MovieChat Forums > Dead Poets Society (1989) Discussion > Short scene with Latin teacher outside n...

Short scene with Latin teacher outside near end of film


There was a short scene near the end where the Latin teacher (who gradually appeared to befriend Keating, judging from the short scenes they shared together) was walking outside with a handful of students, telling them the Latin words for various things they were passing/looking at. Keating is shown looking down from the tower and sharing a smile with his colleague.

It was a very short scene and at first glance apparently inconsequential, but I am wondering if this was quite an important statement - that the Latin teacher is tentatively following Keating's style and making his lessons that little bit more unorthodox and interesting. I think it could be an important scene, a sign of possible things to come in the future, and inspiration from Keating - that he has made a positive influence on at least some of his colleagues, as well as his pupils.

reply

Excellent post. I've made many comments on here about however much you might detest Noland his actions weren't malicious insofar as he felt he had a duty to make sure that the sons of very powerful and wealthy people ended up at Ivy League schools. Keating's style, however well intended, went contrary to that. Mr McAllister seemed to be the bridge between the two. I don't even think it was a gradual friendship between him and Keating; I think he respected and admired him right off the bat but just wasn't ready to kick against the tracers so to speak. His character was the typical torn between two worlds.

We have to show the world that not all of us are like him: Henning von Tresckow.

reply

The Latin teacher has learnt from Keating's experiences but knows how to keep things in bounds... which is good. Keating's legacy lives on - but without the bad bits.

--
It's not "Sci-Fi", it's "SF"!

"Calvinism is a very liberal religious ethos." - Truekiwijoker

reply

Yes, the point there was that McAllister, who had questioned Keating's methods earlier, realized that he could use some of the same teaching methods to make his class more interesting. He takes them outside and uses the Latin phrases to describe the buildings, which he wouldn't have done earlier. The only difference between him and Keating is he is not going to rock the boat with the administration. He will still follow guidelines to some degree. Glad you brought it up because I thought of that years ago.

reply