Dead Poets Society: Analysis of Neil Perry's Fate

Throughout life it is entrenched that we will affect the lives of the people around us - may it be inadvertent or not. On the other hand, every person has a choice and power over their own decisions. However, if we are to look past blame, destiny could be a factor in one’s dreams and aspirations regardless of others encouragement or discouragement. Which is precisely what Nancy H. Kleinbaum writes about in her novel Dead Poets Society from 1989.

In the opening lines we are introduced to Welton Academy: “Nestled in the remote hills of Vermont” (P. 1, L. 2.) Here we get clear connotations to a bird through the word nest. Birds are of course known to be flying free in the sky which can be a foreshadowing to the youngsters we are about to meet. Similarly, it’s also in the nest that the fledglings develop into full grown independent birds and this learning and molding of young people we also see in the story. At first, we are introduced to Todd Anderson who moved to Welton from a less prestigious school. We clearly feel the tension between him and his parents who tend to favor his older brother Jeffrey Anderson and we get the idea they sometimes even completely overlook their other son. We quickly learn about a popular and idealistic student named Neil Perry who himself has controlling adults all around him: “Beside him his unsmiling father was stony eyed and silent, not acknowledging his son in the least” (P. 5, L. 18.) We are also introduced to John Keating or more often known as Mr. Keating. Mr. Keating is a bright and charismatic new English teacher who recently transferred to Welton from London. He quickly starts teaching the students to seize the day, also known as “Carpe Diem” and many take it as a riot against their controlling parents and teachers. This way of teaching upsets the school but nevertheless nothing happens to Mr. Keating and his students, that is until Neil Perry decides to do the thing, he has a burning passion for. We learn that the thing Neil wanted to do the most was acting but he knew that his controlling father would never allow it, so he has suppressed his passion so far. But one day Neil decides to go to an audition for a play and ends up nailing the lead role. He seeks council in Mr. Keating, but Neil doesn’t have the guts to explain that he hasn’t consulted it with his father, so he lies. ”You told your father what you told me? You let him see your passion for acting?” “Yeah.” Neil felt the lie grow bigger.” (P. 131, L. 1.) He continues to fuel the lie and says that his father will let him stay in the play but won’t come to the premier. Mr. Keating unaware that Neil’s father is being left in the dark is naturally excited for Neil on his behalf. The night comes and the show is a huge success although it gets an unexpected visitor Mr. Perry. Neil’s celebrations get cut short and he is hurried home by his father, who on the way out snaps at Mr. Keating. It is here at his most vulnerable that Neil decides to do the unthinkable and kill himself. Now the school starts to blame Mr. Keating and he gets fired, Todd believes it’s all Mr. Perry’s fault.