How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Dead Poets Society.
Quote #7
HEADMASTER NOLAN: John, the curriculum here is set. It's proven it works. If you question it, what's to prevent them from doing the same?
MR. KEATING: I always thought the idea of education was to learn to think for yourself.
HEADMASTER NOLAN:At these boys' age? Not on your life. Tradition, John. Discipline. Prepare them for college and the rest will take care of itself.
In an exchange that speaks for itself, Headmaster Nolan chastises Mr. Keating for teaching the boys about the dangers of conformity. Tradition works, he argues, and Welton's tradition is proven to get them into college. It's the first warning John receives, and a hint at what is to come. Eschewing tradition does not go over well at Welton.