Dead Poets Society

In Peter Weir's 1989 film, Dead Poets Society, the military like structure and wide range of ages in the boys depicts Welton's motto of tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence. The ideal image on the walls meeting the incoming boys implies a stern and sophisticated  schooling system but the emotion from the boys that do not want to attend says otherwise. In the church like building where the meeting is held the "light of knowledge" is highly prized by the elders and parents but the students seem to be more worried about impressing and meeting the cut. As the bagpipes play and the boys march in with the flags, it seems to be more like a rush for a fraternity but rather in a more proper manner. This contrasts the more playful and joking manner of the boys once the ceremony is over and they are back with their friends where they do not have to worry about impressing the dean. The school's name and its reputation for being the best boarding school in America has put pressure on the boys and emphasized education more then anything but in reality just made them more crafty in their teenage boy ways.