dead poets society

Welton academy is a very conservative, white, wealthy private school in the 1950's. Conformity to certain values is enforced. Their narrow view success is defined in Welton's four pillars,Tradition, Honor, Discipline, and Excellence. Consequently, many of the main characters, like Charlie and Neil, are introduced as being prone to a certain level of rebellion from the film’s beginning, as with their vulgar reinterpretation of the school’s four pillars. Others must work their way up to the idea, like Cameron, Knox, and Todd, who initially hesitate at the idea of forming the Society.