Dead Poets Society - Act 2

They reform ‘the dead poets society’; this means they have to sneak out of the school to have the meetings. They have to do this at night, against the rules, this is a complication.

In class Keating’s teaching methods go against the tradition of the school, this is a complication because he could get in a lot of trouble, as the school is quite strict. The principal watches Keating while he is teaching the boys, but Keating just acts as if he does nothing wrong, as he truly believes that he isn’t doing anything wrong. Another obstacle in Keating’s classes is that Keating pushes the boys in his class to get out of their comfort zone.

Neil decides for sure that he wants to try out for the play. Keating has given him the ability to believe in himself, but teaching him freedom. An obstacle that comes with Neil deciding to perform in the play is the fact that his father doesn’t approve. Neil needed his father’s permission to be in the play, and as he didn’t want his father to find out Neil forges a letter from his father so that he can perform. “I’m trapped” – Neil to Keating.
When Neil decides to go into the play his friend, Todd, snaps him back to reality and reminds him of his father’s disapproval, Neil gets angry because he knows that his friend is right. Todd slowly gets more confidence, but when Neil talks to him the audience notices that Neil treats his friends as his father teaches him.

Todd’s parents give him the same birthday present two years in a row. This shows the audience that his parents, like Neil’s, don’t care about what he wants. Neil supports Todd on his birthday, but his friends aren’t able to support Neil with his problems.

Charlie publishes an article in the school paper and signed in ‘The Dead Poets Society’, this is an obstacle because this article could mean that the principal could find out about them sneaking out, drinking, smoking, seeing girls, etc.

Neil’s dad finds out about the play and shows up there. Neil is ecstatic that he is in the play, especially as he got the lead role. This is the dark moment in ‘Act 2’, because Mr Perry, Neil’s father, he ruins Neil’s happiness and crushes his dreams. Mr Perry confronts Keating, and tells him to stay away from Neil. Mr Perry automatically blames Keating for Neil’s actions, so Mr Perry decides to enrol Neil into a different school. He tells Neil that he is going to be a doctor; Neil has no choice. “Don’t be so dramatic, you make it sound like a prison term” – Mr Perry to Neil.

The climax in this film is after the play, when Neil shoots himself because he feels things with his dad are too much to handle anymore. His dad has told Neil that he disapproves and is disappointed in Neil because of Neil going into the play and because he has gone behind his back and disobeyed him purposely. When Mr Perry finds his son dead, he acts as if he doesn’t understand why his son has done this, as he had no idea that his son was feeling like this. He genuinely felt that he has been the best father he could be, he just tried to do the best for this boy. “My son, oh my son” – Mr Perry when he finds Neil dead.