Poetic Adaptation of Dead Poets Society Film into A Novel by N.H. Kleinbaum

Abstract

This study analyzes the adaptation of poetic aspects in film Dead Poets Society by Peter Weir into a novel by N. H. Kleinbaum using Linda Hutcheon’s adaptation theory. The main goals of this research is to reveal how the poetic aspects in the film are adapted into the novel, as well as the underlying reasons behind the adaptation process. This research is qualitative in nature, with primary data consisting of the film’s audio-visual elements, such as dialogues, events, images, and sounds containing poetic aspects, as well as the novel’s narrative text. The primary data sources are the film Dead Poets Society (1989) and its novel adaptation (2006), while secondary data are obtained from books, journals, and online articles.

The study has two goals. The first goal is to identify the forms of adaptation of poetic aspects from the film into the novel through the analysis of significant scenes. The analysis begins with Nick Lacey’s image analysis for film elements, followed by an analysis of their adaptation into the novel, in order to identify the forms and processes of adaptation. The second goal is to find out the context behind the adaptation in order to understand the motives for adaptation.

The results of the analysis show four forms of poetic adaptation categorized based on the function of poetic aspects within the story. These forms produce three main adaptation processes. The first process is the addition of monologues, dialogues, and descriptions that strengthen the characters’ emotions in the novel. The second process is the reduction of dramatic effects, resulting in a simpler and less powerful emotional delivery in the novel. The third process is intertextuality involving a greater number of poetic works, resulting in a broader but less intense delivery of meaning in the novel. From the contextual analysis of the adaptation, two motives were identified: economic motives and personal motives.

Keywords: adaptation, novelization, poetic aspects