Dead Poets Society Conformity Analysis

In the film of “Dead Poets Society” by Peter Weir, Conformity and challenging it was a major and a recognizable theme in the film due to the tradition and school’s rules. Conformity is perceived as keeping to accepted rules; it is an action in accord with prevailing social standards, practices, and etc. Conformity was a powerful theme that was viewed both positively and negatively throughout the film. It is given importance and attention through the characters’ actions and dialogues.
The opening scene of the film where all the students of Welton Academy are gathered up wearing the same uniforms and reciting the four pillars of success (Tradition, Honor, Discipline, Excellence). Reciting the school’s motto and wearing the same uniform shows how the students of Welton are treated the same and each one of
Keating. The Academy held Mr. Keating the responsibility for Neil’s death because he taught him not to conform and fired him. The academy tries its hardest to hold on to conformity and not break any rule in any circumstance. It doesn’t care about the right nor the wrong. All it cares about is following the motto of the school, and that is why Nolan had to fire Keating. He only did it for the sake of his profession. Although Welton is trying to have a perfect image for the school, but it leaves the students unhappy. In the final scene when Todd fights conformity and rises up his confidence in front of the principle and stands up on his desk and recite “O’ captain, my captain.” The students then stood up with Todd and supported him while the principle was getting angry and yelling at them telling them to sit down. The kids refused to get down and sell out Mr. Keating. The problem though is that about one third of the class didn’t rise up with the others for the salutation because they were scared from breaking the rules. They failed to fight