This is the story of students at the respected "Welton Academy," a preparatory school in Vermont.Such schools were (and often still are) very conservative institutions that serve as high schools for parents who insist on sending their children to the best universities.Welton,like many prep schools,admitted only boys.The movie takes place in 1959.
The plot centers on the influence of Mr.Keating,a young and exciting English and poetry teacher,who is determined to teach his students to live life with absolute passion.Mr.Keating,using poetry as his vehicle,teaches his students to challenge the institutions around them.
Inspired by Mr.Keating's philosophy of life,many of his students recreate the "Dead Poet's Society," a secret club which meets in a cave in order to discuss poetry,philosophy and other topics.The club,which Mr.Keating had created many years earlier when he was a student at Welton,would be completely unacceptable to the conservative school,which discourages students from "thinking for themselves." Indeed,Welton students should be in their rooms,studying only the prescribed materials that their teachers assign.
This movie is about what happens when these students decide to pursue their own desires,and to live life with the passion that Mr.Keating encouraged.Ultimately,it is about what happens when a few idealistic students find themselves confronted against conservative forces that resist
all change,including the drive for personal self-determination.
