Poetic Answers #7

Here are your responses to the seventh question which asks how the poetry book made it into Neil's room. And if Keating put it there, why would he do that, knowing the present administration would not look favorably on it?

markievich: I think Mr. Keating did put the poetry book in Neil's room. I also think he put it there even though he knew that the administration wouldn't like it, he was trying to teach the boys to think for themselves, and not always do what people tell them to do. I think he knew that Neil was ready to do things for himself, his father just wouldn't let him. I think that is why he gave him the book, even though he knew the administration wouldn't like it.

Lex: Keating put the book in his room, that much is obvious. Regardless of what the administration would frown on, that isn't what Keating is all about. Keating uses his class to teach not only poetry, but to teach the boys how to think for themselves and make the most of their lives. Sometimes that involves breaking the rules. It is possible to break

EllaSFOT@aol.com: Mr. Keating had to put it there. Why? When he was asked about the Society, he knew then that the interest was there. Yet, the boys needed a little more information. Already, at this early stage, he could see the interest the boys had and the flame in their eyes. He knew, that given a little prodding, the boys' interest would grow, just as his did in his younger days. So, it was wrong to sneak out and participate when he was in school, and it was considered wrong now. Big deal for his helping them. He was a teacher, not a priest. What good was it to be a teacher, if he couldn't help his students "seize life?"
Kristian: I think that Mr Keating put the book into Neil’s room. Because he wanted them to start the club again. Because they wanted excitement.

Jason Harris: Of course Keating ut the book there, who else would have. The reason Keating placed the book there was because he saw that the boys weren't really into poetry and he knew what a beautiful thing poetry is and he thought this would be a way to get the boys interseted. And I am sure he also didn't see any harm in it.

Sylvia: I think Keating gave them the book to see what would happen. Maybe it's a test, an experiment. Or - I've got a suspicious mind - he warns them publicly, covering himself (but of course he must know about "forbidden fruit") then gives them the book on the sly - it's possible to read DPS as the story of "Keating's attempted revenge on Welton", whether conscious or (more likely) unconscious. Keating casts himself as a hero, challenging his hated old school in order to free its current generation of victims. But when Charlie says, "schools go down because of things like this", maybe he's bringing a hidden wish into the open. In the event, one assumes the school survives while (thanks to their classroom protest) most of the senior boys are expelled along with Keating; but the boy who most resembled Keating himself, his spiritual successor as re-convener of the Society, is dead. Keating has betrayed and destroyed himself in the form of Neil. What price a vengeance which the avenger has represented to himself as a liberating crusade?

Class of 99 Alberton , South Africa: I think They found it in the library or it was one of the reference books, because not once do they show it to Keating nor do they discuss why he would do such a thing against his own words.

Du Toit Albertus: I think Keating put it there. I think he enjoyed the idea of a new DPS being created in school, a bit of a trip down nostalgia lane.

BACK