderson as a new arrival at the school and can learn about the school initiate experiences.
4. Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion:
Todd Anderson, a profound journey from being shy, reticent and inward to someone willing ultimately to defend Mr. Keating in front of Headmaster Nolan, at great risk to his future
Charlie Dalton, a profound journey from being an insider nicknamed ‘Slick’ and someone probably too full of himself for his own good to someone who completely embraces the command to seize the day, embracing his new nickname ‘Nuwanda’ and becoming someone who looks out for others
Knox Overstreet, a profound journey from a character who lacks the self-confidence to pursue the girl of his dreams to a character who is determined to declare his love against all odds, and in so doing, become someone willing to risk failure and rejection
Neil Perry, a profound journey from a son absolutely obedient to his demanding, tyrannical father to a young man willing to declare his real and true desires to that same tyrant, and readiness to die for those desires when his father rejects what he truly wants
What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?
Todd Anderson: not wanting to participate in any group activity; willing to go to Dead Poet’s Meeting but only if he isn’t required to talk; creating his first poem under Keating’s guidance;
Charlie Dalton: the leader of his peer group not wanting to appear foolish or naive; speaking a subversive poem from a Playboy centerfold at the Dead Poet’s Society meeting; bringing his sax to a meeting and playing spontaneous music; breaking new ground by bringing women to a Dead Poet’s Society meeting; giving himself a name ‘Nuwanda’ that embodies his new persona; writing an article for the school paper about the revolutionary idea of admitting women to the school, then acknowledging that he did it in an open assembly; willing to accept a painful paddling from the headmaster rather than give up the names of the others; indicting Cameron for betraying Keating and willing to punish him physically for his transgression
Knox Overstreet: willing to admit that he’s in love with Chris, a girl he just met but acknowledging it’s won’t ever go anywhere because she’s going out with the local high school’s star quarterback; attending a party being hosted at the home of the local quarterback, even though he knows Chris is going to be there with the quarterback; expressing himself with flowers and a poem at her school, thereby expressing himself despite knowing that he’s going to face ridicule and possible harm at the hands of the quarterback; insisting at all times that he loves her, despite not getting much positive feedback from Chris; asking Chris to come to the play with him with the proviso that if she rejects him after their evening together, he will accept her decision; daring to take her hand during the play
Neil Perry: resigning his yearbook editor position because his father thinks it will interfere with his schoolwork; deciding to audition for a school play; knowing that his father will disapprove, he writes his own permission slip and forges his father’s name; keeps up his top grades despites lots of rehearsal; constant enthusiasm for the Dead Poet’s Society and always encouraging his friends to pursue their passions, which is the very thing he’s trying to do; at Mr. Keating’s encouragement, telling his father the truth about wanting to do the play and how much it means to him; giving a great performance at the premier night, despite seeing his father in the audience
6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?
As the Change Agent, Keating is the primary advocate challenging the old ways — which represent how things have been done at the school for over a hundred years. He introduces his primary creed — carpe diem/seize the day – on the very first day of instruction while showing his students archival photographs of young men from the past, noting that the pictured boys had all the energies and dreams that they possess, and now they’re all dead and buried – “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.” This in itself causes an immediate change in the boys attitude toward their lives. Then, in each class, Keating puts them through actions — from standing atop a desk in the classroom in order to get a new perspective, to striking the soccer ball while yelling out a poetic phrase, to encouraging the boys to walk in the courtyard according to their own rhythm, which may well be different from everyone else’s rhythm, no matter. These exercise have one goal, which is to inspire his students to think for themselves.
What are the most profound moments of the movie?
So many profound moments, don’t know where to begin. Todd Anderson finding his voice in the classroom by creating a poem, and of course his final “O Captain! My Captain;” Charlie Dalton refusing to snitch on the Dead Poet’s Society to the Headmaster, and getting paddled unmercifully, refusing to bow down to the “old ways.” Despite that pain and humiliation, he remains “Nuwanda.” Knox Overstreet taking Chris’ hand during the play. Neil Perry placing his actor’s laurel wreath on the window sill, his farewell to the world.
8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
Carpe diem.
Damn it, Charlie – the name is Nuwanda.
How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
Each of the transformable characters has a moment to show us they are choosing the freedom to be themselves rather than submit to the Old Ways.
What is the Profound Truth of this movie?
