I think the boys felt like they NEEDED to rebel in order to become themselves. Their teacher definitely inspired them to learn how to be free spirits. They created their own club which was transcendentalism in itself. They disobeyed their administrative and met in this little cave to talk about poetry. Though sometimes it was more of just a hangout. They refused to conform to the rest of the school and started to go to parties, seeing girls, and acting in plays. Self reliance is somewhat underlying in this movie. The boys had to rely on themselves to stay sane. They were constantly trying to escape the horrendous school, but they needed self reliance in order to make it out. They didn't know who could turn on them so although they were a group,
