Mentalposho t1_j1y8rbe wrote on December 28, 2022 at 7:29 AM

Reply to comment by Select_Action_6065 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

he knew he was lying. It was obvious it was one of the scenes on my 2nd rewatch i noticed for the first time and it was so obvious he knew Neil lied.

Select_Action_6065 t1_j1z2gqq wrote on December 28, 2022 at 1:44 PM

I’m not so sure about that. Ketting went up to them after the play and seemed pretty shock by the dad’s reaction.

Even if he did that is irrelevant to OP’s concern. The fact that Neil felt the need to lie meant that he knew Ketting wouldn’t approve. Neil understood what the limits to Carpe Diem were as Ketting was teaching it.

And if Ketting DID know as you claim what should he do? Call Neil’s Dad? Then the same thing happens to Neil except now he feels betrayed by Ketting.

Mentalposho t1_j203lbd wrote on December 28, 2022 at 6:10 PM

nah I think he knew he was gonna act that way (Ketting on dad's reaction) so that's why he overcompensated and sort of "overreacted" to Neil's performance. Which the Dichotomy and the forged internal conflict could've triggered (no pun intended) Neil's demise. No one is innocent here imo. Honestly. It's not the limits it's more like actually he didn't want to disappoint his second father, Ketting.

If he did know, I think he should've'nt pushed Neil so hard imo towards the path of Carpe Diem but let him find it in his own time.