The Profound Truth of this movie is that we are granted one life, which is fleeting, so be sure that in every moment you believe in what you’re doing, passionately, and not squandering time.
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4A. Cindi’s Lead Characters
What I learned doing this assignment is the importance of the betraying character because it makes a profound movie more powerful by showing how difficult it is for people to change. I am so eager to apply this model to other scripts I’ve written!
1. Tell us your transformational journey logline.
A resentful, overburdened daughter must fight the terror of her father’s Alzheimer’s-induced hallucinations (or possession by very real evil entities) until they both encounter empowering gifts and a previously unknown level of unconditional love.
2. Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. Also include their vision and their past experience that fits that vision.
I did not have a change agent character before this lesson, so it was interesting to think about how I could fit another character into this contained story.
*It could possibly be one of Joe’s caregivers, who has a vision and past experience with a former client who has passed away that blessed his life.
*It also could be one of Joe’s neighbors who owned his house, which is where the neighbor’s mother lived until she died from Alzheimer’s. But I think there is fear and trauma in the house from that woman’s illness.
*Since I have a main character who is sensitive to spirits, I’m wondering if the change agent might be “the man” or an ancestor (who had a similar past experience and has seen the big picture vision) who seems threatening, but is actually there to transform both Joe and Ellie’s experiences. The caregiver is logical but the ancestor is more intriguing to me. For now, let’s experiment with the ancestor. His vision is that his experience caring for his parent was a gift that transformed him and his life from regular to extraordinary by pushing him to discover his multisensory gifts. However, he didn’t see it for so long and he doesn’t want Ellie to suffer in the same unnecessary way. The ancestor also wants Ellie to access her gifts as a reward for her dedication.
3. Tell us who you think might be your Transformable character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role.
Ellie is the main transformable character because she grows from seeing her experience through the Old Ways to the New Ways. And even though it may come in bits and pieces of clarity, Joe also is a transformable character to the extent that his awareness allows him to be.
4. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story.
The Oppression in this story is Joe’s illness–Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, which produce hallucinations, personality changes, and fluctuating levels of lucidity and decline. The Oppression is always there, unrelenting, and creating a cloud of fear about the future for both Joe and Ellie. And in my story, being forced into lockdown together because of a murderer on the loose (who could possibly be Joe) creates an additional “pressure-cooker environment” for the characters in this particular story.
5. Tell us who might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role.
I had not thought about a betraying character at all prior to this lesson, but I love this part of the model. It could be Joe’s brothers who were constantly expressing their opinions he is worse than Ellie realizes and he needs to be in a nursing home and pressures her with guilt. And his brother who dies could continue this quest from the other side to prove he was right, irritating Joe at the worst possible moments to get him taken to a nursing home. But the truest betraying character might be Ellie’s sister, who just can’t make the leap from Old Ways to New Ways bc she is too busy and doesn’t want to be bothered and doesn’t want to feel that deeply. Or she might harbor resentments from childhood and this is her way of exacting revenge on Joe.
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4B. Cindi’s Analysis of DEAD POETS SOCIETY
1. What is the change this movie is about? What is the transformational journey of this movie? Keating teaches the boys to go from small lives of conformity to being free thinkers and captains of their own lives.
2. Lead Characters:
*Who is the change agent, the one causing the change, and what makes this the right char to cause the change?
Professor Keating causes the change. His knowledge of poetry and literature helps him to set the vision early on for the boys. “Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary. Find your own voice.” Because he’s a professor, they look up to him, and his unconventional ways endear him to them and make them admire him even more. This is what puts him in a position where he can influence the transformable chars. He teaches them with lectures and metaphors like marching in unison, standing on the desk to gain a new perspective, ripping out the poetry rules.
*Who is the transformable chars (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right char to deliver this profound journey?
All of the boys are, but Todd is the one who transforms the most because he’s so frightened and wanting to fit in early in the movie. In the end, he’s the one whose actions hold the most meaning because he’s changed the most. All the boys are at an age where they are vulnerable, an age where what they are learning now can most affect the rest of their lives and their level of happiness.
*What is the Oppression?
The school that teaches conformity, the parents, the headmaster, Neil’s father. Those who fear free thinking.
3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?
For me, Keating’s Carpe Diem speech in the beginning resonated with me. It draws us in as we realize we only have so much time, and it makes us want to learn how to make the most of our lives. We also connect with the boys who are at a pivotable and impressionable age. We want to see them happy. We feel uncomfortable for Todd and want to see him free from whatever is holding him back.
