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Along with the plot comes the true significance of this movie, and that is its sound. A major portion of this film is based on poetry and with this poetry comes its distinct musicality. In class while reading aloud, the poems take a form, and for that instant it's in the sound. Later while the society is reciting poems in their asylum (a cave on the grounds) they are freed. They are free of limitations set by parents, professors, and of the boundaries they have set for themselves to fall in line with Welton's (school) norms. In this freedom, they allow themselves to play bongos, kazoos, and other assorted items to go to the beat of the poems or the beat they hear in their own minds". These limitations are brought to surface in a demonstration Keating has with his class where he has everyone walk in a circle and eventually they all fall in step. Not only do they fall in step but those watching begin to clap in rhythm. The sound interlocks the rhythm with our senses in being able to feel the sound through touch or sight of touch. But aside from the poetry is the flow of the dialogue. The dialogue and conversations seem to have a remarkable flow to them which keeps the film moving smoothly along. I"m amazed at the pacing the movie has because it just does not have a moment that you think "get on with it already," as most movies do. .
Even more striking to me than the ensemble sound of the film is on the contrary, its lack of sound. The film's theme signifies standing up, challenging, and taking in every moment hence Carpe Diem, and voicing these thoughts. Yet, Robert Sean Leonard's character, Neil Perry, one of the Society members who is most taken with Keating's ideals is the one who in the end is silent. This silence will take you aback and make you feel which is quite notable for something lacking, but like I said earlier all of the elements work together in a force unlike any other.