The Characters And Their Reactions To Keating's Teachings
...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...
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