4. Looking at the chars who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.”
Old ways: conformity, listening to parents and teachers and not questioning them, not thinking for themselves, not taking risks, not following their hearts or making changes that elate them. The school’s pillars: Honor, tradition, discipline, excellence.
Most of the boys were used to doing what they were told and not questioning it. Todd was frightened to speak, and I think it’s from fearing he’d say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing and be judged. By the end, he thinks for his own self, and he doesn’t care about the consequences because he knows in his heart what is right and true. He even stands on his desk where he used to be unable to make eye contact with others.
New Ways at the conclusion: Getting the most out of life, thinking for themselves, seeing life from a new perspective. Bravely expressing what they believe and think. Taking risks to support Keating. Lives are full of new opportunities and passion.
5. What is the gradient of change? What steps did the transformational char go thru as they were changing?
Todd starts out shy, a loner. Reluctantly joins the boys with Neil’s help. Ah, AJ says that Neil is also a change agent. Todd realizes his parents don’t care that much about him, and this frees him in ways. Need more steps to this.
6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main char to shift their perspective… and make the change?
Keating keeps demonstrating to the boys new ways of thinking and being. Disobeying parents, falling in love despite the danger, taking risks, following their hearts. Beliefs that there is only one way of thinking and being. Keating opens their eyes to new ways, new perspectives. Then when Keating is punished wrongly, Todd clearly sees this is wrong and he has the courage to stand up and say so.
7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?
Opening scenes with Keating and “Carpe Diem,” the poems they read at DPS, boys shifting their ways, one going after a girl he loves even though he shouldn’t, Neil trying out for the play even though his parents disagree, ripping up the Pritchard textbook. Todd throws his desk set gift from his parents off the bridge, showing his freedom, walking your own walk in the courtyard. Neil’s parents maybe realizing they were wrong to force Neil to conform.
8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
Seize the day, O Captain my Captain, many more.
9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
The ending is planned in an amazing way. Setting up Todd as timid and afraid to barely make eye contact makes him the best character to boldly stand up at the end to support Keating. He has made the greatest transformation. It’s brilliant and beautiful! Even though Keating loses his job, he has gained something far greater–the knowledge that he has made a difference in the lives of his students, something they will pass on to others. And as Keating is leaving the room, Todd seizes the moment, one that won’t last much longer, and he acts. A beautiful example of Carpe Diem. His opportunity was almost lost. We see Todd struggling, knowing he wants to do something, but still fighting the last bits of wanting to obey and be good. But something far more powerful strikes him–the knowledge that an injustice is being done and he wants to make a statement.
10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?
Seize the day, make your lives extraordinary, be fearless, be happy, speak your truth, be a free thinker.
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Does Joe have Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s? That is rare. My protagonist gets Parkinson’s and his mom had Alzheimer’s. PD is caused by dopamine deficits in the substantia nigra. End stage PD often has hallucinations from the Levodopa drug that often bring dopamine levels to that of a schizophrenic but Alzheimer’s is usually a slower decline beginning in the hippocampus caused by amyloid plaques that tangle the dendrites leaving neurons to die as the brain empties out. My father had Alzheimer’s and I have treated PD in many patients. Drama doesn’t have to obey medicine especially because you have an enticing spirit world but I was curious about the real diseases. Since people are living so long, perhaps they can get all these diseases.
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Cara Rogers’ Main Characters
Logline: An aspiring young pilot grounded on a devastated ranch fails to design a successful flying machine but learns he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be.
Change Agent: The young boy’s father is a WWI Ace, used to leading a mission under his command. He’s determined his plan will save the ranch, if his children will just follow his orders.
Transformable Character: The aspiring pilot, 11yo Shoe. Impulsive, immature and independent, he’s convinced winning prize money will save the ranch versus hard work and obedience.
The Oppression: The conditions of the 1930s Dustbowl that have devastated the family farm, isolated the community, and ended any ability to pursue dreams.
I have learned the drought and harsh winds have to more directly interfere with Shoe’s efforts to design a flying machine that can operate in current conditions.
Betraying Character: The focus is on Shoe’s transformation at this point in my revisions but if I added more interaction between Shoe and Robert, the “outsider” and rich banker’s son, he could serve as the Betraying Character. He already accidentally destroys one of Shoe’s attempted flying designs but I could make his interference more intentional.
