'Dead Poets Society' film summary and analysis

- the story is placed in 1959 - it?s about a school in America, called Welton Academy - the school is near the remote hills of Vermont - was founded in 1859 - it?s a private school (in BE: "comprehensive school") - you have to pay for this school - this school is an old boys elite school - the school looks like a church - all new pupils are assembled in the school - the headmaster Dean (Dekan) Nolan makes a speech about the four pillars of the school:o "tradition", defined as the love of school, country and family (Tradition) o "honor", dignity and the fulfilment of duty (Ehre) o "discipline", the respect for parents, teachers and headmaster (Disziplin) o "excellence", the result of hard work. It?s the key to all success, in school and everywhere (Leistung)- over 75 percent go every year to Ivy League schools (Elite-Schulen) - after the speech Mr. Nolan presents the new English teacher: Mr Keating - the former teacher, Mr. Portius, is out of work, because he is too old - there is a new student at school, called Todd Anderson - his brother Jeffrey was one of the best at Welton Academy => Todd is under great pressure to fulfil the expectations - the headmaster has a brief conversation with Todd, his parents and also with Neil and Mr. Perry