Mr. Keating is a supporting character in Dead Poet’s Society. He is first introduced towards the beginning of the story when the boys first enter his class. Mr. Keating is one of the students’ favorite teachers at the tough school known as Welton Academy. This is because of his style of teaching and interaction with the students who attend his class.
The boys see Mr. Keating more as friend than their teacher. He is the first person the students will turn to for advice because of his way with words. He was the one who introduced the Dead Poet’s Society to the group of main characters in the novel. Also, the boys look forward to going to his class everyday and learning from interesting styles of teaching.
Readers are able to learn that Mr. Keating is a round static character. We learn that he has an interesting personality. Although he is a teacher, he cares about his students in a way that no other teacher does at Welton Academy. We know how he might react in terms of helping others. Yet at the same time, Mr. Keating as a person does not change throughout the novel. He is always the student’s role model and the person who will always be there for the people he cares about no matter what.
Supporting quotes:
“Finally Keating stood, picked up a yard stick, and started strolling up and down the aisles. He stopped and stared into the face of one of the boys” (23).
“Keating smiled. ‘Both sexes participated, Mr. Overstreet. And believe , we didn’t simply read, we let it drip from our tongues like honey, Women swooned, spirits soared . . . gods were created, gentlemen'” (47).
“The boys listened intently. Then suddenly Keating leaped up on his desk” (60).
“…the boys insisted that Mr. Keating might be able to help Neil solve his problems” (120).
Dead Poet's Society 