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Dead Poets Society 4B
What is the change this movie is about? What is the transformational journey? Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary.
Lead characters:
Change Agent (causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change? John Keating
Transformable Character (one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character? Boys. Young, dissatisfied with their life.
The Oppression? School Administration as they uphold strict structure of the prep school, Welton.
Betraying Character: Cameron doesn’t change, or reverts back after Neil’s suicide.
How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect?
Unusual first day of Keating’s class – this will be different.
Boys’ dissatisfaction with authority & strict control.
Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey?
Identify their old way:
Neil is obedient, gives up what he loves to please (or not disappoint) his parents. All other boys except Cameron – Begin as making decisions, or changing behavior to please authority figures.
Identify their new way at the conclusion: Neil acts in the play, defying his father. Takes his own life to avoid continuing to be under his father’s rule (military school). Other boys except Cameron – will continue to think for themselves, form their own conclusions, see the world from a different perspective
What is the gradient of change? (steps the transformational character goes through as they are changing)
Day one, boys react to Keating as if he’s odd; they’re awkward about it.
Todd writes “Seize the Day,” considers it, then crumbles the paper. (pointless)
Students begin taking detailed notes, then are told to rip out the page. Hesitant. (then entire introduction) They comply.
Learn of Keating’s school years and The Dead Poets Society. Neil is intrigued.They decide to go to the cave where DPS met. “Can’t get caught.” One by one they agree. Todd resists, but they agree he can just listen.
Hooded figures sneak out that night, reconvene “Dead Poets Society” but primarily tell scary stories and read gory poems. Charley reads from centerfold. (transition)
Knox calls Chris, even though he’s totally scared she, her parents and his parents will hate him. All are gathered around supporting him. Make a plan to meet at a party at the Danburys. (Chet’s house)
“The point, Charlie, is that she was thinking about me. I only met her once and already she was thinking about me.” They chant Carpe.
Todd’s poem about truth being like a blanket. P. 51
Charlie is now “Nuwanda” and puts red lipstick on his cheeks.
Chet says “Carpe Diem” and kisses a sleeping Chris
On his birthday, Todd’s parents gave him the same desk set as last year.
McAllister is walking his students outside doing their work (as Keating has done).
As Keating leaves, Todd stands on his desk first and says “O CAptain My Captain.” The rest of the boys follow, except Cameron. (he’s shown them how to view the world from a different perspective)
How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective and make the change?
What are the most profound moments of the movie?
“Poetry, beauty, romance, love. These are what we stay alive for.” Keating to boys, new perspective versus success in careers.
Neil “For the first time in my life, I know what I want to do.” Decides to be in Midsummer’s Night Dream. If I don’t ask him, at least I won’t be disobeying him. Who’s side are you on? (to roommate Todd) Can’t you let me enjoy the idea for a little while?
Todd “I’m not like you. You say things and people listen.” Could you just butt out? Neil says “No.”
Charlie has God call, tell Mr. Nolan they should have girls at Welton.
After whippings, says “The name is Nuwanda.”
Knox walks into classroom & reads his poem to Chris.
Tells others she said nothing but he did it. “Seize the day!”
Neil’s father enters the auditorium of his son’s play
Mr. Perry says tell me what you feel? What is it?
Neil sits down, Nothing. Dad didn’t really want to know.
Neil commits suicide.
Keating sees quote in Neil’s book, to be read at opening of DPS meetings
Boys stand on desks at ending “O Captain, My Captain.”
What are the profound lines of the movie?
“Make a clean tear. I want nothing left of it.” When telling boys to rip out the introduction to poetry in their books.
“Keep ripping gentlemen. This is a battle, a war. And the casualties could be your hearts and souls.” No more academics measuring poetry. Learn to think for yourselves again.
“No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
“The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”
“But only in dreams can man be truly free. Was always thus, and always thus will be.”
“Boys you must find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all.”
“I always thought the idea of education was to learn to think for yourself.”
“Sure there’s a time for daring and there’s a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.”
“Then you’re acting for him too.” Neil not telling his father how he really feels (Keating)
How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
Almost all the boys stand on desks showing Keating that despite everything, he has taught them to see things from another perspective.
What is the Profound Truth of this movie? Seize the Day. Do not hesitate, but take control of life and live it your way with no regrets.
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