Character Analysis In Dead Poets Society

My Parents Named Me Ben Schuessler “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we’re members of the human race.” This quote by Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) defines what the movie Dead Poets Society is all about. Mr. Keating is a professor at the all boy’s school of Welton Academy. Keating is the new poetry teacher and is determined to show the boys that they should be set on making their lives extraordinary. The students at Welton seem set on doing what they were sent to do: get good grades, graduate, and become whatever kind of doctor/lawyer that their heart desires. It’s like a herd of sheep, someone whistles for them to follow and they listen. Keating’s message is clear: being unique isn’t a bad thing, …show more content…
Todd is the youngest of his family, which is quite a struggle for most kids. He has a boatload of expectations rocking on his shoulders due to his brother, who also went to Welton, being a Valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar. Todd is also a very naturally shy person. He couldn’t speak to anyone, let alone answer their questions without sounding unsure/ insecure of himself. In the Dead Poets Society (the poetry group the boys were inspired to create by Keating’s class) Todd never spoke out and shared, he was merely an observer. Later on in the movie, after Neil has finished with his performance in the play, his father pulls him aside after showing up to the performance unannounced. His father is very confused and concerned as to why Neil insists on “defying him” and “attempting to ruin his life”. He then informs Neil that his mother and himself have decided that they were going to pull Neil from Welton Academy. Neil was going to go to Braighton Military School to eventually graduate from Harvard as a doctor. Neil is heartbroken and unsure of what to do. In a moment of confusion and unknowing for the future, Neil takes his own life. In a state of shock and disbelief, Neil’s parents immediately blame Keating for the source of this “inspirational outgoing”. The members of the once secret Dead Poets Society are pulled in one-by-one to confess to the headmaster. Todd is pulled in last. He’s handed a document that he is supposed to sign to confirm that Keating was the source of Neil’s death. Of course, this isn’t true. But the other boys, wanting to follow a good path after the tragedies that had ensued, had simply followed the herd. Todd begins to object, but his parents eventually force him to sign the paper. A few days later, in class, Keating returns to get his stuff. The headmaster is teaching the class until they can