It’s great that you can shed some different light on the movie so that we get to flesh it out in even more detail.

I agree with your definitions of the traditional male role model. On that level of development, family is extremely important, and the nation/society is a felt extension of the nuclear family. Assigning my family and the “nation-family” greater value than other families gives rise to ethnocentrism.

With industrialization and modernity came free trade and careers for everyone with the proper skills. The best performers in the marketplace are the ones who recognize all races and creeds as essentially of equal worth, because they have a greater talent pool. It’s simply more cost efficient.

To me it seems that Neil’s father is a very traditional man, with some understanding of the values inherent in the modern worldview. Welton seems stuck between the traditional and the modern, clearly evident in the four pillars tradition, honour, discipline, and excellence.

Now, as you point out, Keating represents something new. Yes, he represents individualism, but it is not the nasty sort we have come to know in postmodernity. And yes, he represents personal fulfillment, but it’s not of the narcissistic culture of entitlement that we have also seen in postmodernity.

Keating represents something else entirely, he represents a path with heart. Only on that path is there TRUE service of society, because it is not bound by the fears of “what will others think?”.

About love and fear: development IS the increase of love and the decrease of fear. Ethnocentrism (the traditional) is a much more fearful place to be than postmodernity (because of the “size of the family”). And yet, the values of the traditional are the very things that postmodernity fears the most, and accordingly needs to integrate the most.

Evolution is a strange business. Which is why we need mentors.

I dont fint it to be about fear and love, but old and new. Is it the same? Was the old way fearful, is the new full of love? Yes and no, but the opposite could also be said to be true.

To me the school and the father represents the old, the traditional male role. (traditionl only in the sense of beeing hegemoneus in this context, the role in itself may not be older than the industrialisation, wich ment a sharp turn for the malerole, or the second world war, wich meant yet another sharp turn for the male role.)

The old male role is about service to society. It is not about individual fullfillment, not about creating a fruitful and happy life for oneself, but rather to take responsibilty for the safety and growth of society (most often translated into women and children) at the COST of having a fruitful and happy life for yourself.

This is a sacrifice that is demanded and expected of all men, and a man who does not offer his life for these ideals are dispised and considered a coward. A caring (not using loving here) father will quickly try to remove any trace of kontraproductive behaviour (as having emotions/dreams/personal ambitions etc) in their sons, preparing them and easing them into their roles in society. This is expected and demanded of the fathers. The male role is a sacrificing one, and what they sacrifice is not only their bodies and their lives, but their happiness and soul.

This is what the father and the old school traditions represents to me. The students are not thaught. They are formed. Maybe in some twisted way it is out of love, helping these boys to grow into men (as they see it) and helping them to avoid to become a pariah of societey.

Keating represents a new way. Individualism and personal fullfillment, not collectivism and personal sacrifice. Another kind of responsibility, not for others, but for oneself. For your own emotions, for your own ambitions, for your one life. Capre Diem becomes the mantra for this notion, noone else will live your life for you, only you, make the best of it.

This new path is a way of growth, not rebellion. This is represented by Keatings insistence that Neil discuss his plans of actorship with his father. In conflict is growth, by owning up to our fears we overcome them, we grow, mature, and truly become men. Neil fails this, runs from the dragon (his father) and tries to have the princess (acting) all the same. Im not that much into Bly, but he talks about ritual and initiation, and I believe in this instance Neil refueses both, he does not become a man, he does not start taking responsibility for himself, and in the end he dies unhappy and unsatisfied, trapped in a role where his heart have no room.

Keatings, to me, represents the mentor. The wise person who can open up our eyes, help us help our selves, and hold our hand during our journey. Neil is someone who sorely needs this help, while Todd probably would have found his way on his own sooner or later anyway.

I might come back later to add to this. Sadly working life steals most of my energy and tiredness most of my creativity.