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MansaQu OP t1_j1voafm wrote

Reply to comment by pondrthis in [Dead Poets Society] Isn't Mr. Keating at least partially responsible for the tragedy, and if yes, does that not undermine the philosophy of the film (Carpe Diem)? by MansaQu

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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