In a way Mr. Keating did play a role in the timeing of  Neil's act of suicide but unfortunately as greatly as we would like to point blame toward someone , I personally believe that Neil would have eventually made the same decision even without ever meeting Keating. The bravest student Keating had in my opinion would have to be Todd. Todd over came many fears through out the film and eventually was able to stand up to one of his biggest fears (The uppers) or the Dean of the school by standing up on the desk shouting "O Captain My Captain" in respect of Mr. Keating.  I do believe that Keating put the poetry book in Neils room mainly because I see Keating as a man who pushes students to go beyond just what they are told to do. Keating in my eyes attempts to give the boys a way of escape from the world and the Dead Poet Society for the boys is that escape.

Theme

 The major theme or "point" of The Dead Poet Society was to help not only students but people in general to understand that there is more to life than conforming to a perfect image someone has laid out for you. These boys start out as nothing more than robots caused by the constant pressures of parents, their school work, teachers etc.. Mr. Keating allowed the boys to be their selves and have a little fun in the process. In Keatings eyes, people should "suck the marrow out of life" and "seize the day". Eventually Keating is able to make a difference in each life he comes in contact with , shaping and molding each of these boys into their own individual person. Almost each student in Keatings class by the end of the film faces some form of an obstacle and in tern faces their deepest fears. So in the words of Mr. John Keating , Seize The Day students! You never know who will follow in your steps.

Character Questions:

1. In my opinion , Todd made the biggest over all change throughout the film. He was able to go from barely saying a word to anyone to confiding in his friend Neal (unfortunately losing him after) to by the end of the film being the first to stand on the desk in honor of Mr. Keating. Todd took a huge risk by standing on the desk and shouting "O Captain my Captian" as if to solute Mr. Keating and pronounce him as his leader. He should his emotion and passion for Keating's teachings as if nothing else mattered.

2. Cameron for the most part stayed consistent in his ways of always being the "good kid". He did everything he was supposed to even if it meant hurting kids classmates or tearing down someone else to save his own self. Toward the end of the film he was the one who told the administration of the school everything about the Dead Poet Society , throwing the other boys under the bus just so that he didn't get into any trouble.

3. Mr Keating is a static character . While he played a large role he kept the same over all romantic mind set throughout the film.

4.

Todd Anderson: During the beginning of the film Tod barely spoke a word. He had a great fear of interaction with others or someone not liking what he has to say. With the help of his friend Neil and Mr. Keating he by the end of the film has over come his fear and is standing on a desk in front of everyone saying "O Captain My Captain".

Knox Overstreet: Knox meets a girl whom he believes he is in love with by just the sight of her. he is terrified to talk to her but takes a chance "seizes the day" and eventually over comes his fear and wins the girl even with obstacles such as her boyfriend that got in his way.

Neil Perry: Neil has a large fear of standing up to his father. Unfortunately he was not able to over come his fear and it ate at him until he eventually took his own life with his fathers gun. This young man has set a great example of what real pressure can do to a person.

Charlie (Nawnda) Dalton: Nawnda wanted nothing more than to ruffle the administrations feathers, to create conflict or to rebel against the conformity of others. His fear was very apparent from the start and was fear of conforming . During Mr. Keatings walking exercise Charlie chose not to walk as a way of showing his indifference.

Subversive behavior to my understanding is the act of NOT conforming to routine or tradition of an upper or superior. In the movie Mona Lisa Smile , an example of the superior is Wellesley  College or as Kathrine proclaims "Wellesley finishing school". The administration of Wellesley expects Ms. Watson to adhere to every traditional teaching method and only lecture based on the syllabus given to her. Ms. Watson is called subversive by Betty due to her teaching methods and seeing as she refused to be the paper cut out she has been expected to be.

Betty's marriage to Spencer was very unhappy. It is revealed throughout the movie that Spencer often leaves Betty alone to be a good little house wife until hes done with his girlfriend. During this period of time things such as affairs, drug or alcohol abuse along with basically any other "dirty laundry" were supposed to be hidden from the world and simply not talked about. Betty's mother is willing to let her relationship with her daughter suffer as long as she is able to keep her squeaky clean Jones name. She does not allow Betty to stay with her to keep anyone from knowing Spencer and Betty are having issues. Betty's mother will do whatever she has to to have a perfectly painted picture of her family . All the while the Jones family most likely has more skeletons in their closets than most families.