When Knox becomes obsessed with a certain girl named “Chris”—without actually meeting her—he ends up risking his life to win her heart. In both cases, characters assume individual authority for their choices and stop obeying traditional authority figures; they embark on a trip of self-discovery and individual growth that will have a lasting impact on their futures. One obvious example of existentialism is Neil Perry’s unfortunate suicide. When Neil Perry decides to pursue a career in the performing arts, rather than in medicine, his father, Mr. Perry, is furious. Unmoved by Neil’s extraordinary performance in the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mr. Perry continues to insist on controlling his son’s life and dictating his every move.
When Knox becomes obsessed with a certain girl named “Chris”—without actually meeting her—he ends up risking his life to win her heart. In both cases, characters assume individual authority for their choices and stop obeying traditional authority figures; they embark on a trip of self-discovery and individual growth that will have a lasting impact on their futures. One obvious example of existentialism is Neil Perry’s unfortunate suicide. When Neil Perry decides to pursue a career in the performing arts, rather than in medicine, his father, Mr. Perry, is furious. Unmoved by Neil’s extraordinary performance in the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mr. Perry continues to insist on controlling his son’s life and dictating his every move.
Mr. Keating talks him in being a free-thinking individual and leader, Todd Anderson was able over come the final obstacle of his instability only following after his friend Neils suicide. Charles Dalton Charlie can be considered as a dynamic character because he takes on the role as an above the law role, he feels he should always be in conrol of the situation and that he will not have to face the consequences of any of his avtions. He changes toward the end though because he doesn't care about authority until Mr. Keating gets to him. Then at the end when wellton is trying to find who the reason of neils suicide is Cameron tells the authority that it was Mr. Keatings fault Charlie gets pissed off and punches Cameron across the face. It shows that hes starting to care about Mr. Keating and before you wouldn't of been able to see that in his
Chris never would have left without intending on returning. Chris’s dysfunctional family and his abusive father, prompted him to take the trip even more. His, sister Carine, however, he loved to much to abandon. Chris wrote in a letter to Carine once that she was the only one who understood him. The two had a closer relationship than the average brother and sister, due to their fathers’ random outbursts of rage.
The desire to initiate changes can either lead to positive or negative results. Keating wants his students to learn ho to be their own individual person and step out of the line of conformity. Neil has gained courage to defy his father but in the end loses his will and committed suicide. Charlie, who is definitely a nonconformist, has done things that eventually led to his expulsion. Todd’s change, however, has matured in a positive way and expressed himself when it really matters; he is the first
He needed to be treated as if he was a part of the community and maintains an ability to make a difference. However, the teachers all shoved him away refusing to hear his heart crying out for love and acceptance. He had no idea who he was as a person nor love to guide him through life. Paul’s father could have made the biggest impact on his suicide. More than anyone, a boy needs his father to approve of him and teach him how to be a man.
Neil took Mr. Keating's words to heart and followed his heart, whereas, Todd kind of kept to himself and quietly lived his life instead of expressing himself in hopes of not becoming the center of attention. Both Neil and Todd strived to live life in their own way though they looked at it through a different perspective with the help of Mr. Keating. Neil seems to symbolize his kneeling down before everyone, such as his father (who takes away all control Neil tries to have) and the school. Perry seems to be symbolic for “perish” and death, foreshadowing Neil’s suicide later in the movie. In theory, that’s why Todd and Neil got along so well.
So the cultural background of these boys had trained them to see life in a much different way until they have Mr. Keating for an English teacher and he gives his “Carpe Diem “speech which greatly changes their perceptions of school, the future, and life. One of the characters Neal Perry struggles with his own demons after the free thinking Mr. Keating has inspired him to discover that he does not want to be the doctor that his father has so much pushed him to be but rather an actor. Acting is what he is passionate about. Neal was motivated and controlled all his life by his father’s wishes. It was a learned response that to get his father’s approval, he must go the route of prep school, medical school, and then a career as a doctor.
Neil wants to be an actor but even though he knows that his father will disapprove he still continued to the audition that is held on his school for a play. He was chosen to be one of the characters of the play. But his father Mr. Perry discovered that he still continued being an actor even his father disapproved him. His father confronted him and said that he will be enrolled in Harvard University to take up a course of Medicine. He decided to commit suicide because he can’t make his father understand his feelings.
He secretly auditions for the role of Puck in the prep school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, however, much to his dismay, his father learns of his actions and forces him to withdraw from the play. Deeply upset by his father’s reaction, Neil seeks advice from Mr. Keating, who in turn tells Neil to speak to his father and explain to him how he feels about acting. However, without the strength and courage to open up to his father, Neil is unable to do. Instead, he chooses to go against his father’s will and goes through with his performance. Unfortunately, Mr. Perry arrives at the end of the play, only to find Neil on stage.