Gabriel Dejanovic Mr. Whittaker English 2 30 March 2023 Dead Poet Society Mr. Keating, the English teacher at Welton Academy in the movie "Dead Poets Society," has been blamed by some for the reckless and rebellious behavior of his students, leading to the death of Neil Perry, one of his pupils. However, I strongly argue that Mr. Keating was in no way responsible for the actions of the boys or Neil's death. In fact, Mr. Keating was a victim of the school's oppressive and rigid educational system, which pushed his students to conformity and suppressed their individuality. First, Mr. Keating encouraged his students to think freely and develop their own unique perspectives on life. He taught them to seize the day and make their lives extraordinary instead of just being average. For instance, when he asked his students to tear out the pages of their textbooks, he was not advocating for rebellion but for them to think outside the box and challenge the traditional way of learning. As he said, "No matter what anybody tells you, words, and ideas can change the world" (DPS). Mr. Keating wanted his students to find their own voices and express themselves creatively. …show more content…
Keating did not force or manipulate Neil to pursue his passion for acting. Neil was already passionate about acting, as he stated in the movie, and Mr. Keating only encouraged him to follow his dream. In fact, Mr. Keating advised Neil to talk to his father about his interests and not to pursue acting behind his father's back. Neil's decision to disobey his father's wishes and perform in a play was his own, and Mr. Keating did not coerce or force him to do so. Moreover, when Neil died, Mr. Keating was devastated and felt responsible, which shows that he did not want any harm to come to his