Neil Perry If I were ever going to buy a deskset twice, I'd probably buy this one... both times.
Played by Robert Sean Leonard 
Dead Poets Society (1989) · 62 quotes
Dead Poets Society (1989) · 62 quotes
2nd most-quoted character in Dead Poets Society (1989): in 11 of its 62 quotes
Most scenes with: John Keating (3)
It was a dark and rainy night, and this old lady, who had a passion for jigsaw puzzles, sat by herself in her house at her table to complete a new jigsaw puzzle. But as she pieced the puzzle together, she realized, to her astonishment, that the image that was formed was her very own room. And the figure in the center of the puzzle, as she completed it, was herself. And with trembling hands, she placed the last four pieces and stared in horror at the face of a demented madman at the window. The last thing that this old lady ever heard was the sound of breaking glass.
More lines from Neil Perry
4 quotes Neil Perry Neil Perry I mean, I haven't even gotten the part yet. Can't I even enjoy the idea for a little while?
Neil Perry If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumber'd here While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream, Gentles, do not reprehend: if you pardon, we will mend: And, as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue, We will make amends ere long; Else the Puck a liar call; So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends.
Neil Perry [Quoting Henry David Thoreau]
I went into the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life... to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
Scenes with Neil Perry
6 scenes Neil [Todd's present is the same as last year, a desk set he does not even like.]
I mean, if I was ever going to buy a desk set... twice! I would probably buy this one, both times! In fact, its shape is rather aerodynamic isn't it? You can feel it. This desk set wants to fly!
Neil [Neil hands the desk set to Todd]
Todd? The world's first un-manned flying desk set!
Neil [Todd throws it off the roof]
Oh my! Well, I wouldn't worry, you'll get another one next year.
Why do we need language?
Neil To communicate...
Nooo! To woo women!
Neil You kicked out?
No.
Neil What happened?
I'm to apologize to the school, turn everyone in, and all will be forgiven.
Neil What are you gunna do? ... Charlie?
DAMN IT NEIL... the name's Nuwanda...
Language was developed for one endeavor, and that is… Mr. Anderson? Come on, are you a man or an amoeba? [pause] Mr. Perry?
Neil To communicate.
No! To woo women!
Neil Perry I just talked to my father. He's making me quit the play at Henley Hall. Acting's everything to me. I- But he doesn't know! He- I can see his point; we're not a rich family, like Charlie's. We- But he's planning the rest of my life for me, and I- He's never asked me what I want!
Have you ever told your father what you just told me? About your passion for acting? You ever showed him that?
Neil Perry I can't.
Why not?
Neil Perry I can't talk to him this way.
Then you're acting for him, too. You're playing the part of the dutiful son. Now, I know this sounds impossible, but you have to talk to him. You have to show him who you are, what your heart is.
Neil Perry I know what he'll say. He'll tell me that acting's a whim and I should forget it. They're counting on me; he'll just tell me to put it out of my mind for my own good.
You are not an indentured servant. It's not a whim for you. You prove it to him by your conviction and your passion. You show that to him, and if he still doesn't believe you - well, by then, you'll be out of school and can do anything you want.
Neil Perry No. What about the play? The show's tomorrow night!
Then you have to talk to him before tomorrow night.
Neil Perry Isn't there an easier way?
No.
Neil Perry [laughs]
I'm trapped!
No you're not.
Mr. Perry
[Neil's father has just driven him home from his performance in A Midsummer Night's Dream]
We're trying very hard to understand why it is that you insist on defying us. Whatever the reason, we're not gonna let you ruin your life. Tomorrow I'm withdrawing you from Welton and enrolling you in Braighton Military School. You're going to Harvard, and you're gonna be a doctor.
Neil But, that's ten more years! Father, that's a lifetime!
Mr. Perry
Oh, stop it! Don't be so dramatic! You make it sound like a prison term! You don't understand, Neil! You have opportunities that I never even dreamt of, and I am not going to let you waste them!
Neil I've got to tell you what I feel!
Mrs. Perry
We've been so worried about you!
Mr. Perry
What? What? Tell me what you feel! What is it? Is it more of this, this acting business? Because you can forget that! What?
Neil [pauses]
Nothing.
Mr. Perry
[pauses]
Nothing? Well, then, let's go to bed.
