<P> In the autumn of 1959, shy Todd Anderson begins his senior year of high school at Welton Academy, an all - male, elite prep school . He is assigned one of Welton's most promising students, Neil Perry, as his roommate and is quickly accepted by Neil's friends: Knox Overstreet, Richard Cameron, Steven Meeks, Gerard Pitts, and Charlie Dalton . </P> <P> On the first day of classes, they are surprised by the unorthodox teaching methods of the new English teacher John Keating, a Welton alumnus who encourages his students to "make your lives extraordinary", a sentiment he summarizes with the Latin expression carpe diem . Subsequent lessons include having them take turns standing on his desk to teach the boys how they must look at life in a different way, telling them to rip out the introduction of their poetry books which explains a mathematical formula used for rating poetry, and inviting them to make up their own style of walking in a courtyard to encourage them to be individuals . His methods attract the attention of strict headmaster Gale Nolan . </P> <P> Upon learning that Keating was a member of the unsanctioned Dead Poets Society while he was at Welton, Neil restarts the club and he and his friends sneak off campus to a cave where they read poetry and verse, including their own compositions . As the school year progresses, Keating's lessons and their involvement with the club encourage them to live their lives on their own terms . Knox pursues Chris Noel, a girl who is dating a football player from a public school and whose family is friends with his . Neil discovers his love of acting and gets the role as Puck in a local production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, despite the fact that his domineering father wants him in the Ivy League (and ultimately medical school). Keating helps Todd come out of his shell and realize his potential when he takes him through an exercise in self - expression, resulting in his composing a poem spontaneously in front of the class . </P> <P> However, Charlie takes things too far when he publishes an article in the school newspaper in the club's name demanding that girls be admitted to Welton . Nolan uses corporal punishment to coerce Charlie into revealing who else is in the Dead Poets Society, but he resists . Nolan also speaks with Keating, warning him that he should discourage his students from questioning authority . </P>

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