The Characters and Their Reactions to Keating’s Teachings

The Characters and Their Reactions to Keating's Teaching

Dead poet society is a magnificent film about a group of boys who strive to seek the marrow in life. Their new English teacher, Mr. Keating inspires his students to pursue individual passions and make their lives extraordinary, through his teaching strategies. However, each character responds to Keating's teachings in different ways. Characters like Neil Perry and Charlie Dalton suck the marrow out of life but end up choking on the bone. Both Neil and Charlie took Mr. Keating's advice with no limit which resulted in suicide and expulsion. On the other hand, Knox Overstreet and Todd Anderson both realise that they should keep a balance in life. There are many contrasts in this film which are derived form either romanticism or realism. The characters face life altering experiences such as suicide and death, conforming to the school's tradition and love, passion and friendship. Each character faces and deals with these themes in different ways.

Neil is a critical character in Dead Poet Society. He is an extremely talented and passionate character who strives to make his life to contribute a verse into the world. However, there is always a barrier stopping him from doing as he pleases, for instance, his father didn't allow him to be part of the school newspaper and also his father made him quit the play because he said that it would affect his schoolwork. Neil is the first to seize the day and take on what Mr. Keating has said. Although Keating didn't mention the dangers of sucking the marrow out of life, Neil went ahead with no caution. Neil was too afraid to talk to his father, as there was no connection between them. They have a distant relationship as exemplified by Neil calling his dad 'sir'. Neil feels powerless in front of his father, Mr. Perry. Mr. Perry is controlling Neil's life and is planning his son's future. Neil feels pressured and wants to fill his passion for acting. Neil seizes the day by betraying his father and by getting a part in the play, 'A Midsummer Nights Dream'. On the night of the performance, Mr. Perry attends the play and is very disappointed in Neil. Neil's passion for acting leads him to contemplating suicide. Neil seizes the day before dying but he dies, because he gave up. Like Neil, Todd also seizes the day. Neil helped Todd gain his courage and be part of life. He had passed on the light of knowledge to Todd. Todd seizes the day and gains his courage which we see when he stands on his desk at the end of the film. Charlie also seizes the day before he got expelled. He used his courage to stand up to himself, punch Cameron, bring girls to the cave and make a phone call from God in assembly. Charlie was always an individual and wanted to be different form everybody else and that’s how Keating liked him to be. On the other hand, Mr. Perry contrasts Neil. Mr. Perry doesn’t appreciate Mr. Keating's teaching method which he believes was a result of Neil's acting business. Mr. Perry is not understanding towards his son and only cares bout his future and career. He wants him to go to medical school and be a doctor. Neil wants to be able to speak to his father and help him understand how

he feels. His father cannot see this because Neil is not courageous enough to talk to his father. This led him to his suicide, as stated before. Through this we can see that the character all react to Keating's teachings in different ways.

All students in Welton Academy conform to the school rules. They required to display tradition, honour, discipline and excellence in their school environment. When Todd first came to the school, he was introduced to the four pillars. This shows that the pressure and stress from school was already starting to build up on him. Like Neil, Todd is also pressured by his parents to be like his brother, 'fill in big shoes'. He was also pressured to sign the paper for Mr. Keating to leave. When Todd was first introduced to the boys, he felt awkward. He remained quiet in lessons and when he was surrounded by people. Mr. Keating understands and knows that Todd thinks that what's inside of him is helpless and not worth anything. Therefore both Mr. Keating and Neil help Todd gain his confidence and encourage him to face his fears throughout the movie. In the end when both Neil and Mr. Keating leave, Todd is alone but is absolutely confident in himself which we see when he stands up on his desk in respect and honour for Mr. Keating. Knox, like