Dead Poets Society: Idioms 1 key example

Neil creates a parody of “the meek shall inherit the earth,” which is itself derived from a Bible verse which can be roughly translated to “blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). This parody highlights the goal of Welton: to churn out conventionally successful graduates, successful in that they attend Ivy League schools and then go on to become doctors, lawyers, or bankers. Todd, a transfer student, doesn’t fit in at Welton yet and is particularly timid and shy. Neil plays a large role in drawing Todd out of his shell, inviting him to study groups and insisting he join the Dead Poets Society even if he is unable to read the poems out loud. Neil’s quippy parody gestures at the real and important influence he has on Todd’s life.

Neil, however, is not fully focused on going to a school like Harvard and becoming a doctor, like his father wants him to be. Instead, the opposite of meek, Neil rebels against Mr. Perry's wishes and acts in Midsummer Night’s Dream. The night of the play, Neil commits suicide, seeing no way out of the future his father has forced upon him. Neil’s skill as an actor—he plays the funny Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream with great comedic timing—is hinted at in this amusing idiomatic parody. Similarly, his far-from-meek personality is highlighted well before he summons the courage to rebel against Welton and his father. Ultimately, however, this parody serves as a tragic reminder of the oppressive expectations Welton places on its students. Children who go against the grain are not welcome at Welton, and Neil pays the ultimate price for doing so.