The decision of what to do and make of life usually confronts most people in adolescence. At two private schools, boys learn that choices can affect their lives for years to come. In A Separate Peace, the boys learn the benefits of conformity, while the boys in Dead Poet's Society learn to break free of conformity and express themselves; both novels are of the buildings roman, or coming of age, genre.

Gene believes that following the rigid conformity of Devon will be the best coarse of action. When Finny wishes to leap off the forbidden tree, Gene feels that it is more important to study: "Studying! I snarled. Studying! You know, books. Work. Examinations" (Knowles 49). Gene believes that holding true to the rigid conformity will be in his best interest. By staying in doors to study, Gene enhances his chances to improve his scores on future examinations. To...