Dead Poets Society ending explained: What happens to John Keating in the end?

Peter Weir's most loved classic Dead Poets Society has been a larger-than-life inspiration for the genre of dark academia for more than three decades. Starring Robin Williams as John Keating- a role that is highly regarded as one of his most beloved portrayals till date- the film explored the intricate beauty of youthful idealism, individualism, and the quiet rebellion against conformity.

Set against the backdrop of a mechanical educational institute, the Welton Academy, which is known to produce Ivy League students and renowned scientists, doctors, and businessmen, Keating's role brings poetic freshness to the robotic lives of the boys through poetry, art, and self-expression.

Although Dead Poets Society follows a hopeful, passionate, and poetic premise throughout the film, it ends on a bitter note that starkly contrasts its otherwise uplifting tone. Here's what the film's nuanced ending means and what fate it presents Keating with.

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What is Dead Poets Society about?

The film follows a set of boys at Welton who are aiming to live up to the high expectations set by their strict school and their families. Centered in the lot is Neil Perry, a brilliant student whose passion lies in drama and literature. His passion holds little importance in the eyes of his father, who insists he become a doctor, squashing his passion for acting. His roommate, Todd Anderson, is a shy, introverted boy with little to say, who undergoes a vivid transformation under Keating's guidance and Perry's friendship. Their classmates Knox and Charlie undergo similar transitions as the former grows more confident in expressing his affection for the woman he loves, and the latter challenges the authority of Welton and becomes braver.

John Keating joins the school as their English professor, and upon his arrival and his very first class, it's shown that he does not abide by the stereotypical characteristics of a regular teacher. Keating inspires the students to dream, follow their passion, and live life largely. Soon enough, as the boys investigate more of Keating's history with Welton, they discover that he was the founder of the Dead Poets Society, a group of boys dedicated to the art of poetry and the thrill of seizing the day. Intrigued and excited by this discovery, the boys decide to revive the Dead Poets Society in secret. They begin sneaking off to a nearby cave at night, where they read poetry, share their thoughts, and slowly begin to break free from the strict rules that govern their lives.

A central moment in the film that sets the tone for its bitter climax is when Neil gets caught by his father as he performs on stage as an actor. Joined by all his friends and Keating himself in the audience who support him, he delivers a stunning performance, earning everyone's praise as his dreams of becoming an actor take a leap. His father's intrusion becomes a turning point and a sharp jab at his dream, which leads to tragic consequences in the film's ending.

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What happens to Neil Perry in the end?

After a difficult conversation Neil has with his father, where he expresses his passion for acting but Mr. Perry decides to withdraw him from Welton and send him to military school, and insists he work hard to get into Harvard and become a doctor. Neil tries to protest, but his father glares at him, and in what becomes one of the most tragic scenes in the film, Neil quietly surrenders. He speaks his last lines in the film as he tells his mother,

"I was good. I was really good."

As the night falls, Neil lays down all his belongings on his bed, strips himself and in a final moment, wears the crown of twigs he wore on stage when he acted as he stares out at the night sky. Soon after, he goes to his father's study, opens a drawer, revealing a pistol wrapped in a cloth. In an impossible web of being forced to follow a life without passion and his own authority, Neil takes his own life.

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Does John Keating continue to work at Welton?

Neil's death has harsh consequences for Keating, who gets blamed for brainwashing Neil to follow his passion. One of the students, Cameron, spills everything about Keating and society onto the principal in an attempt to save himself from any further punishment. He insists his classmates follow suit, who refuse and hesitate at first, but later give in. As a result, Keating is sacked from his job and is replaced by the principal, Mr. Nolan.

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The ending of Dead Poets Society and what it means

In one of his early lessons, Keating hops up onto his own desk and says,

"I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way."

Then, he invites the boys to do the same—to step up and literally see the world from a new angle. This scene becomes a core part of Keating and how he imparts his knowledge on the boys, setting the premise for the film's climax.

As Keating returns to the classroom to take his belongings, Todd blurts out how the administration made the boys sign the papers that were responsible for Keating getting fired. He responds by saying he knows it and is about to leave the classroom when Todd calls back and stands up on his desk, reciting the lines from Walt Whitman's poem O Captain! My Captain!- a reference to Keating's earlier classes when he taught about the poet.

More students follow, as everyone, one by one, hops on their desks- giving Keating a proper and respectful goodbye as he looks back, teary-eyed. Leaving the classroom, in a final glance as he looks at all the students standing on their desks, Keating says, smiling,

Thank you, boys. Thank you.

Dead Poets Society is available to stream on Prime Video.