Character relationships

Relationship between Neil and his father

One of the most important relationships in in the film Dead Poets Society (1989) directed by Peter Weir is that between Neil and his father. Neil’s relationship with his father is very strained. This is because his father is controlling and authoritarian and expects Neil’s complete obedience: “After you’ve finished medical school and you’re on your own, then you can do as you damn well please, but until then, you do as I tell you.” (00:08:24-00:08:30). 

It is important to note that out of the two of them, Neil is willing to negotiate and compromise. He tries to buy permission from his father to do the activities he loves, such as acting, with the price of good grades. However, his father is inflexible and does not give anything in return. He does not see Neil’s point of view, nor does he want to. Whenever Neil tries to explain himself, his father tells him not to talk back to him. Neil can even understand his father’s perspective: since they are not a rich family, his father wants to make sure his son is financially stable. However, the fact that he has no control over his own future makes Neil feel unhappy and “trapped” (01:26:42). 

Neil does not like the career that his father has chosen for him, and he would like to be an actor instead. As Neil confesses to Keating, acting is everything to him (01:25:16). However, his father appears to have no interest in his son’s needs beyond his sole focus of securing him a financially stable career. Furthermore, he does not believe that Neil’s opinions and wishes are important enough to be taken into consid...