Neil Perry Character Analysis

Neil Perry is a popular, idealistic student at Welton, and one of Keating’s most loyal disciples. As Todd Anderson’s roommate, Neil is instrumental in inspiring Todd to be bolder and more confident. For his own part, Neil is highly intimidated by his father, Mr. Perry, and yearns to find a way to rebel against his family. In John Keating, Neil thinks he’s found a model for rebellion. Neil decides he’s going to become an actor, and gets a part in a school Shakespeare production, lying to his father in the process. When Mr. Perry finds out the truth, he’s so furious with Neil that Neil shoots himself with his father’s revolver, sure that his family will never support his dreams. Neil’s death sets in motion the final chapters of the novel, in which Welton Academy tries to find a suitable scapegoat for his death. In all, Neil Perry is a tragic example of how Keating’s love of freedom and art can go terribly wrong—Neil is arguably more rebellious than Keating himself, to the point where he’s willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of his beliefs.