How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Dead Poets Society.
Quote #1
FACULTY MEMBER: (Instructing another man) You're going to follow along the procession until you get to the headmaster. At that point, he will indicate to you to light the candles of the boys.
Doing the ceremonial candle-lighting correctly is of great importance to Welton's administration. Does ritual always play an important part of tradition? In the film, it does. Students wear the same uniforms they've always worn, and light the candles in the same way they've always lit them. They take it all very seriously.
Quote #2
HEADMASTER NOLAN: (Sermonizing) One hundred years ago, in 1859, forty-one boys sat in this room and were asked the same question that now greets you at the start of each semester. Gentlemen: what are the four pillars?
STUDENTS: Tradition, Honor, Discipline, Excellence.
Ah, the "four pillars." These represent the values that Welton holds dearest. Notice which comes first? Tradition. There's another thing to notice: the way Headmaster Nolan phrases the question. He makes sure students know that even the asking of the question is part of the tradition of Welton. These guys have traditions upon traditions.
Quote #3
HEADMASTER NOLAN: Last year we graduated fifty-one. And more than 75% of those went on to the Ivy League. This kind of accomplishment is the result of fervent dedication to the principles taught here. This is why you parents have been sending us your sons. This is why we are the best preparatory school in the United States.
It's observance of the traditions of Welton, the headmaster says, that results in such high Ivy League placement. And Ivy League placement usually indicates success, at least in the world of the film. At Welton, you can be practically guaranteed that success if you participate in the way things work, and have always worked.