e. acting) While Todd learned that he could express himself by means of his thoughts and emotions, Neil didn't. At the end of Neil's life, he still couldn't stand up to his father outside the role of Puck, whereas Todd stood upon his desk to show his loyalty to Keating's teachings. This doesn't mean that Todd and Neil were opposites, as Neil and Cameron/Mr. Perry/the school were. .
Neil: Family wants him to become a doctor when his heart is in acting; is always a romantic (madman in Todd's poem). .
Analysis.
Neil's character always remains static - meaning he does not undergo a change in his character at any time during the movie. Just because he died at the end does not mean that he changed. .
I believe his life was an act - to his father, to Keating, even to himself, but when he wasn't acting, he thought he had nothing to contribute - he was just as lost as Todd was when Todd first came to Welton. Neil couldn't deal with the idea that to give up acting was to quit playing the roles that he lived everyday, and so he killed himself because he "realized that he had not lived" up to that point. I can't think of any justification for calling Neil a martyr when the only thing he stood for was an act - an illusion - in itself. He just took on a different role to fit the circumstance. He never was upfront and honest about his passions to anyone. .
He even lied to Keating about his father giving him permission to act because he knew that Keating would disapprove if he knew Neil's father wouldn't allow it. He says (in one of the extra scenes), "Think about it, most people, if they're lucky, get to lead half an exciting life, right? If I get the parts I could live dozens of great lives." I think that could be interpreted to mean that Neil wanted to be someone else - a person who could express his passions when the time was appropriate.
Neil seems thrilled at the idea that he may be able to contribute a verse.