A scene from Dead Poets Society 1989
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.

In this scene

Neil Perry Robert Sean Leonard More Neil quotes →

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