John Keating is an English teacher at Welton Academy in a private upper class school located in Vermont in 1959. Keating is played by Robin Williams who uses unorthodox methods to introduce and inspire his students to fall in love with poetry and to think independently. Keating was a part of a secret literary club named the “Dead Poets Society”, when he attended the school which his students resurrected. The eccentricities of Keating were unsettling to parents with strong ties to tradition at Welton Academy. When student Neil Perry decided to pursue acting and is casted in a play, his father yanks him out of school and orders him to attend a military academy so he can attend Harvard University and become a medical doctor. Neil confided in Keating, and the teacher encouraged him to follow his dream of acting. Neil’s father’s disapproval and pressure to conform, led Neil to commit suicide. Neil’s parents appealed to the school’s board and Keating was subsequently fired after the drama.

~ Corine Gatti