Dead Poets Society
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15
Themes
All Themes Life, Death, and “Carpe Diem” Education Conformity and Success Rebellion and Passion Men, Women, and Love
Quotes
Characters
All Characters John Keating Todd Anderson Neil Perry Charlie Dalton Knox Overstreet Richard Cameron Headmaster Gale Nolan Mr. George McAllister Mr. Perry
Symbols
All Symbols The Candle Puck’s Crown Standing on the Desk
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Dead Poets Society

by

N. H. Kleinbaum
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Todd Anderson Character Analysis

Todd is a new student at Welton, having transferred from another, less prestigious school. He doesn’t get along with his parents, who, he feels, favor his older, more academically successful brother, Jeffrey Anderson. At Welton, Todd is at first quiet and shy, but with the encouragement of John Keating and the friendship of Neil Perry, his roommate, he learns to open up, express his feelings, and compose impressive poetry. Todd is arguably the most “dynamic” character in the novel: his transformation from a shy conformist to a bold iconoclast epitomizes the novel’s rebellious spirit and coming-of-age themes.

Todd Anderson Quotes in Dead Poets Society

The Dead Poets Society quotes below are all either spoken by Todd Anderson or refer to Todd Anderson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Life, Death, and “Carpe Diem” Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1 Quotes

Sixteen-year-old Todd Anderson, one of the few students not wearing the school blazer, hesitated as the boys around him rose to their feet. His mother nudged him up. His face was drawn and unhappy, his eyes dark with anger. He watched silently as the boys around him shouted in unison, “Tradition! Honor! Discipline! Excellence!”

Related Characters: Todd Anderson
Education Theme Icon
Conformity and Success Theme Icon
Page Number: 3
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 2 Quotes

As the other boys stared at him, Todd fought back tears.
“You'll like soccer here, Anderson. All right, boys. Dismissed.”

Related Characters: Headmaster Gale Nolan (speaker), Todd Anderson
Education Theme Icon
Conformity and Success Theme Icon
Page Number: 12
Explanation and Analysis:
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Todd Anderson Quotes in Dead Poets Society

The Dead Poets Society quotes below are all either spoken by Todd Anderson or refer to Todd Anderson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Life, Death, and “Carpe Diem” Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1 Quotes

Sixteen-year-old Todd Anderson, one of the few students not wearing the school blazer, hesitated as the boys around him rose to their feet. His mother nudged him up. His face was drawn and unhappy, his eyes dark with anger. He watched silently as the boys around him shouted in unison, “Tradition! Honor! Discipline! Excellence!”

Related Characters: Todd Anderson
Education Theme Icon
Conformity and Success Theme Icon
Page Number: 3
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 2 Quotes

As the other boys stared at him, Todd fought back tears.
“You'll like soccer here, Anderson. All right, boys. Dismissed.”

Related Characters: Headmaster Gale Nolan (speaker), Todd Anderson
Education Theme Icon
Conformity and Success Theme Icon
Page Number: 12
Explanation and Analysis:
Unlock with LitCharts A+
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