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pondrthis t1_j1vmc1o wrote

I would argue that it is partially his fault. That's why he's asked to resign, as I recall. It's presented as (and indeed is) Keating being punished for opening the boys' hearts in a society that rewards only discipline, but there's something to be said about discipline as a coping mechanism for the difficulty of puberty.

I don't really think this undermines the philosophy of the film, because the pro-discipline crowd ultimately shirks their responsibility onto Keating, the ultimate hypocrisy. But as I'm a teacher at the school that inspired the screenplay, I think it's important to look at all the contributing factors. The culture was primarily at fault, but a teacher sending mixed messages confused the student further.

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MansaQu OP t1_j1voafm wrote

Thanks!

What role do you think Keating's philosophy plays in the film? Is it something the viewer should aspire towards/or avoid?

Is the main moral of the story that extreme discipline is very destructive?

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throwingitaway724 t1_j2033r1 wrote

That was my takeaway. The rigid and oppressive nature of the school and Neil’s father was what made the biggest impression on me. I would feel trapped if I were Neil.

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pondrthis t1_j1vsgqp wrote

Keating is an idealist in a harsher reality than he realizes. His philosophy is a good aspiration, but must be approached with the temperance of discipline. I do think the main moral of the story is what you said, but I think a more thoughtful consideration of the events would identify a different core issue.

The real problem was that Keating's mindfulness and the academy's temperance were at odds, each side pitted against the other and taken to the extreme. If each side embraced the other--Keating telling the boys to take their biology as seriously as poetry and the administration embracing Keating's style as producing a balanced young man--the student character would have found support and a model for living the life you mentioned in the OP.

Our school now strongly supports the arts in addition to athletics and traditionally prestigious academic routes.

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